Queenston Plaza, Niagara–on–the–Lake, Ontario, Canada
Posted
06/4/2011
In
the post-9/11 era, border crossings have changed dramatically. The
outdated 1960s plaza infrastructure at the Queenston-Lewiston
Bridge across the Niagara Gorge, one of Canada's busiest border
crossings, had far outlived its effectiveness. An integrated
landscape/architecture solution replaced barbed-wire fencing and
now demonstrates a message of welcome and friendship while
providing necessary security. Nature and building are integrated to
redefine the site edge, expressing a thriving relationship between
the U.S. and Canada.
Since 1998, the Queenston Plaza has experienced a 70 percent
increase in capacity. Phase One of a three-phase expansion and
redevelopment project includes a toll house administrative
building, three-story parking structure, various toll
booth/inspection canopies and a dramatic 330-meter-long secure
perimeter retaining wall.
Approximately 14,000 square feet of RHEINZINK metal wall panels
from RHEINZINK America Inc., were used to clad the administrative
building and portions of the toll canopies. The project utilized
8,000 square feet of RHEINZINK's 22-gauge, 0.8-mm Angled Standing
Seam Panels and 6,000 square feet of its 20-gauge, 1.0-mm Reveal
Panels, both in Graphite Gray.
The $30 million project was designed by Moriyama & Teshima
Architects. A critical design aspect considered the integration of
the Plaza with the adjoining Queenston Heights Park and Niagara
Parkway which skirts the Niagara Gorge and is a major tourist
thoroughfare.
"We blended the requirement for security and aesthetics,"
according to Brian Rudy, project architect. "Our design integrates
nature and architecture to create a secure perimeter that is
harmonious with the neighboring park and friendly to the tourist
experience." The perimeter strategically includes the
administrative building, with a green roof and vegetative
screen-clad parking garage, and a curved retaining wall and fence
composed of locally sourced materials.
"We like the natural look of the RHEINZINK," Rudy says. "The
Graphite Gray color inspired us throughout the project regarding
other materials. And the standing-seam application on the façade
allows nicely detailed corners that wrap the building."
The architectural firm has used quite a bit of zinc on other
projects, according to Rudy. "It took a little convincing to get
the Bridge Commission to go with zinc because it's a little more
costly than prefinished metal. But they become sold on it because
of the durability and low maintenance and the fact that it's a 100-
to 200-year solution." General contractor: Bondfield Construction,
Concord, Ontario
Architect: Moriyama & Teshima Architects, Toronto
Installer: Praxy Cladding Corp., Mississauga, Ontario
Metal roof panels: RHEINZINK America Inc., Woburn, Mass.,
www.rheinzink.com
www.rheinzink.com