Modern will meet gothic in new Conexus building
While the design unveiling is nearly a year away, the new Conexus Credit Union should match the rest of the College Avenue Campus.
P3Architecture (P3A), which is already working on the historic University of Regina campus’s revitalization, has been tasked with designing the next phase.
P3A principal architect James Youck said the early plan for Conexus is a respectful building that will enhance, but not overtake, the campus. “It’s not going to be something like, say, the addition to the Royal Ontario Museum where it’s this incredible steel spiky sculpture next to an old heritage building,” said Youck.
P3A has worked on the campus renewal since July 2015. It unveiled the design for its ongoing project in March, a new build incorporating the Conservatory facade, tower and renovation of the College Building.
That project is a “distinctly modern interpretation of gothic architecture,” said Youck — neither an exact replica of the old buildings, nor a “dramatic sort of statement.”
The Conexus build will be done in a similar vein.
“The stars of the show are the heritage buildings and it’s not about stealing thunder from those heritage buildings; it’s about being complementary to them,” Youck added.
Through a request-for-proposals process, Conexus chose P3A for its background in heritage architecture and its current work on the College Avenue Campus, said Cary Ransome, chief operating officer of Conexus Credit Union.
“We like to surround our members with experts when it comes to providing advice, and that’s what we’ve tried to do is surround ourselves with what we view as the experts,” said Ransome.
“We want to make sure we get this right. That’s important to us,” he added.
Vancouver-based heritage consultant Donald Luxton will be involved in this design process, like he was in P3A’s previous design.
The Conexus Credit Union office will be located west of Darke Hall, which was built in 1929. The company is donating up to $8.25 million to the U of R and will lease the space for 90 years, after which time the building will be turned over to the university.
In addition to Conexus corporate offices, the space will include a business incubator for local entrepreneurs, a public area and an atrium.
While some Reginans are upset about a business moving into the park, Youck said it fits with Wascana Centre’s history and reality.
“The original intention of the park was that it would be lined with commercial ventures and it already largely is, with the other buildings that ring that perimeter along College and Broad Street and even up and down Albert,” said Youck.
“So in my mind it’s very consistent and as long as the intervention, the architecture, is done in a very sensitive and thoughtful way; it’s just part of the evolution of College Avenue Campus.”
Unlike most architectural projects, P3A’s last design was finalized only after construction was well underway.
Youck said the Conexus build will take more time.
P3A is beginning discussions with Conexus to determine what the company needs from the space, as well as design concepts and sustainability ideas.
The Conexus building design should be ready by spring of 2018.
Youck commended his team for its work.