Between river and industry, Kebony wood was chosen for Edmonton's EcoPark House

The EcoPark House is located at the intersection of contrasting landscapes: an industrial waste treatment facility, the "blue and green corridor" of the Lea Valley, major infrastructure such as the northern ring road, a developing residential area and numerous adjacent green spaces.

The specifications described a 1.200 m² canalside building, including a flexible space to accommodate an educational program, an exhibition and gathering area, an informal conference space and a large terrace for outdoor activities.

The ground floor was to become the base for the Edmonton Sea Cadets, providing them with direct access to the canal and a platform suitable for their nautical activities.

The choice of materials had to guarantee durability, safety and aesthetics, while creating a natural and welcoming atmosphere.

An architecture inspired by boat sheds

The project, designed by Grimshaw Architects, draws inspiration from traditional boathouse and pavilion structures, featuring simple, predominantly horizontal forms and a limited material palette. The building is set back slightly from the canal to reduce its visual impact and blend harmoniously into its surroundings.

Large glass facades open the interior spaces onto the river corridor, offering unobstructed views and enhancing the interior brightness. In this context, Kebony wood plays a central role: "We used Kebony wood to accentuate the difference between the more massive areas and the lighter, open, and transparent spaces," the architects explain.

Technical constraints identified by Kebony wood

The site presents specific constraints: intensive use of balconies and decks, industrial pollution, constant humidity linked to the canal and the need for optimal slip resistance.

Kebony meets these requirements thanks to its patented technology developed in Norway, which modifies softwood from sustainably managed forests. After impregnation with a bio-based liquid, the wood is gently heated to dry it and create polymerization along the cell walls. The material thus acquires the properties of tropical hardwoods, while significantly reducing its environmental impact.

Aesthetics, versatility and durability

Kebony wood combines robustness, low maintenance, and natural aesthetics. Its color will gradually evolve to a silvery gray, harmonizing with the other building materials (concrete, glass, green roof, metal). Versatile, it has been used for numerous surfaces – decking, cladding, sliding panels, and soffit – for a cohesive and refined aesthetic.

Its durability, guaranteed for 35 years, and its respect for the environment were decisive assets for Grimshaw Architects: "Kebony wood will soften over time, reinforcing the welcoming character of the building and creating a harmonious background for activities, in dialogue with the surrounding vegetation," they conclude.