The Ark (Prince Edward Island)
The Ark was a bioshelter constructed in Spry Point, Prince Edward Island, designed by architects David Bergmark and Ole Hammarlund,[1] incorporating sustainable architecture technologies developed by the New Alchemy Institute. Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1976.[2]
Bergmark's family lived in the Ark for about 18 months from its opening in 1976, demonstrating its potential as a residential structure. It was then used for research in alternative energy by the government of Prince Edward Island.[3] Over the next decade it was used for various community and commercial activities, including a motel, before being sold and converted to a restaurant in 1991. The restaurant was sold in the late 1990s and the building was demolished.[4]
Today, the Inn at Spry Point stands on the former site of the Ark.
Further reading
- Mannell, Steven (2018). Living Lightly on the Earth: Building an Ark for Prince Edward Island, 1974-76. Prince Edward Island: Dalhousie Architectural Press. ISBN 9780929112695.
References
- Bozikovic, Alex (23 December 2016). "Looking to Canada's past in hopes of a greener architectural future". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "The PEI Ark By SolSearch Architects And The New Alchemy Institute". HousePorn.ca. 7 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "The Ark, '70s experiment in sustainable living, explored at new exhibit". CBC News. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
- "P.E.I.'s the Ark, an early design innovation". Daily Commercial News. 14 November 2016. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.