Vivo for Healthier Generations
A new model for health and wellness
Civic & Culture, Healthcare & Wellness
Vivo is on a mission to raise healthier generations in Calgary and beyond. The Vivo team challenged itself to ask who is not coming to places like Vivo and wanted to know how Vivo could be a more welcoming and inclusive organization where more people can see themselves as changemakers for healthier generations in their own lives, with the community and for the planet.
Everything the organization does, including the expansion, is anchored to this vision. By design, the facility models and demonstrates innovation and healthy living leadership, expanding well beyond what has traditionally been expected of a sports and recreation space. A first-of-its-kind indoor park and outdoor community “hug” serves as much needed gathering space. Knowing that there are many cultures around the work that have public water spaces as a component of community life, the aquatic expansion was inspired by a nordic-spa experience with a firepit, different temperature water basins, accessible six-lane 25-m pool, cedar dry sauna and steam rooms. There are enhanced accessible fitness opportunities, boutique- style studios, certified LEED Gold green building strategies, and a social innovation collaboratory, so the community can continue to bring its ideas to life and much more.
- Location
- Calgary, AB
- Size
- 87,187 sq ft
- Client
- Vivo
- Completion
- 2024
- Sustainability Targeting LEED® Gold certification
- Collaborators
Back of Napkin Strategies Inc.
Benchmark Projects Ltd.
Costplan Management Ltd.
David Hewko Associates
FFA Consultants
Sereca Consulting Inc.- DIALOG Services
Architecture
Landscape Architecture
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Structural Engineering
Interior Design
50% of residents identify as a visible minority such as South Asian, Chinese, Black, Arab, Korean, Japanese and Filipino. Eastern philosophy-based elements (water, fire, earth, air, wood, and metal) were integrated through the facility to connect all ages, abilities, and cultures.
Almost tripling the current fitness area in size, the expanded aquatics centre features a cooler water six-lane 25-meter pool tank to complement the existing leisure pool.
It features two Zen studios, one spin room, an enclosed consultation space, and an equipment repair room.
Literally expressed in the architectural design is the boundless open/transparent connection to the community.
An interior park gathers people all year long, providing park space in the Alberta winter months.
The Team
‘Spontaneous Active Play’ leads the guidelines. What emerged was a design that offers flexible spaces for all ages and cultures to be spontaneous.
The rough sketch establishes the foundational shape for the building. Undulating inclusions merge the outside, in.
Skylights are imagined to create the even flow of light.
As light travels, so too the green spaces, establishing an internal garden.
Interior spaces and activities merge effortlessly with the outside world.
