Figure Ground. Market Lane Design Competition London, Ontario. Hapa Collaborative November 2011

Transcription

1 Figure Ground Market Lane Design Competition London, Ontario Hapa Collaborative November

2 Figure Ground Market Lane today is often considered a windy corridor: unpleasant, unsafe, and a route to somewhere else. Yet its presence in the mental map of most Londoners and common use as a shortcut makes it relevant and under appreciated. In the same way the downtown library has sparked renewed interest in London s downtown, Market Lane can be the outdoor opportunity to catalyze a new urban revival in the public realm. In part, the design for Market Lane must be a London narrative: a story of its central role in the agrarian history of southwestern Ontario, its location on the fabled Thames River, and its contemporary aspirations. In part, Market Lane must continue to be a linchpin in the urban apparatus, a critical shortcut that connects Dundas Street and Covent Garden Market, John Labatt Centre and Richmond Street. Most importantly, it must be elevated to a greater function: a foyer for the larger downtown venues, a porch for one of the country s most recognized digital media schools, and a living room for all Londoners. In consideration of so much potential, we offer this design proposal and the following criteria, elements we feel are critical to the success of Market Lane. 3 Market Lane Covent Garden Rotary Square JohnLabatt Centre Golden Jubilee Square Dundas Street King Street Thames River 9 Bicycle pathways Victoria Park Public Library Movement The design of Market Lane needs to address opportunities for events and activities while still functioning as a pedestrian route through the downtown core. Our design, referencing both the meander of the Thames River and the tempo of modern life and technological innovation, allows for pedestrians to move efficiently through the space, yet also encourage people to pause in their daily routine: a contrast of pace, making both more apparent. Invitation For Market Lane to be a success, the design must provide comfort and convenience for those who want to linger in, observe or participate in the theatre of everyday life of Londoners. The lane edges are a great opportunity to change the orientation and add complexity to the lane, thus contributing to its genius loci, its sense of place. We propose a design that accommodates future perforations in adjacent buildings that physically open and address the lane. Transformation The arrival of Fanshawe s Theatre Arts and Digital Media program offers limitless potential for program and activity. In addition to being a student social space, we see Market Lane as a venue for performances, exhibitions and digital displays that will transform the lane into theatre, gallery, or festival. This design proposes several opportunities for Fanshawe to partner with the City to transform the lane from the Everyday to the Event, from day to night, season to season, and year to year. Feels like a canyon... Facades are closed and unwelcoming... The view through the space is disrupted and unclear... Compress and widen space with horizontal elements Open new doors into buildings to connect the space Open up view and create a linear element which guides movement through m 5 Civic Pride As a small but vital component of downtown London s urban renewal, Market Lane should be a symbol of London s rich natural landscape, its civic heritage, and its optimism for the future. The contrast between the organic meandering form, indigenous stone paving and native plants - and hi-tech - Otto-bots, media projections and Light Sky Ceiling are a muted celebratory acknowledgment of London s roots and ambitions. Design Rationale Page of

3 Dundas Street Meander Bench Cast concrete bench of varying width and height, evoking the meander of the Thames River or the fluidity and grace of a skater. Wandering form provides nooks for seating and encourages a slower pace, and can be backed or clad in wood for more comfort. Carolinian Grove Carolinian native honeylocust trees to augment existing linden trees, provide filtered shade into the lane, and extend canopy of foliage into the art canopy. Silvacell or structural soil under paving. Riverbank Border Garden Mix of grasses, native perennials, shrubs and bulbs commonly found in the shady river valleys in the Thames watershed. Seasonally varied in colour and scent, plants are shade loving and provide a buffer between bench and brick wall. Trundle Deck Long wood deck that bridges the threshold between Fanshawe College s lobby and the lane. Long roll-out wood platform that functions as stage, seat, or porch and can be rolled back indoors when not in use. Otto-Bot Luminescent ottoman forms that provide a casual seat, cast light at night, and heat in the winter, marking a direct and linear route through the lane. Opportunity to integrate light, audio, and digital projection projects into the seats in collaboration with Fanshawe students and faculty. Light Sky Ceiling Suspended canopy to draw the viewer s eye up and create a glowing and ephemeral ceiling interweaved with the canopy of trees. Set at the soffit line of the west building, cables suspend weatherproof fabric, theatrical lighting and temporary screen walls for projection while symbolizing local innovation and civic aspirations. The canopy could be designed to promote sustainable thinking - using recycled materials and generating its own led lighting through wind power. Covent Market Place Limestone Field N Covent Market Duo tone pattern of natural limestone paving to ground the site and visually lighten and widen the lane. Trench drain at the centre of the lane to capture stormwater and snowmelt, connected to existing catch basins. Concept Plan Page of

4 Suggested Plant List Carolinian Grove Gleditsia tricanthos var. inermis Honeylocust *Two existing, healthy Linden Trees to be retained within grove Riverbank Border Garden Cornus stolonifera Red-osier Dogwood Physocarpus opulifolius Ninebark Anemone quinquefolia Wood Anemone Aster lateriflorus Calico Aster Aquilegia canadensis Wild Columbine Geranium maculatum Wild Geranium Lilium michiganese Michigan Lily Panicum virgatum Switch Grass Polygonatum pubescens Solomon s Seal Rudbeckia hirta Black-eyed Susan Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern Trillium grandiflorum Trillium Spring, Weekday Spring Fling, Band Set-Up Hot Summer Day, with Mist Screen Summer Movie Night m N Planting Plan Suggested Plants View of Market Lane on a Summer Afternoon Spring / Summer View Page 3 of

5 Fall, Weekday Winter, Weekend Winter, Evening Future Connection to Interior, Spring m N View of Market Lane on a Winter Night Light and Projection Precedents Lighting Plan Fall / Winter View Page of

6 View from above though the Light Sky Ceiling Moving through the grove Shadows and light Movement and staying in Market Lane View through to Covent Garden Market Studio Concept Model Page 5 of

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