Didama
Active Member
I guess it’s like modern art, and everyone sees something different. I just don’t get it.
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Universiade-pavilion aka 'The Butterdome' - envelope renewal
- Thread starter IanO
- Start date
archited
Senior Member
It's a bit of whimsy that has a folksy side -- not so much to do with architecture. In an odd way it is kind of like the Eiffel tower -- not all that pleasing to look at but has meaning on a different level.
Gronk!
Senior Member
Can’t believe it's not butter? Renovations could change shape, colour of Butterdome
$27M grant from provincial government will go toward renovations
Construction is set to begin next spring, to be completed by fall 2027.
Are there any renderings or designs available? It's hard to believe construction will begin next spring if those renderings/designs are a state secret.
archited
Senior Member
According to October 2025 reports, the specific design firm for the University of Alberta's Butterdome renovations has not yet been publicly identified. The director of infrastructure for the university, Anthony Hodge, stated that most of the details are still in the early stages.
Here is what is known about the process:
-- The university is prioritizing a new, sustainable exterior before finalizing the aesthetic details.
-- While the color and shape are important to people, the initial focus is on fixing structural issues like leaks and the energy inefficiency of the building.
-- The renewal is funded by a $27 million grant from the province.
-- The design will aim to solve problems with ice and snow falling from the roof in winter, which has increased operational costs for the university.
Here is what is known about the process:
-- The university is prioritizing a new, sustainable exterior before finalizing the aesthetic details.
-- While the color and shape are important to people, the initial focus is on fixing structural issues like leaks and the energy inefficiency of the building.
-- The renewal is funded by a $27 million grant from the province.
-- The design will aim to solve problems with ice and snow falling from the roof in winter, which has increased operational costs for the university.
itom987
Active Member
The butterdome needs a slice cut off by a large knife and a building needs to be built next to it looking like a piece of bread.
roe_
Active Member
I love European architecture, but it doesn't have to look European to be good architecture.
archited
Senior Member
Actually Edmonton has a real opportunity to develop its own architectural style but it is not currently paying attention to the possibilities.
SarcasticMarmot
Active Member
Well maybe if you started that architecture school we could get there
itom987
Active Member
Developing our architectural style could be our bread and butter!
archited
Senior Member
I envision wood and glass using timber framing with cross-laminated and glulam components with vast expanses of low-e laminated glass. Exposed grain in the wood members treated with stains or "shou sugi ban" (accents) that pick up a Prairie/Parkland sensibility. I have said it before... the advent of SuperWood makes now the ideal time for style experimentation to create an "Edmonton Idiom". We could outdo other places that have a style type (Santa Barbara comes to mind).
ryspot
New Member
Hopefully another piece of Bell Spotowski architecture retains some of its charm. First the Commonwealth addition, then the Law Courts atrium, now the Butterdome? At least the Edmonton Cemetery building on 107st doesn't have any development pending.
David A
Senior Member
Yes, it is distinctive and we don't have that many buildings which are. When you say Butterdome almost everyone knows what you are talking about.
constance_chlore
Active Member
The Bell Museum in St. Paul, MN might be good for some inspiration. Not necessarily for the Butterdome, but I think this style would fit in well in Edmonton.
archited
Senior Member
^ You've got it. There are so many advancements in wood both in a structural sense and from an aesthetic perspective and Edmonton sitting in the middle of a softwood forest of no small scale with Structural species like Lodgepole Pine and White Spruce. More decorative species with a fair diversity of graining and grain coloration include Tamarack, Birch and Poplar. Were you able to check out my link to SuperWood? https://www.inventwood.com/technology It should cause your forestry buds to salivate.
constance_chlore
Active Member
Yeah, it looks cool! I'm not a wood scientist (all our wood scientists are in the engineering faculty, I think) so I'm in no position to weigh in, but it's great to see how quickly it's evolving. It would be great to find better ways to use aspen/poplar so that companies don't feel such an intense need to control them.