DIALOG and Vivo have recently announced the opening of the reimagined Vivo for Healthier Generations facility in the northwest community of Country Hills, Calgary.
The architectural transformation expands the existing facility to 269,000 square feet and houses a 19,500 square-foot indoor park. It is also slated for LEED Gold certification.
Vivo’s original facility was built to serve 80,000 and upon completion, were already at capacity. As a result, Vivo partnered with DIALOG to expand its facility after being granted new funding from the government and the community.
The indoor park, market plaza, community garden, hub, youth areas, community courtyard and preschool are all meant to connect with different audiences.
Vivo’s structure takes into account Eastern and Western cultural influences and much of the existing building is based on Western cultures’ recreation and approach to health and wellness.
A winding path around the park outside the facility is complete with rolling hills. This contrasts with the main entrance of the building, which is a straight line from east to west and represents Western cultures’ interest in getting from point A to B. DIALOG also infused Eastern cultures’ approach to gathering, creating a round, “cloud-like” space within the facility as part of the transformation, which is intended to be a place of quiet and meditation.
The facility features a new six-lane, 4,878 square foot pool, fitness centre with dedicated studios, research lab, yoga studios, tinkering lab, classroom, spa with European steam and sauna rooms, outdoor activity space and community rooms. Vivo also features an indoor park, which is a literal moving space complete with physical and social activities.
The Green Space is also meant to be a direct physical response to the need for more social connection, and provides more gathering space for events.
In addition, the project has a strong dedication to sustainability through its LEED Gold target, on-site solar generation and commitment to measuring biophilia.
DIALOG partnered with EllisDon Construction on the expansion of Vivo for Healthier Generations.