Awards: 2000 AAA - Award of Merit, Prairie Design
Design Team: The project was designed and completed by Barry Johns Architects in 1996 prior to its merger with Stantec Architecture Ltd. Stantec Architecture Ltd. received an Alberta Association of Architects Prairie Design Award of Merit in 2000.
Structural: Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd.
Mechanical: Stantec Consulting Ltd. (Cheriton)
Electrical: Wasnea and Associates Engineering Ltd.
Contractor: PCL (Forest Construction Ltd.)
Project cost: $65/square foot
Photography: James Dow


The client is a Canadian organization providing supportive recreational environments for disadvantaged youth. Two schools, a church and community centre neighbour the school ground property on a major street in a typical residential subdivision. Sited on a residential street corner, the Boys and Girls Club ends the street axis and becomes the last community service building in the precinct.

The project evolved in collaboration with the program directors of the Edmonton organization. Visits to existing facilities and other social services facilities contributed to the research. The material palette developed first, with the highest priority being longevity and toughness of construction materials. Since these facilities operate on low budgets and high volunteerism, there is neither time nor money to spare on maintenance.

The parti developed from an articulated box and the curved roof of typical community halls found throughout the province. A tough recreational side faces the school and a layered, residential scale relates to the community. The plan splits functions between the club and community groups. The washroom and stair core defines these two zones while a central “street,” defined by the rhythm of the structural grid, connects the two. A mezzanine overlooking the club activity area provides office space for volunteer organizations.

Finishes are raw and tough - from the exposed steel structure and metal roof to an integral cavity/insulated concrete block wall system and exposed concrete floors. This project was completed for the meagre cost of $65 per square foot.

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