Health and wellness for rural and urban under one sinuous roof.

Nestled in the rolling hills of the northwest corner of Calgary, the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge is a regional hub of physical activity and a multipurpose gathering space for the community. The aim of this facility is to provide the northwest edge of Calgary with essential health and wellness services. It will provide a place for gathering for a diverse community and arts programs, for health and wellness opportunities and child care services.

Conceptually, the approach for the Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge is to create a low, horizontal building form that is stitched into the landscape, expressing and complementing the natural contours of the site. Integrating the facility into this park-like setting provides the community with natural recreation opportunities. Multiple pathways curve throughout the site linking to the regional pathway system and connecting the community to the reconstructed wetland, the recreation facility and the hill.

All program elements of this building are set beneath a curved, undulating laminated timber roof structure that links the spaces together and responds to their individual height requirements. The ribbon-like form of the façade creates large curving expanses of glulam-supported high-performance glazing, accommodating key views from within the facility while selectively revealing the activity within to passersby. The glulam glazing supports provide warmth to the interior material palette while their depth and placement reduce glare from the low evening sun.

The Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge has been designed to be an open and active facility, integrated into the regional landscape. Targeting LEED Gold, the facility is taking steps to ensure the greenfield site is carefully enhanced while continuing to function as habitat for existing wildlife.