Darius Gumushdjian (2010-2012)

31
Darius Aramis Gumushdjian (2010-2012)

description

Select works from graduate architecture school

Transcript of Darius Gumushdjian (2010-2012)

  • Darius Aramis Gumushdjian (2010-2012)

  • jan. - mar. 20##

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    Nomadic Living: Icebergs as home

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    sketches

    path of process

    start

    explored design path(s)

    main design pathfinish

    project title and decription

    period of work

    time

    start of year

    The portfolios theme is to represent the process in which the final result of the design exercise was achieved. The sketches are arranged in a time-line to show a larger span of work without going into excess detail. From the timeline specific works are chosen that excel in demonstrating growth both in idealogy, methodology and design. The viewer is then redirected to the contents where a glimpse is provided of most of the work before its final repre-sentation. The timeline spans almost 5 years starting with the pinnacle of the undergraduate studies and ending with the fullness of the graduate studies. From there the viewer will then receive a detailed account of the selected projects in their final repre-sentation form accompanied with a precis describing

    the project.

    intro 2

  • un

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    grad

    sept. 2007 - april 2008 sept. - oct. 2008 nov. - dec. 2008

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    Undergraduate thesis: The highway revisited Quantitative vs. Qualitative: Representation of river installation at Trent University, Ontario

    Desk appendage: Furniture as landscape

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  • jan. - feb. 2009 feb. - april 2009

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    The Urban Zoo: The spectacle of exotic species Niagara Falls: Mans reconciliation with nature and artifact

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  • may - june 2009(studio abroad, buenos aires)

    nov. - dec. 2009 feb. - april 2010

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    La Boca gentrification: Extending the citys grid onto the water Metropolis Studio: Removing barriers in priority neighbourhoods (Flemingdon Park-Victoria Village)

    Waterfront Primary School:A detailed look

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  • sept. - dec. 2010 jan. - april 2011

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    Open Circuits: A tower renewal story

    Bursting the Bubble: The building as the social network

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  • waterfront primary school: a detailed look

    open circuits: a tower renewal story

    bursting the bubble: the building as the social network

    the toronto deltas: political mediation meets urban planning

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    17

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    contents 7

    jan. - dec. 2011(including thesis prep.)

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    Graduate thesis: The Toronto Deltas -Political mediation meets urban planning

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  • UPPER GRADES/LIBRARY (SEMI-PRIVATE)

    MODULES ARRANGED TOEXPRESS GRADE HIERARCHY AND MAXIMIZE VIEWS

    ENVELOPE CARVES SKELETAL STRUCTURE BASED ONDAYLIGHTING FACTORS

    JUNIOR/MIDDLE GRADES

    MIDDLE GRADES/CIRCULATION

    ADMIN./PARENT SERVICES

    GYMNASIUM (SEMI-PRIVATE)

    MIXED USE (PUBLIC)

    MIDDLE/UPPER GRADES waterfront primary school 8

    waterfront primary school (in collaboration with Matt Alves) The name waterfront primary school focuses on the projects functionality and does not reveal its architectural themes by name, yet the name makes you discover these gestures visually by exploring its plans, sections and diagrams. The duality of primary refers to its function of housing grades up to the year prior to secondary school as well as stating the school as the first institutional generator of gentrifi-cation by providing public and private institutional services to the context.

    Conceptual approach/thesis This projects primary mission is not one of architecture but one of urban revitalization. The school is located at the waterfront south of the distillery district an area known for its desperate need of revitalization. The site is located at a relatively large arterial making it a prominent node. In terms of massing the school strives to become seamless with the proposed context where the eye of the passerby can flow from the foreground of the site and up to its bold cantilevers at the west elevation while achieving visual setbacks at the east elevation. The cantilevers also attempt to achieve a direct access with the adjacent park both visually and physically by floating, withholding its contained program and structure from becoming a barrier. Inter-nally the program is arranged differently in plan and section. In plan the program is placed along the edges of the floor plate. Therefore the main circulatory pattern starts from the center and is equidistant from most points of the school. In section multipurpose spaces sandwich the institutional portion of the building. The classrooms and their support rooms are again located relatively equidistant to the additional program in the vertical plane. The classrooms are arranged following a hierarchy where the lower grades start at the bottom floor and the upper grades are at the higher floors.

    Why is the design approach appropriate? The purpose of the project is to create an educational facility that serves public and private members of the immediate community. The arrangement of the programs is geared to serve the public at grade yet maintain a comfortable security from public users by having classroom access away from grade, arriving at the conclusion that the schools is acting as an intermediate community center before one is actually established in the gentrified area.

  • louver - incline - fenstration rationale

    Factors (anything that contributes to a result; "a number of factors determined the outcome"):

    ! ! ! ""! $% & ' *+"

    3! 3! 3! 3! 3! 3!

    Resultant (A result is the final consequence of a sequence of actions or expressed qualitatively or quantitatively)

    Wall inclineFenestrationLouvreLight

    4!% 6sun)[incline maximum exposure] 6shade)[incline minimum exposure] 6;! ?+ ?+ ?@+ \+

    + \++

    Values:

    Solar values (0 being "^%%

    __`{`_`{`_`_`{`_`{_`

    Shade values (0 being "^%%

    _`_`_`_`{`_`_`{`_`

    view values (0 being "^%%numbers can excel average need due to programmatic placement

    _`_`_`_`_`_`_

    resultant

    O (fenestration): (sun value shade value [magnitude]) + view value%!}!-age openings)

    _~``_`}}_`~``_`_`~``_`_`~``_`}_`~``_`_$4^

    _`~`_`

    resultant

    I (incline): (sun value shade value) `+_6"`_Imi }_6

    _~`_`}_6_`~`_`_6_`~`_`_6_`~`_`}}_6_$4^

    _`~`_`_6

    6;

  • LATERAL BRACING SYSTEM

    COMPRESSIONTENSION

    CORE PLACEMENT

    HSS FRAME SYSTEM

  • ENVELOPE DETAIL

  • open circuits The focus of this studio was to retrofit and make sustainable multiple high-rise towers, built during the 60s and 70s, scattered throughout the Greater Toronto Area. The studio is in light of Torontos tower renewal initiative. Our studio focused on the North York neighborhood south of The Peanut (Don Mills & Sheppard). The existing site is portioned into lots by chain link fences that run along the property lines laid by the city. The sites menacing demeanor doesnt help the towers isolation from mainstream arterials and local mega mall Fairview. This gesture takes an extra step which focuses not only on the outdated and inefficient envelope but also the ground plain as a barrier. The proposed site plan eliminates the gated property and introduces above grade vehicular circulation allowing the infiltra-tion of self sustaining commercial, recreation and institutional program. Daycare has been added to promote program usage while amenities have been upgraded for existing towers as well. The proposed towers also add density in addition to multiple suite types including a percentage of rental apartments for lower income residence. The towers include passive solar design on all 4 elevations as well as expanded lobby entrances to eliminate unsafe and cramped entranceways. The interior layout is also inherently different by including solariums as buffer spaces for solar gain in the winter. The suites also include sliding doors which expand and contract rooms changing the layout of the suite for different occasions. The master plan keeps the vistas open and preserves views atop the ridge, the initial marketing scheme used 50 years ago, whereas an infill strategy could clog up the already impenetrable ground plane.

    open circuits 12

    mega blocks micro communities

    block 2:423 units required428 provided500sqm daycare800sqm community1000sqm commercial

    block 1:south towersfloors: 20units: 180 totalwest towersfloors: 24units: 330 total

    480 suites reqd136 single units374 family units510 provided

    500sqm daycare800sqm community1000sqm commercial

    block 3:124 units required168 provided500sqm daycare800sqm community1000sqm commercial

  • PARTI EXISTING FILTER RESULT

    FOCUSED SITE

    PROPOSED PLAN

    communitycommercialresidentialammenitymetro l ink

    The parti was established by the notion of a self sustaining megablock. However the megablock needs to be broken down, eliminate the property lines and establish a shared space under the juristiction of the landowners. The central focus of these now boundless lots lie in the communal program at its center. Along with the new roads and commercial programs which include markets, the ominous megablock is now a busling micro community promot-ing permeability and movement, no longer the staleness of purely outdated residential design.

  • Nproposedparkingallocation

    stormwater management

    pedestriancirculation

    vehicularcirculation

    exisit ing

    exisit ing

  • 1 bedroom1 bedroom + den

    2 bedroom + den3 bedroom + den

    2 bedroom

    1-2 people= 1-2 spaces expand

    solariumlouver system

    vertical bris solei l

    expand

    balcony

    party

    party

    study

    studywesttowers

    southtowers

    typical

    typical

    alt. unit shown

    alt. f loor plate/layout

    west tower plan

    alt. f loor plate/layoutsouth tower plan

    suite types:

    suitedistribution:

    suite compartments:

    solar strategiesper elevation:

    NE

    SW

    2-3 people= 3-4 spaces

    3-4 people= 5-6 spaces

    To maximize the potential of these suites, they have been compartmentalized using sliding dividers, that can expand and contract private/public parts of the suite, as well as adding solariums and bris soleils as passive systems for heat gain and natural light respectively. Because of the size of the proposed apartments active systems are possible such as operable windows and louvers seen on the following page.

  • summer

    spring/fall

    winter

    53.5 degrees

    40 degrees

    16.5 degrees

    louversystem

    solarium

    passive/activesystems:warm air(passive)cold air(passive/active)

    solar angle

  • bursting the bubble 17

    bursting the bubble (in collaboration with Matt Alves) This project was designed to interpret and answer Peter Sloterdijks rigid foam and spheres essays. Sloterdijks main argument was the inhabitants within a multi unit residence is an independent collective; each person living for themselves, together and that the apartment itself becomes a physical and ideological extension of the inhabitant. What should we change? What should we nurture?

    Questions asked and statements made during the design process include the following:- Why should atomized living be for the weak?- Why should the inhabitants of a multi unit residence pretend to be one body when the only interaction is a silent moment in the elevator?- Humans bind together on a virtual plane from commercial and/or social motives.- Speed as increased virtual connectivity, decreased physical necessity and becomes a catalyst of ones self (egosphere). Speed can be categorized as technology.- The physical boundary is more powerful than we think, mentally it completely governs us.- Technology eliminates the barrier and ones self is multiplied to the far reaches of connectivity.

    TRANSVERSE SECTION 1 TRANSVERSE SECTION 2 TRANSVERSE SECTION 3

    1ST FLOOR PLAN

    1

    1 2 3

    2

  • multiple stakeholders promote optimal mixed usage on a single property

    max potential achieved using template morphology begins to take over

    modules and grid begin to deviate achieving better connections and aesthetic values

    school, library, theatre and housing

    initially treated as large singularities

    broken down to support more

    housing modules

    largerindependant

    modulestheatre/movie screens

    (public)

    non res. programs occupy

    modules toservice res.

    library/resource centre (semi private)

    personalized homes

    bedroom/living room(private)

    merged block used as template for form

    modules start to clump and

    become clusters

    sizes of clusters vary from

    housing typologies

    small

    big

    nomadic

    short termstudent res.

    long term student res.

    multi generationalat

    ul

    g tt

    ent t

    ma

    SLAB AND CORE MAX BUILDABLE AREA TOLERANCE

    PROGRAM DISSOLUTION

    SUBTRACTION

    GRID MANIPULATION

    CONNECTIONS

  • Establish a new mixed use housing arrangement:

    Step 1- Start a hierarchal order, then eliminate it...- Horizontal slab abolished - Vertical plain as physical and visual connectorsStep 2- All program conformed to a 3d grid which is used to add other forms and act as a template for formal alignmentStep 3- Program specified- Residential program begins to cluster- Other program scatters to serve clusters at all levels

    PROGRAM DISSOLUTION GRID MANIPULATION

    CONNECTIONS

    STRUCTURE

    FINAL FORM

    COMPLETIONCLUSTERS

    HUMAN INTERACTION

    TOLERANCE

  • What has this project changed about the design and way of life of a multi unit residence?- We no longer have rigid foam but more of a flexible one.- Through the inclusion of double height lofts, atriums, transparent cladding and open stair cases the primitive mental and physical block, which feeds the apathetic result of abandonment of the effort of social interaction, is eliminated and instigates the discovery and friendship individuals can experience together. The shell has been breached the bubble is burst.- The ideology of the meek seeking a vacuous habitat is now replaced by the bond of student body and family. The collective is dependant but stronger. - Social sites that accentuate the egoshpere, such as facebook, are replaced with a physical structure of linkage both social (theatres) and educational (libraries), the building replaces facebook.- Plans have been orientated such that only basic needs such as washroom and bed are atomized to an extent.- The essence of living is being able to sleep at ones own place, here the building provides that only separation where the bed placement is flexible and users sleep anywhere.

    5TH FLOOR PLAN

    4TH FLOOR PLAN

    3RD FLOOR PLAN

    STRUCTURE

    CORRIDOR

    RESIDENCE

    THEATRE

    INSTITUTIONAL

    CONNECTORS

  • LONGITUDINAL SECTION 1

    LONGITUDINAL SECTION 2

  • thetorontodeltas The Thesis addresses the current Waterfront Master plan (lower Don Lands) in Toronto yet taking a different phased develop-ment approach by amplifying its factors as well as tackling new ones such as land ownerships between levels of govern-ment at the site just south of it (portlands). This is possible by means of maximizing flood paths and water filtration of the Don River, therefore alleviating worst case scenario flooding as well as maximizing recreation, circulation efficiency, ecosystem diversity, program typologies and waterfront development opportunities due to the increase of shore line. Thus a regional destina-tion and a mediation between governmental desires has been created out of the final barrier between Toronto and the lake.

    beach (soft)

    wetland (soft)

    waterfront edge typologies

    hardscape + edge

    deck

    river + side road river + main road side road+ main street

    side road+ side road

    side road + soft edge

    side road+ hard edge

    main road + soft edge

    main road + hard edge

    building/program typologies

    point tower (residential)

    mid - low rise row apartments (residential, commercial)

    perimeter band w/ tower (residential, office, commercial)

    perimeter band cantilever/bridge (residential, office)

    building/program to edge typologies

    commercial + hard

    commercial + river/deck

    commercial + beach (soft)

    residential + beach (soft)

    residential + river/deck

    office + hard

    office + woodland (soft)

    office + wetlands (soft)

    office + river

    population types

    single couples family

    residential + hard

    office + beach

    river alignment/massing manipulator

    STEP 1: TYPOLOGY FILTER

    TYPOLOGY MATRIX

    STEP 2: CONDITIONAL FACTORS STEP 3: RESULTANTS

    river

    woodland (soft)

    boat (residential, commercial)

    perimeter conditionsriver + deck

    beach (soft)

    wetland (soft)

    edge typologies

    hardscape + edge

    deck

    river

    woodland

    building/program typologies

    point tower (residential)

    mid - low rise row apartments(residential, commercial)

    perimeter band w/ tower (residential, office, commercial)

    perimeter band cantilever/bridge(residential, office)

    boat (residential, commercial)

    road types

    main road side road

    building/program

    commercial + hard

    commercial + rive

    commercial + beac

    residential + beac

    residential + river/

    residential hard

    office + hardffi h d

    office + woodland

    office + wetlands (

    office + riverffi i

    the toronto deltas 22

  • context plan

    site plan

    don lands comparison

    N

    ontexto onmpa

    STEP 4: APPLICATION

    commercialhard edge/surface

    commercialdeck

    commercialbeach

    residentialbeach

    residentialdeck

    residentialhard edge/surface

    officehard edge/surface

    officesoft surface (eco)

    officesoft surface (eco)

    officeriver

    officebeach

    green space = 130 acreswater area = 35 acres

    water frontage = 5530 meters

    green space = 78 acreswater area = 75 acres

    water frontage = 6345 meters

    soft edge = 4800 metershard edge = 2550 meters

    soft edge = 8515 metershard edge = 3850 meters

    lrt stops = 6 road coverage = 10450 meters

    lrt stops = 10 road coverage = 7708 metres GREEN CORRIDOR

    DON RIVER FLOW

  • GREEN CORRIDOR

    DON RIVER FLOW

    PHYSICAL / PROGRAMMATIC BARRIERS

    Torontos East Waterfront is notorious for its inaccessibility due to semi- derelict/contaminated industrial properties. This programmatic barrier is also a physical one where the Don Valleys green corridor ends abruptly at the Don Rivers mouth which brings an entire watershed amount of runoff to an almost perpendicular flow path; perfect for debris back up and flooding. This thesis will investigate multiple approaches, existing and proposed, to the site which aims to maximize

    long forgotten qualities of the region.

    In order to find a solution, the project starts by analyzing the prime concern of flooding and its source as well as the invisible barriers of land ownership. Once these are analyzed the project then takes a critical look at the existing master plan of the Waterfront and researches the taken steps to how they arrived at their conclu-sion. Finally the project is geared to take into account all these factors and maximize the potential of the existing Master plan by increas-ing flood alleviation, naturalization, ecosystem and wildlife diversity, circulation, recreation and

    built form typologies.

    THE PROBLEM: BARRIERS

    maps reinterpreted from: Google Earth

  • FLOODING

    The Don Valley watershed spans beyond Toronto city limits thus accumulating runoff from the suburbs. The problem with surface permeability becomes an issue, without the absorbance of rain water, surface runoff spills into the valley flooding the Don River. The mouth is most problematic due to its perpendicular flow course which is susceptible not only to flooding but surface debris and sediment leading to frequent surface cleanup and dredging. Clearly the naturalization of the Don river mouth is priority in

    order for any master plan to survive.

    LEASING

    Currently the municipal government has undertaken a masterplan to naturalize the mouth of the river however almost all of its lands are currently under lease. Therefore time is a factor in terms of the city unlocking lands

    to develop a Master plan.

    THE PROBLEM: FLOOD PLAINS, LAND OWNERSHIPS AND LEASES

    POINT OFBACKUP

    DON RIVER FLOW

    20051995

    SURFACE PERMEABILITY

    DON VALLEY WATERSHED

    FLOOD VULNERABLE LOCATION

    FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURE

    SPILL ZONE 1 SPILL ZONE 2SPILL ZONE 3

    1< year lease1-5 year lease

    5-10 year lease10+ year lease

    west don river

    lower don

    river

    east don river

    german mills creek

    taylor masseycreek

    G. Lord Rossdam

    Yonge/York Millschannel

    Massey Creek

    channel

    YMHA/Sheppard

    channel

    MUNICIPALprofit

    employmenthousing

    environmental stewardshipeconomic potential

    PROVINCIALprofit

    clean energy sourcesproperty to house provincial

    affiliations gentrification

    housing

    FEDERALprofit

    properties producing income

    marine transportation (economic, recreational)internationally acclaimed

    venues

    PRIVATEprofit

    property ownership employment gentrification

    LAND OWNERSHIP What makes this site more unique are the invisible barriers that plague it. All forms of government as well as private landowners have a share at the Waterfront. This leads to development disagreements as well as different motives for land use. In the end, each party is looking for economic gain where no single party wants to be excluded from the potential economic revenue of a completed Waterfront. The municipal and provincial governments are the closest in terms of the vision, that being economy, naturalization and energy sustainabil-ity. The parties that have semi introverted visions include the federal party which desires purely economic gain of the port and some of the private sector members which income as well as physical land rights are vital for their needs.

    data reinterpreted from: Waterfront Toronto, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

    data reinterpreted from: Waterfront Toronto, Toronto Port Lands Company (TPLC)

  • maps reinterpreted from: Google Earth

    green space = 0 acres green space = 130 acres

    existing scheme primary Don plan

    existing scheme primary Don plan

    water area = 25 acres water area = 35 acres

    water frontage = 5120 meters water frontage = 5530 meters

    existing scheme primary Don plan

    GREEN CORRIDOR

    DON RIVER FLOW

    PHYSICAL / PROGRAMMATIC BARRIERS

    THE PROPOSAL: THE STUBBORN BARRIER & COMPARISON TO PROBLEM

    Toronto has held an international design competition to create a master plan for the waterfront. The winner was Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. The design was responsive to what Toronto needed. But what was different about their design from the rest of the entries was their close attention to an Environmental Assessment preformed by the city a few years before the competition. MVVA researched where the main river and its secondary discharge canals would be most effective in terms of constructive viability, infrastructure integration, naturalization and flood alleviation. This project analyzes the MVVA plan and reinterprets the data from the environmental assessment in order to justify their

    process as well as the steps to take for the portlands. But why would we need to add on to an acclaimed Master plan by a famous and experienced firm? Is there something wrong with this plan? Absolutely not! Its designed with great responsibility based on the resources analyzed in this project. Then whats the problem? A barrier still exists. The region south of the Master plan has not changed and is in larger jeopardy of underdevelopment due to different land owners (Federal) staking claim there. The point of the project is to create a scheme that mediates and compensates landowners involved, utilizes the research concerning the EA and apply appropriate naturalization and flood alleviation strategies which would in turn maximize recreation and economic opportunities. The solution here is to remove both barriers completely and still create a plan that melds

    with the existing one and maximizes its fundamentals.

  • data reinterpreted from: MVV Associates, TRCA environmental assessment of Don River Mouth (June 2006)

    THE SOLUTION: RIVER NATURALIZATION & ECOSYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

    green space = 28 acres

    RIPARIAN SECTION

    woodlands = 33 acres seepage wetlands = 3 acres levee wetlands = 6 acreswetlands = 40 acres

    ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT CURRENT MASTERPLAN ELIMINATE ALL BARRIERSRESEARCH THE PROBLEM: APPLY THE SOLUTION: MAXIMIZE THE SOLUTION:

    SINGLE FLOW ROUTEpros:

    constructibilityrecreation opportunities

    cons:flood protection

    naturalization

    SINGLE FLOW ROUTE + 2 OVERFLOW SPILLWAYS

    pros:constructibility

    infratructure integrationcons:cost

    MVVA MASTER PLANthe application of the preffered option from the EA. the masterplan then integrates built form, programmatic strategies and infrastructure resulting in a new communtity with naturalized waterflow and

    edges.

    EXTENDED RIVER PAST CHANEL

    the same strategy is applied by continuing the river flow past perpindicular routes. the river further relieves flooding by providing nearly direct access to

    lake ontario.

    TRIBUTARIES by adding tributaties we introduce further water filtration due to the increase of edge exposure to potetential ecologies. we also open up more opportunities for water edge development and recretional

    activities.

    FORMATION OF DELTASeach island can now have its own community with its own programmatic requirements. the possiblities of beaches exist due to increased water filtration. flood waters now dissapate faster from maximized flow

    routes.

    RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEM

    The channel in between the two Master plans acts as the previous channel being perpendicular to the flow. By cutting through it and continuing South towards the lake the potential of water buildup is negated. From there, tributaries are introduced which eventually carve the southern part of the site in to deltas. From there the same ecological strategies applied by the MVVA plan is done here by introducing a Riparian ecosystem. There runoff will be absorbed properly as well as encouraging natural habitats. Wetlands are vital and provide wildlife

    diversity, water retention and water filtration.

  • phase 1:hydraulic flow and filtration

    flow route

    phase 2a:excavation

    land placement

    land excavation

    phase 2b:land placement

    previous edge

    landfill

    phase 3a:topography

    contour line (1m)

    phase 3b:ecological core - number of

    ecosystems greater at center for maximum filtration at

    river divergance

    4 ecosystem types

    3 ecosystem types

    3-2 ecosytem types

    2-1 ecosystem types

    phase 3c:final contours

    contour line (1m)

    contour line (underwater) (1m)

    phase 3d:development allocation

    total environmental arealower donlands = 90 acres

    port lands = 164 acres

    allotted land fordevelopment

    arterials

    side streets

    phase 4:major arterials and

    side streets

    phase 4:lrt route & stops

    lrt route

    lrt stops

    phase 4:5 min. walking radius

    lrt stops

    5 min walking radius

    phase 5:completed plan

    Federal

    Provincial

    Municipal

    Profit (under lease to city)Properties producing incomeMarine transportation (economic, recreational & all boat launches)Internationally acclaimed city

    ProfitClean energy sourcesProperty for ministries Gentrification for city and provinceEnvironmental stewardship (new provincial park: waterway class)Internationally acclaimed city

    Profit (leasable property)EmploymentHousingEnvironmental stewardshipInternationally acclaimed city

    phase 5:political mediation &

    compensation

    what they get...

    The tributaries are confirmed. They are then developed to be secondary and

    tertiary spillways of the main river. The existing outline of the site remains.

    The excavations of the tributaries are used to extend the edges to increase

    buildable surface area. The excavated material is poured out from the edges which provide opportunities for more

    riparian ecosystems, increased waterfront development as well as an orientation

    towards downtown Toronto.

    The shape of the land is more organic than the previous site. This is homage to

    the original Don River which was land filled some 100 years ago. The irony here

    is that this naturalization comes from mans effort which makes it still inherently

    artificial.

    Topography was placed as a first step to allocate where riparian ecosystems would

    be as well as where built form will be placed and how it would meet the rivers edge. The buildable surfaces also had to be higher than worst case scenario flood

    levels.

    This small citys core does not consist of high-rises or other buildings; in fact it

    consists only of ecosystems becoming a nature park. The greater the amount of ecosystems placed at the center (river

    divergence) the greater the water filtration. Its an organic central park with

    rivers and canoeing available to enjoy.

    The bathymetry of the river bed is just as important as the surface topography. The

    bathymetry regulates where levee wetland will be placed, where deep and

    shallow spawning pools will be for wildlife and finally to adjust the flow of marine

    crafts in the area.

    Plateaus have been placed to where the major developments would be. The

    ecosystem placements are finalized and integrate with the MVVA plan.

    A semi loop acts as the main arterial road to the site where smaller side streets are

    used to get to interior buildings. Side streets include spaces for loading as well

    as entrances to underground parking.

    Light rail transit stops are placed along the major arterial. Each island in the

    community gets at least one LRT stop. In order to integrate with the MVVA plan

    additional LRT stops are added there to close the gap.

    These are the 5 minute walking radii of where each LRT stop is proposed. The length of road is 30% less than of the

    MVVA plan but covers at least an equal amount of land area.

    The final plan consists of all these factors mentioned as well as the typology matrix

    on the first board. The urban scheme process also demonstrates how and why the buildings are shaped and placed the

    way they are.

    In order for this project to be feasible a compensation and mediation plan must be

    devised. Although the logistics are quite complicated this project attempts to

    simplify it into major points. First the municipal government takes a bond from

    the federal government. The feds give money for the construction and all design

    and development rights to the municipality. However in order for the city to pay the

    federal government back a) all water and boating activities are under federal

    jurisdiction so they can maintain some form of port authority and b) the feds

    would own some property to lease back to the city as well as private businesses. The province would also have a part by having

    jurisdiction over the first man made Provincial Park. These green spaces would

    be safe from development and be categorized as a waterway park which

    promotes canoeing, kayaking and other aquatic activities. Therefore city would not only have a stable rate to pay the federal government and have a provincial park in

    their backyard but a brand new waterfront for everyone to enjoy.

    THE SOLUTION: PROCESS AND POLITICAL MEDIATION

    urban scheme developmentphase 1 & 2

    row density implementation

    urban scheme developmentphase 5 & 6

    radial plotallocation

    row density manipulation:-maximize surface exposure-follow river curvature

    urban scheme developmentphase 3 & 4

    solar exposure hierarchy

    N

    -edge access-building setbacks-edge maximization-green space allocation

    density increasefurther setback implementation

  • THE SOLUTION: SECTIONS AND THE MICRO SCALE

    blending to Lake Ontario park

    residential tower

    mixed use towers

    residential ribbon

    recreational public boat launch

    the new don river

    commercial / restaurant

    suspendedpedestrian walkway

    mixed use towers

    pedestrian boardwalk

    pedestrian boardwalk

    mixed use towers

    mixed use towers

    pier and public docks

    boat houses / shops

    the beachprovincial waterway park

  • WINTERSUMMER