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About The Banook Judging Tower
Originally designed for the 1988 World Canoe Kayak Championships, The Lake Banook Judging Tower is a beloved landmark within Dartmouth’s lake system. Its distinctive form and proportions has become deeply embedded in the cultural identity of Lake Banook, celebrated in photographs, artwork, and even on tea towels and wallpapers!
In 2020, RHAD Architects was commissioned to renew the tower, addressing contemporary requirements for energy performance, accessibility, and judging technology. RHAD Architects chose to preserve the primary steel structure with its dynamic roof and iconic silhouette, maintaining the building's identity within the community.
Positioned at the finish line, the tower continues its important role as a focal point for canoe and kayak racing, from local competitions to international world-class events. Beyond its role in sport, its strong form and illuminated façade transforms the building into a "lantern on the lake", a familiar beacon on the water during dark evenings and early mornings, quietly accompanying generations of athletes and community members walking along the boardwalk.
Positioned at the finish line, the tower continues its important role as a focal point for canoe and kayak racing, from local competitions to international world-class events. Beyond its role in sport, its strong form and illuminated façade transforms the building into a "lantern on the lake", a familiar beacon on the water during dark evenings and early mornings, quietly accompanying generations of athletes and community members walking along the boardwalk.