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anonymous throughout, only three hopefuls remained. Before rendering their final verdict, the competitors were offered the opportunity to submit another design plan. At the culmination of voting and much deliberation, local architectural firm Meiklejohn Architects – lead by Jim Meiklejohn and Stoke Tonne – held the design contract for the new Kelowna Yacht Club. “We were both excited and
nervous to be given the chance to be a part of such an iconic
project....it was important to us to design a building that has a strong concept – that captured the essence of the nautical nature of the club and capitalized on a fantastic site,” the duo relayed, “From the outset we knew this project had to work to engage its site and draw people into the building, so we focused on the creation of transition spaces; from indoor to outdoor – we made sure that nature was also key to our design.” This project, expected to take
roughly a year to complete, seeks to embrace such qualities as urban modernism and marine-esque linear symmetries, while using design tricks to maximize the building visually, practically and environmentally. When standing in the two-story atrium – spanning the length of the building, with glass walls on both the East and West ends – you can experience the views of the city, the lake and Stewart Park, as well as the deep
light and ventilation naturally provided (incidentally also reducing mechanical cooling and lighting). From the west side, passers-by can look into and through the center of the building – straight across to the outdoor scenery on the east side. “The new Yacht Club will have
a definite maritime influence. An exposed structure with clean walls and open decks that allow for an abundance of covered outdoor seating; the true feeling of the building is quite nautical,” commented Meiklejohn, “This will be a huge asset to the community and an amenity for our city - it provides a very striking building to be proud of. The restaurant will allow people to stop, enjoy food, their friends and family alongside a breathtaking view of the waterfront.” The figures and forms; the
fusion of ropes and wires, posts and beams, shapes and movements possessed by boats has inspired both art and architecture for generations. With both the technical and functional demands of their masts, rigging, hulls and sails - they connect the graceful, yet strong shapes of a sailboat; they derive intensity as much from their form and placement as from the simple strength of their material. They suspend their passengers in water; protecting them from, and yet connecting them to, nature. The design team aims to mimic their clubhouse after these boating concepts.
The outside of the building is really to be viewed from all four sides – it’s designed with no back and no hidden view – with each side designed around a specific theme. The Water street side is created to blend in with it’s surroundings – with masonry and glass as its ‘urban side’ mediums. The north side is considered to be the where the main hub of activity goes on. As the entrance to the lower atrium, the public restaurant, as well as being a bi-way to the stairs leading to the members private areas, this side is seen as the “working end of the building”. The South and West sides open to Stewart Park and the waterfront. “The public components of the
new Clubhouse building sue, water- front restaurant and patio,” told Jim Kay, “Additionally, the project will include banquet, catering, and meeting facilities; also open to the public on a first-come, fee-for- service basis; further contributing the economic opportunities for local labour and suppliers.” He continued on to explain, “As a two level, 24,000 square foot, waterfront Clubhouse, together with an expanded Members’ Marina for up to 1,000 boat slips, the KYC is a family club first. We hope to encourage the public to enjoy our new public areas as well as to become members of our club. We are seeking to bring new members in right now; once the new facilities are completed, the cost of registration and memberships will inevitably go up.”
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