Ontario's Celebration Zone

Toronto, ON

The challenge of Ontario’s Celebration Zone for the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games was to create two large-scale, temporary structures that could be fully erected in 72 hours within the confines of Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre and house a line-up of more than 500 events, including concerts and activities. To achieve this, Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA) turned to the inflatable building industry. Working with the expertise of Tectoniks UK, HPA developed two dynamic, undulating pavilions framing open views of Toronto’s waterfront while creating a dramatic art installation in the urban landscape. The design creates a sense of occasion and can accommodate 1,500 people at a time, including provisions for cultural exhibits, large-scale digital media, headline concerts, and food services.

Project Facts
Client
Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation
Location
Toronto, ON
Status
Completed 2015
Size
4,000 - 13,000 sq. ft.
Partner
Siamak Hariri

Built with only two materials—tensile membrane fabric and compressed air—the two pavilions cover approximately 13,000 and 4,000 square feet respectively. Due to the long span, complex shape, oversized openings, and high wind loads at Toronto’s waterfront, a highly detailed structural analysis had to be conducted to ensure the structures were safe.

The structures were inflated in less than 36 hours. Inventive lighting and sound design brought alive the 38-day, day-and-night celebration, as the structures morphed from translucent white during the day to warm pink and blue at night—all the while creating a light and breezy venue for Toronto’s summer enjoyment.