The Ontario Pavilion for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games was designed as a physical and experiential gateway to Ontario. Evocative, light, shimmering and seductive; the pavilion provided a unique impression of Ontario’s lively character. With an exterior translucent screen projecting varying degrees of visibility, the structure prompted visitors to shift their perception of what defines transparency.
As a founding metaphor, the pavilion references Niagara Falls—one of Ontario’s most recognizable icons, and foremost gateways to Ontario. The Pavilion’s exterior enclosure mimics this energetic flow and misting of water, creating a lively shimmering surface to seduce visitors inside. This Pavilion has been designed to come alive, changing with different light and mood. The branded message of Ontario showcased the creative renewal and flourishing of this province and its citizens. The south perimeter of the Pavilion follows the southern geographical contour of Ontario, and embraces a lively outdoor activation space, used for mass displays promotions and queuing.
The exterior of the pavilion was richly animated by a systematic array of continuously up-lit, fabric wrapped panels and curtains of cable rope, integrated with medium resolution digitized LED array walls, capable of displaying large-scale panoramic video and messaging. The interior event space was designed to be completely flexible, while at the same time providing an adaptable venue for all activities.
2011 Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)—Design Excellence
2010 Canadian Institute of Steel Construction
CISC Innovation Award
2010 Design Exchange Awards Gold Medal—Temporary Structure
