Since its revitalization, the City of Yellowknife describes Somba K’e Civic Plaza as a “tremendous success attracting citizens to the new space.” With feedback from the community, Lombard North Group and the design team headed by Nadji Architects developed a long-term phasing plan including a plaza, an open space for gathering, an amphitheatre and waterfront access suitable for all season use. The design for the site incorporated influences from the northern vernacular to create active and passive programmable event spaces, access to the lakefront, historical references, locations for the display of public art and cultural ceremonies. The isolated northern locale, limited material suppliers and permafrost are just a few of the challenges that the design team encountered and resolved through the design process for this space. This unique multi-use civic plaza serves as the host location for numerous festivals and is now viewed as the premier urban plaza in the Northwest Territories.
*Copyright permission for the use of images with hot air balloon provided by City of Yellowknife
Award
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects Regional Merit Award – 2013
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