Philippe Fournier_Portfolio_2023

Under Water is a project proposing a new low-energy, natural
filtration swimming pool complex on the Toronto Islands. Situated
on the shoreline directly across from the city skyline, the building
takes advantage of this pristine view by having all of its pools
located on the roof, while underneath, selective use of glass floors
and walls in the pool tanks reveals swimmers to the programs
below and allow underwater sunlight to passively light the interior.
Sustainability principles were a key driver of the building’s design,
as it heavily incoroporates passive lighting, cooling and heating with
cross ventilation, solar gain and thermal mass and an east-west
linear form which maximizes solar exposure. The exterior envelope
is a consistent R-33 insulated concrete structural assembly with
limestone filled gabion wall cladding that grow vines in the summer
months, turning the exterior surfaces into a natural green wall.
Water from the pools is filtered by a closed loop natural system
incorporating hydrobotanic ponds and pathogen-eating plants.
Original Site Condition; Olympic Island
Contour line is reinforced w/ gabion walls
and concrete to create a podium for flood
protection, which is built to jut out into the
lake and provide full panoramic views of the
Toronto Skyline across the harbour
1 2 3
Building mass extrudes from podium;
two volumes w/ a promenade around all
perimeter walls
4
Existing path through site is rerouted along
an arc tangential to the centreline of both
bridges connecting Olympic Island to the
rest of Toronto Islands
New paths directly to the cafe, event space
and main foyer entrances as well as the
artificial beach are paved from tangents
along the main path’s curve
5 6
Most existing vegetation is kept intact while
trees removed during construction are
replanted densely along the tangential paths
to create a lush natural experience while
approaching the building.
17