magma architecture

magma architecture teamed up with lead engineers Mott MacDonald and architects of record WHMZ to design the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games sport shooting venue. The jagged upper edge of the perimeter wall is reminiscent of the Canadian national emblem: the maple leaf.

Behind the form finding for the geometry of the façade lays a firm technical rationale: it was driven by geometrical investigation into all possible ballistic trajectories. Any excess planes not required to contain projectiles were cut away from the façade resulting in the dynamic and distinctive outer appearance of the building and a high efficiency. Martin Ostermann, co-founder of magma architecture, explains: “Our sustainability strategy was to shrink the building fabric to the minimum to reduce the need for material application.”

Two 65m long façades cover a fully enclosed 10 m shooting range on the top level forming a canopy for the firing line below. On the lower level they screen the combined 25 and 50 m outdoor field of play. To enable high frequency wheelchair accessibility expected for the Para Pan Am Games the ground floor is connected to the first floor by an outdoor ramp. The ranges cover a total area of 5.500 m².

The façade is constructed from low-priced and widely used H2 utility poles with an Indian summer orange stain. By using locally sourced materials and locally available construction techniques it was possible to match the extremely low budget for the project. Minimized use of renewable materials optimized the sustainability of the design. The result is an equally visually striking and technically capable and sustainable building.

Project Client
Toronto Organizing Committee for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games (TO2015)

Lead Consultant
Mott MacDonald Canada Ltd.

Range Design
magma architecture PartG

Local Architect
WZMH Architects

Structural / Services
Mott MacDonald

Ballistics
Wayne Arendse