RE-ENGAGING THE WELLAND CANALS
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McGill University School of Architecture Final Studio Project completed for Masters of Architecture (Professional) Studio Advisor/Instructors: Martin Bressani, Fabrizio Gallanti Project by David Donnelly
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Thank you to, Marcus Riganelli for assisting with 3D printing of lock models. David Riganelli for assisting with the drone footage for site documentation. Colleen Beard and Sharon Janzen from the GIS library at Brock University, for assisting with site topographical information. Additionally Colleen’s Project, The Historic Welland Canal Mapping Project was a valuable aid in site research and site plan production. Martin Bressani and Fabrizio Gallanti for project advisement.
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Table of contents 4. Video Link Youtube 5. Introduction 6. Context 7. Welland Canal/ Niagara Map 8-9. Current state of Historic Canals 10-11. Site Plan Proposal 12-13. Park 1, Connection 14-16. Park 2, Memory 17-23. The Path 24-25. Site Plan Enlargement 26-31. Engineering Pavilion 32-41. Pavilion for the Fallen Workers 42. Site Plan Enlargement 43-49. Lookout Tower Pavilion 50-51. Final Models
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Introduction video: https://youtu.be/HAkxy5aa_tE (please click on link)
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The Welland Canal has had four incarnations (1833, 1848, 1887, 1932) each time constructed, it profoundly shaped and changed the City of St. Catharines and the Niagara Region. Today, the old locks of these canals that once carried ships from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, are dispersed throughout the city, often fenced off, inaccessible, over grown and in a continual state of disrepair. This project investigates the now defunct, first three iterations, and their potential relationship with the contemporary city.
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N
Toronto
N
Lake Ontario Hamilton St.Catharines
Niagara Region Buffalo
Lake Erie
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1st Welland Canal - 1829
4th (Current) Welland Canal - 1933
30 m
250 m
Typical Vessel
NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
Typical Vessel
2nd Welland Canal - 1845
43 m Typical Vessel
3rd Welland Canal - 1887
78 m Typical Vessel
ST. CATHARINES U S A QE
W
l3
na
Ca
&2
Canal 4
al 1
Can
406
THOROLD
NIAGARA FALLS 8
The current state of the Historic Welland Canals
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Site Plan Proposal The proposal includes two parks that re-engage the community with these industrial artifacts. The first park, Connection, utilizes the Second Welland Canal. The park links downtown St. Catharines with the City of Thorold. The design of the park is centered on re-engaging the community with the old canal through programs focused on recreation, culture and water remediation. The primary focus of the project is on the design of the second park system, titled Memory, this park utilizes the remaining locks of the Third Welland Canal. The park connects the St. Catharines Museum, the Thorold History Museum and the current Welland Canal. The incredible story of these canals is exploded and pieced along the remaining portion of the third Canal. Here a series of museum pavilions engage with the 19th century stone locks. Each pavilion communicates a fundamental piece of the passionate story of this great infrastructure project. Three pavilions are featured, grappling with the engineering triumphs, the human tragedy, and our contemporary memory and understanding of these canal projects.
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The Third Welland Canal, 1887 Memory
Canal (1933) The Welland
St.Catharines Downtown Centennial Gardens Park
Bridge Intervention
Washroom
Parking
Theater in Lock
Fishing Pavilion
Bike Path
Information Pavilion
Lock 5
Culture
Lock 6
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Center
Welland Canal 4: Lock 3
The park begins at the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3.
430 m
Pedestrian Swing Bridge A Bridge over the current canal transports you into the park.
Lock 7
Lock 11: Pavilion - Niagara before the canals
323 m
The earliest human settlement of the area dates to 1400 AD. The Neutrals, an Iroquoian Indigenous peoples transversed Niagara with canoes they portaged over the Escarpment.
318 m
Lock 8
Lock 12: Pavilion - Politics and Economics
270 m
Recreation
Lock 9
Exhibiting the post-War of 1812 Canadian competition with the United States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
323 m
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking.
345 m
315 m
Lock 10
Lift Bridge Lock 14
242 m
315 m
Welland Canal
Lock 11
224 m
Water Remediation
Lock 12
Lock 15
294 m
tors
General Mo
224 m
Lock 16: Pavilion - Ingenuity, Engineering the Canals
Lock 13
Excavate buried lock.
Lock 14
Sport
Excavate buried lock.
348 m
Canadian National Railway Bridge
223 m
CN Railway Swing Bridge Lock 17 Pavilion - Toll Fallen Workers Memorial.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
water to be brought to surface
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
201 m
The Second Welland Canal,1848 Connection Bridge Intervention
Washroom
Parking
Theater in Lock
Fishing Pavilion
Bike Path
Information Pavilion
Lock 16
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Lock 19 183 m
Excavate buried lock.
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Lock 15
Exhibiting the engineering triumphs through drawings and models of the locks and the inventive machines that built the locks.
Excavate buried lock.
183 m
Lock 17
178 m
Lock 18
185 m
Lock 19
Lock 20
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 6
184 m
331 m
Lock 20
Lock 21 310 m
304 m
Thorold Downtown
325 m
Lock 21: Pavilion - Ship Building Along the Canals
The Canals have been home to enormous ship building and dry-dock operations, producing and repairing many vessels. These operations include the historic Shickluna Shipyards (1838-1890) and the Port Weller Drydocks. (1946-2013) Here you can rent a canoe to explore the remains of the submerged locks.
Lock 22
Lock 23
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 7 Thorold Museum
343 m
Lock 24: Pavilion - Perspective Lookout Tower
This 10 story tower, roughly the height of one of the 4th canal locks, allows you to observe the path you just experienced and its consumption by nature and time. You can also see the tracings of the 2nd and 3rd canals in the streets of Thorold. Finally you can fully understand and watch the massive Great Lake Freighters climb this incredible Canadian staircase into the interior of the continent.
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Second Welland Canal Park: CONNECTION Second Welland Canal park proposal. (not the primary focus of the project) Design includes access to water, access to locks, lighting, bike paths, fishing pavilions, visual connection from street level.
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Welland Canal 2, Lock 6 Axonometric 14
Third Welland Canal Park: MEMORY The primary focus of the project is on the design of the second park system, titled Memory, this park utilizes the remaining locks of the Third Welland Canal. The park connects the St. Catharines Museum, the Thorold History Museum and the current Welland Canal. The incredible story of these canals is exploded and pieced along the remaining portion of the 3rd Canal. Here a series of museum pavilions engage with the 19th century stone locks. Each pavilion communicates a fundamental piece of the passionate story of this great infrastructure project. Three pavilions are featured, grappling with the engineering triumphs, the human tragedy, and our contemporary memory and understanding of these canal projects.
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The Third Welland Canal, 1887 Memory
Canal (1933) The Welland
St.Catharines Downtown Centennial Gardens Park
Bridge Intervention
Washroom
Parking
Theater in Lock
Fishing Pavilion
Bike Path
Information Pavilion
Lock 5
Culture
Lock 6
St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Center
Welland Canal 4: Lock 3
The park begins at the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3.
430 m
Pedestrian Swing Bridge A Bridge over the current canal transports you into the park.
Lock 7
Lock 11: Pavilion - Niagara before the canals
323 m
The earliest human settlement of the area dates to 1400 AD. The Neutrals, an Iroquoian Indigenous peoples transversed Niagara with canoes they portaged over the Escarpment.
318 m
Lock 8
Lock 12: Pavilion - Politics and Economics
270 m
Recreation
Lock 9
Exhibiting the post-War of 1812 Canadian competition with the United States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
323 m
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking.
345 m
315 m
Lock 10
Lift Bridge Lock 14
242 m
315 m
Welland Canal
Lock 11
224 m
Water Remediation
Lock 12
Lock 15
294 m
tors
General Mo
224 m
Lock 16: Pavilion - Ingenuity, Engineering the Canals
Lock 13
Excavate buried lock.
Lock 14
Sport
Excavate buried lock.
348 m
Canadian National Railway Bridge
223 m
CN Railway Swing Bridge Lock 17 Pavilion - Toll Fallen Workers Memorial.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
water to be brought to surface
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
201 m
The Second Welland Canal,1848 Connection Bridge Intervention
Washroom
Parking
Theater in Lock
Fishing Pavilion
Bike Path
Information Pavilion
Lock 16
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Lock 19 183 m
Excavate buried lock.
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Lock 15
Exhibiting the engineering triumphs through drawings and models of the locks and the inventive machines that built the locks.
Excavate buried lock.
183 m
Lock 17
178 m
Lock 18
185 m
Lock 19
Lock 20
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 6
184 m
331 m
Lock 20
Lock 21 310 m
304 m
Thorold Downtown
325 m
Lock 21: Pavilion - Ship Building Along the Canals
The Canals have been home to enormous ship building and dry-dock operations, producing and repairing many vessels. These operations include the historic Shickluna Shipyards (1838-1890) and the Port Weller Drydocks. (1946-2013) Here you can rent a canoe to explore the remains of the submerged locks.
Lock 22
Lock 23
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 7 Thorold Museum
343 m
Lock 24: Pavilion - Perspective Lookout Tower
This 10 story tower, roughly the height of one of the 4th canal locks, allows you to observe the path you just experienced and its consumption by nature and time. You can also see the tracings of the 2nd and 3rd canals in the streets of Thorold. Finally you can fully understand and watch the massive Great Lake Freighters climb this incredible Canadian staircase into the interior of the continent.
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3) St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Center
Welland Canal 4: Lock 3
The park begins at the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3.
Pedestrian Swing Bridge A Bridge over the current canal transports you into the park.
Lock 11: Pavilion - Niagara before the canals
The earliest human settlement of the area dates to 1400 AD. The Neutrals, an Iroquoian Indigenous peoples transversed Niagara with canoes they portaged over the Escarpment.
318 m
Lock 12: Pavilion - Politics and Economics
Exhibiting the post-War of 1812 Canadian competition with the United States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
323 m
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking. 315 m
Lift Bridge Lock 14
elland Canal
315 m
Site Plan Enlargement
Lock 15
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The Path
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19
20
Welland Canal 3, Lock 13 Path Axonometric
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Welland Canal 3, Lock 14 Path Axonometric
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Welland Canal 3, Lock 11 Path Axonometric
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3) St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Center
Welland Canal 4: Lock 3
The park begins at the St. Catharines Museum at Lock 3.
Pedestrian Swing Bridge A Bridge over the current canal transports you into the park.
Lock 11: Pavilion - Niagara before the canals
The earliest human settlement of the area dates to 1400 AD. The Neutrals, an Iroquoian Indigenous peoples transversed Niagara with canoes they portaged over the Escarpment.
318 m
Lock 12: Pavilion - Politics and Economics
Exhibiting the post-War of 1812 Canadian competition with the United States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
323 m
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking. 315 m
Lift Bridge Lock 14
elland Canal
315 m
Site Plan Enlargement
Lock 15
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Canadian competition with the United States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking. 315 m
Lift Bridge Lock 14
Welland Canal
315 m
Lock 15
294 m
tors
General Mo
Lock 16: Pavilion - Ingenuity, Engineering the Canals 348 m
Canadian National Railway Bridge
Exhibiting the engineering triumphs through drawings and models of the locks and the inventive machines that built the locks.
CN Railway Swing Bridge Lock 17 Pavilion - Toll Fallen Workers Memorial.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Site Plan Enlargement
Lock 19 Welland
Excavate buried lock.
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Engineering Pavilion This pavilion celebrates the engineering triumphs of the canal and includes two exhibition rooms, one dedicated to the drawings and models of the locks, and another dedicated to the incredible machines that facilitated their construction. This pavilion embraces the engineering theme by being extremely operable, with large sliding doors and a suspension bridge, at which point you can see the cascading locks as they decent the escarpment.
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Inspiration
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7
5
6
8
9 4
3
2
1
1. EXHIBITION: ENGINEERING THE LOCKS 2. INFORMATION 3. OFFICE 4. EXHIBITION: THE MACHINES THAT BUILT THE LOCKS 5. FIRE PIT 6. STORAGE 7. CAFE 8. KITCHEN 9. LOCKERS FOR HIKERS 10. PLATFORM IN LOCK
Plan Lock 16
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Welland Canal 3, Lock 16 Exploded Axonometric
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Fallen Workers Pavilion This pavilion embodies the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara Region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future. It is a space communicating the stories of the people who came from dire situations in hope of a better life, and fought disease, exhaustion, alcoholism, and many work related accidents. The death toll on the 4th Welland Canal alone was 124, it is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion is the only one placed inside a lock, the design was inspired by haunting images of 19th century ship building within dry docks.
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States, and Mr. Merritt’s passion in building the canal, through historic documents and surveys.
Lock 13:
Staging Pavilion, Restrooms and Parking. 315 m
Lift Bridge Lock 14
Welland Canal
315 m
Lock 15
294 m
tors
General Mo
Lock 16: Pavilion - Ingenuity, Engineering the Canals 348 m
Canadian National Railway Bridge
Exhibiting the engineering triumphs through drawings and models of the locks and the inventive machines that built the locks.
CN Railway Swing Bridge Lock 17 Pavilion - Toll Fallen Workers Memorial.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Site19Plan Lock Welland
Enlargement
Excavate buried lock. 331 m
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Inspiration
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G R N S E I R D H E N C K E A R R O O R P W P A LEN S L N A O F I L I V A P 36
Welland Canal 3, Lock 17 Exploded Axonometric
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3
2
1 4
1. ENTRANCE 2. PHOTO GALLERY 3. REFLECTION AREA 4. STAIRS TO STORAGE AREA
3
2
1 4
A
Plan & Section Lock 17
38
39
40
Wellan
Lock 15
294 m
tors
General Mo
Lock 16: Pavilion - Ingenuity, Engineering the Canals 348 m
Canadian National Railway Bridge
Exhibiting the engineering triumphs through drawings and models of the locks and the inventive machines that built the locks.
CN Railway Swing Bridge Lock 17 Pavilion - Toll Fallen Workers Memorial.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Lock 19
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 6
331 m
Lock 20 310 m
304 m
Lock 21: Pavilion - Ship Building Along the Canals
The Canals have been home to enormous ship building and dry-dock operations, producing and repairing many vessels. These operations include the historic Shickluna Shipyards (1838-1890) and the Port Weller Drydocks. (1946-2013) Here you can rent a canoe to explore the remains of the submerged locks.
Site Plan Enlargement
325 m
Lock 22
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Canal 4: Lock 4 327 m
Welland Canal 4: Lock 5
The construction of the 4th canal took the lives of 124 people. It is undocumented how many died building the first three canals. This pavilion reflects on the human toll this infrastructure project had on the Niagara region, and the countless immigrants who died in hopes of a better future.
Lock 18
279 m
Merritton Tunnel
Train tunnel under the canal.
Lock 19
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 6
331 m
Lock 20 310 m
304 m
325 m
Lock 21: Pavilion - Ship Building Along the Canals
The Canals have been home to enormous ship building and dry-dock operations, producing and repairing many vessels. These operations include the historic Shickluna Shipyards (1838-1890) and the Port Weller Drydocks. (1946-2013) Here you can rent a canoe to explore the remains of the submerged locks.
Lock 22
Lock 23
Excavate buried lock.
Welland Canal 4: Lock 7 Thorold Museum
343 m
Lock 24: Pavilion - Perspective Lookout Tower
This 10 story tower, roughly the height of one of the 4th canal locks, allows you to observe the path you just experienced and its consumption by nature and time. You can also see the tracings of the 2nd and 3rd canals in the streets of Thorold. Finally you can fully understand and watch the massive Great Lake Freighters climb this incredible Canadian staircase into the interior of the continent.
Site Plan Enlargement
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Observation Tower This pavilion was inspired by the existing lift bridges that span the canal. These beautiful vertical structures break an otherwise flat skyline, and have been in operation since 1932. Though they are often a source of pain for local residents commuting to work, I find them one of the most fascinating features of the city. This pavilion sits at the top of the Niagara Escarpment on top of the current Welland Canal’s Lock 7 and adjacent to the buried lock 24 of the 3rd Welland Canal. An observation area at the ground level is built to watch the passing ships. An elegant wood structure holds up a steel veil. At the top, an operable glass box encloses visitors in the winter. At its 10 story height, you can observe the path you just experienced, and its consumption by nature and time. You can also see the tracings of the 2nd and 3rd canals in the streets of Thorold. Finally you can fully understand and watch the massive Great Lake Freighters climb this incredible Canadian staircase into the interior of the continent.
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Inspiration
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Welland Canal 4, Lock 7 Exploded Axonometric
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C A N A L W E L L A N D
3
1. LANDING FOR TOWER STAIRS 2. WAITING AREA 3. SEATING/VIEWING AREA
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2
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Final Models
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Model scale 1:500
Model scale 1:250
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Thanks for viewing my project proposal for the Historic Welland Canals. If you have any questions or comments feel free to email me, daviddonnelly93@gmail.com
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