Waterfront Index Park (2011)

WATERFRONT INDEX PARK:

Activation of a Post-Industrial, Underutilized Waterfront Edge (part of Waterfront Toronto: Port Heights Neighborhood)

Activation of the Lower Don Lands Concept Diagram

work

public space

play

live

residential services

private space

waterfront access

residential considerations

recreation tracts

connections

activation of the lower don lands level changes + variation

parks/open space

commercial/ retail

ecological systems

civil services shops

rooftops activation restaurants

cafes

overlooks creating views

urban niches

green roofs

Concept Diagram identifying various activation modules, which look to create a new identity for the Lower Don Lands, specifically the “Port Heights Neighborhood.�

entertainment

Level Activation of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram

Ground Level

Second Level

Third Level and Up Programmatic Diagram formulated around the module of activating different levels of space, while reacting to public versus private realms. Desired programs include: recreational trails, public gathering spaces, children’s play zones, commercial and retail stores and public gardens.

Block Program Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram

residential community service retail + commercial blocks residential and cultural services blocks nature walk area waterfront index park***

Programmatic Diagram depicting each of the seven neighborhood blocks, all of which have an overall identity providing for various community programs. Several blocks connect to the naturalized Don River, while others respond to the development of the Ship Channel’s waterfront.

Building Program Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram

residential community services retail + commercial market medical services cultural services health and fitness center (res) offices Ground Level

residential community services cultural services offices Second Level

residential cultural services offices Third Level and Up Programmatic Diagram breaking down each neighborhood block into site specific building programs.

Transit Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Circulation Diagram

major vehicular routes minor vehicular routes major bus routes

major vehicular routes major streetcar routes major pedestrian/bike routes minor vehicular routes

minor pedestrian/bike routes

major bus routes bus stop major streetcar routes streetcar stop major pedestrian/bike routes public gathering space minor pedestrian/bike routes bike kiosk bus stop streetcar stop public gathering space bike kiosk

Circulation Diagram developed around the concept of a “balanced street�, which promotes safe movement for both pedestrians and vehicles, while providing scenic and lively street environments.

Waterfront Index Park Individual Focus Master Plan and Site Breakdown

Master Plan Scale: 1�=100’

structured nature index (grass mound seating options) waterfront amphitheater ship channel waterfront index (concrete blocks- water access) structured nature index (seasonal meadow planters) restored habitat (forest grove) spillway bridge (pedestrian recreational tract) educational outlook piers engineered spillway (overflow channels)

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existing concrete factory (utilized for all sustainable construction)

Port Heights Neighborhood Context

Individual-scale, concrete grass seating mounds and structured vegetated planting beds represent the large-scale engineered and built ecosystems proposed as part of the naturalization process of the Don River.

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MEADOW FOREST

Informative Indexes

MARSH

Waterfront Park Index Design Concept and Program Diagram

Concrete block seating steps allow for pedestrian access into the active waterway and index two historical contexts of the Ship Channel. The index first represents the once naturalized Don River and its rocky stream banks and second, the structured rock forms represent the built and industrial uses of the Ship Channel.

PRESENT

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PAST

Public Access

ACCESS

The spillway bridge creates an active recreation tract, while also providing the public with observation piers and nature ramps which allow for education and viewing options of the new ecosystems, the stormwater spillway, and the historical Ship Channel.

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EDUCATE OBSERVE ACTIVATE

Educational Movement Systems

Concept Diagram identifying the three activation processes of the “Waterfront Index Park.� These activation strategies will highlight and educate visitors of the larger engineered, natural and historical systems on a more personal and individual scale.

Waterfront Park Index Axonometric Site Program Diagram

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Site Context

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4 3 1 2 Four main design programs are developed in this exploded axonometric diagram. Each design feature showcases and/or educates visitors of the sustainable environmental, social and historical impacts of the site.

Waterfront Index Park Sections

Scale: 1”=40’

A-A’

B-B’ Site Context

CAFE / RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE (TOTAL LENGTH 70’)

PATH (5’)

CAFE SEATING (22’)

WALKING + BIKING TRACT (15’)

GRASS MOUND SEATING (10’)

ROCK SEATING STEPS

WALKING + BIKING TRACT

ROCK SEATING STEPS

(20’)

(20’)

(35’)

WATER

Section A-A’: Complete Street, Pedestrian Tract and Waterfront Amphitheater Connection

NATURAL WETLAND ECOSYSTEM TOTAL LENGTH (40’)

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND ECOSYSTEM

CONSTRUCTED WARM SEASON MEADOW ECOSYSTEM

BOARDWALK OUTLOOK PIER

WALKING + BIKING TRACT

BOARDWALK OUTLOOK PIER

(35’)

(35’)

(20’)

(25’)

(20’)

WATER

Section B-B’: Pedestrian Tract/Spillway Bridge and Constructed Ecological Systems

Waterfront Index Park Pedestrian Tract and Spillway Bridge

Allowing public access along the spillway bridge will teach guests of the sustainable stormwater management initiatives present onsite.

The bridge piers allow visitors to trek into the restored habitats learning of the new ecological systems.

Waterfront Index Park Ship Channel Waterfront Stone Block Seating Steps

The block seating steps allow for public access to the once industrialized waterway. Now utilized as passive water recreation ports, the stone blocks bring a new historical appreciation to the once desolate edge.

Waterfront Index Park Waterfront Amphitheater Vignette One

The amphitheater provides for ample recreational opportunities and gives the community a large public gathering space, reinventing the water’s edge, and bringing new entertainment and life to the site.

Waterfront Index Park Waterfront Amphitheater Vignette Two

The waterfront is within walking distance of several apartment complexes, enticing social exploration. Additionally, recreating wildlife habitats along the Ship Channel brings back native plant and animal species, forming a naturalized sanctuary for visitors to experience.

Waterfront Park Index Index Structure Details

Structured Nature Index One: Concrete Grass Seating Mounds

Structured Nature Index Two: Concrete Seasonal Meadow Planting Beds

Structured Nature Index Three: Wooden Seating Benches with Planting Beds

Waterfront Park Index Vegetation / Animal Species / Site and Building Materials FLORA

Upland Forest

FAUNA

Red Maple

Downy Woodpecker

American Beech

White Birch

Black Cherry

White Pine

Chickadee

Northern Cardinal

Big Brown Bat

Garter Snake

Yellow Birch

Green Ash

Swamp Maple

Balsam Poplar

American Crow

Blue Jay

Virginia Opossum

American Toad

Little Bluestem

Virginia Wild Rye

Big Bluestem

Switch Grass

Canadian Flycatcher

Baltimore Oriole

Chipmunk

Eastern Grey Squirrel

Milfoils

Water Crowfoot

Water Lily

Stonewort

Great Blue Heron

Muskrat

Painted Turtle

Green Frog

Wood

Screening Metals

Ground Lighting

Turf Glass

Open Glass

Polished Metals

Wood

Screening Metals

FLORA

Treed Swamp

FAUNA

Eastern White Cedar

Flycatcher

FLORA

Upland Meadow

FAUNA

Indian Grass

American Robin

FLORA

Submergent Marsh

FAUNA

Water-star Grass

Mallard

DATUM

Site Material Palette

Concrete

DATUM

Building Material Palette

Shaded Glass

Restoring natural habitats on site brings new wildlife to the region, emphasizing a sustainable and environmental design approach. The flora and fauna of four distinct habitats are shown, as well as key site and building materials, which develop a datum for the entire neighborhood.

ASLA 2012 Student Awards

Entry Number:

General Design Category Vegetation and Animal Species List

SA-086G

Upland Forest

Treed Swamp

Upland Meadow

Submargent Marsh

Key Vegetation Species: Red Oak Sugar Maple American Beech White Pine White Birch Black Cherry Ironwood Trembling Aspen Mapleleaved Viburnum Alternate-Leaved Dogwood

Key Vegetation Species Red Oak Eastern White Cedar White Birch Yellow Birch Green Ash Swamp Maple Balsam Poplar White Elm

Key Vegetation Species Indian Grass Little Bluestem Virginia Wild Rye Big Bluestem Switchgrass Black Cherry

Key Vegetation Species: Water-star Grass Milfoils Naiads Water Crowfoot Water Celery Stonewort Water Lily

Habitat Renewal Birds: Downy Woodpecker Great-Crested Flycatcher American Crow Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird Mammals: Little Brown Bat Big Brown Bat Chipmunk Virginia Opossum Eastern Grey Squirrel Brown Snake Garter Snake

Habitat Renewal Birds: Downy Woodpecker Great-Crested Flycatcher American Crow Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird Mammals: Little Brown Bat Big Brown Bat Chipmunk Virginia Opossum

Habitat Renewal Birds: Great-Crested Flycatcher Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird

Habitat Renewal Birds: Canadian Goose Mallard Gadwall Black-Crowned Night Heron Great Blue Heron Puddle Duck

American Toad

American Toad

Muskrat Brown Snake Garter Snake

Mammals: Chipmunk Virginia Opossum Eastern Grey Squirrel Brown Snake Garter Snake Muskrat

Mammals: Green Frog Painted Turtle Brown Snake Garter Snake American Toad Otter Muskrat