St. Catharines, Ontario
This unique shade structure for Niagara Health System's St. Catharines Hospital was completed in 2019. Spanning across the perimeter of the main outdoor patio, this distinctive structure not only creates shade but provides visual interest and curb appeal. Prior to the installation of the shade structure the patio adjacent to the hospital’s main café had little to no use due to it’s positioning which created sun overexposure during daytime hours. The Niagara Health System longed for a structure which would align with the aesthetics of the brand-new hospital built in 2013 and simultaneously help transform the patio into a more welcoming outdoor environment for staff and patients.
The patio is located on the south side of the building, which faces the existing farmland along First Street Louth. The exterior façade of the hospital consists of greys, whites, rust orange and light pastel green. It was necessary that the shade structure blend into the façade. The light pastel green colour of the perforated laser-cut panels were chosen to correspond with the existing exterior, as well as play on the “nature” concept of this outdoor communal environment.The concept for the design stemmed from a single sheet of perforated steel panelling, which the structure itself is composed of. These laser-cut panels have a radial botanic pattern which allot for the perfect amount of opacity and create a captivating design within the shadow. Throughout the installation process, the day-to-day functionality of the hospital did not need to be impeded with. This is due to the modular nature of the panels which allowed for a non-invasive installation and no on-site welding.
The structure now provides the patio with 35% sun coverage throughout the day and has transformed the outdoor space into a communal atmosphere.
*Honourable Mention for 2020 Niagara Biennial Awards*
905.357.4441
