Workshop Purpose Workshop Agenda Discussion Group Questions

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Workshop Purpose Workshop Agenda Discussion Group Questions"

Laurel Mathews
5 years ago
Views:

1 Library Garden Co-Discovery Workshop Group Discussion Notes September 30, 2015 Workshop Purpose Building on the Library Garden Values + Revitalization Study and project Design Brief, establish a common understanding of the combined projects with the goal of developing of a unified design direction to guide the design of Library Garden and its interface with the Indian Residential Schools History and Dialogue Centre. Workshop Agenda Welcome & Introduction o Welcome o Workshop Purpose o Musqueam Welcome Background and Project Purpose o History of Library Garden and Preliminary Objectives o IRSHDC Purpose, Role, Opportunity o Process and Schedule Brainstorm: 4 breakout groups Report Back Directions and Design Inspiration Next Steps and Wrap Up Discussion Group Questions 1. What should be the character, identity and expression of Library Garden? 2. What history, values and meaning (if any) should be reflected in Library Garden (for the landscape and the interface between the landscape and Indian Residential Schools History and Dialogue Centre)? 3. What types of outdoor activities and features could Library Garden support (e.g. types of seating, accessible pathways)? 1

2 4. What sustainability features should be incorporated into Library Garden to reduce its environmental impact (e.g. types of materials used, drought tolerant plants, storm water capture)? Discussion Group Flip Chart Notes Gerry and Chris (page 1) History/ Meaning/ Legacy Forest Evolved History- many layers **History of respite/ Contemplation (reflection) **Sense of transition- from academic 2 historic planned gardens o Exotic native plants o Stream o Botanical past o Layers of landscapes and history Recognize these Experience (Creative Tension) **Duality of landscapes- formal edges and inform Prospect and refuge important (nestled yet view) Busy edges and quiet centre The hole is a big challenge a dead space (page 2) Park o green, peaceful o contrast to other spaces **Places to sit **Rain cover When Library entry lower level it was more active/ meeting place People go around the space not thru space Before the hole space used to be social and active o used to be a centre of campus activity o events and every day 2

3 ****Look to opportunities to make the space more social o Quiet social space? Library Seen as a refuge green o Does it need to be more social less refuge Role or RSCD? To reinvigorate Library square or not Barber C. has every atedoe of Space (page 3) *Expand Ike B Centre *Energy into space- inside/outside Recognize Changing nature of Libraries o Less about books o More about learning, dialogue *******Learning Landscape/ Commons as focus o Libraries and Centre of Dial. Learners Walk o Expand o Places to meet, chat ****Remove the barriers to access into core of space Accessibility important- ex. Important A cup of tea in the space encourage social thru food ****** Bridge barber to Main Mall o Routes in and thru o Invitation o The Bldg becomes the bridge o Bridge Culture *Resiliency o Sustainability o Digging ourselves out of a hole o Original space was more resilient o Think future as library 3

4 Table # 3 Facilitator: Marta (page1) Character/ Expression/ Identity Intimacy- Preserve and Enhance Collection of different pieces and lots of choices within space o Has led to loss of place? o Deserves design that gives it stronger identity of place Soft place on campus Relief from business of campus Atypical pedestrian experience Creation of informal connection paths Functional connection required Acknowledgement of transition of space and character use changes Provides moments for escape Small pocket of forest (page 2) Buildings should go with gardens link the character A lot of stone- helps ground the space Design very much of its era- without permanence History/ Values/ Meaning Features of sunkeness- does this need to be preserved? Sunkeness- changes soundscape- enables quiet escape Location of entrance will be important consideration- impacts on quiet contemplative space Need thoughtful interface between IRSHDC and gardens o Take advantage of green space o Calming effect Reflective quality important to preserve Use entrance and exit to enhance experience (page 3) 4

5 Retention of green space important Need to manage how people move through the space and interface with IRSHDC Moment of rupture on campus o Transformative moments o Rectalinear formation does not align with Musqueam History o Inversion of space-important o Using ecosystem to support the space o Symbolize back to rainforest Types of activities Currently passive space Formal group gathering around Dialogue Centre View corridor west to east important to maintain and the libraries together visually Experiential learning environment o Return to the forest Juxtaposition or formal and informal (page 4) Group # 3 Outcomes Consensus and Inspirations 1. Keep it green and heighten informality in contrast to formality of campus 2. Inversion as cornerstone of storytelling 3. Ecology should be genuine and functional to advance sustainability and highly integrated design 4. Embrace this space as a quiet contemplative space in contrast to the business around 5. Be very deliberate about adding paths through contemplative ctr. stroll paths vs. getting there paths 6. Maintain/ respect visual connection between libraries Table 4 Facilitator: Gabby (page 1) Character/ Identity/ Expression Indigenous plants o stepping into another world 5

6 o Moving away from the buzz and moving into the a different space and mindset as you go in and out of the building Transitional spaces A place to decompress- get away from the hub of activity Quiet place to disengage/ decompress o For students and visitors a place to absorb what they are learning (page 2) Soft Noise - flow of water at Longhouse and the potential calming effect Idea of transition- is it immediate or gentle transition? Current element of danger in stairs- challenge in pathways (Belkin) Artist potential for underground bell o Next to clock tower o Strong timekeeping- pulse o Bell to ring to recognize events o Cultural memory tie o Timing- likely in landscape design (page 3) IRSHDC o Trigger for memory o Potential emotional trigger for survivors Could be a tool for dialogue- of being connected to other events and important moments in time (could build in IRSHDC events and remembrance) Clock tower- unsure of time keeping function currently (page 4) History/ Value/ Meaning Stories/ history/ how to express in garden Idea of learning o Also a place for learning for Musqueam o Quiet reflections is an opportunity to learn too- being in balance internally, quieting self, absorbing/ reflecting on how to engage. o Learning about indigenous/ traditional plants- ethnobotany education Musqueam words for each plant Centennial Project 6

7 Preserving blackberries/ salal berries Apple trees- residential school stories about collecting apples but no access to them o Opportunity to have crab apple- free and encouraging people to enjoy them (page 5) Wild cherries- used medicinally and for weaving o Teaching landscape/ interpretive Edible ferns/ skunk cabbage/ stinging nettles Cleansing- Red Cedar Use what has been developed for Centennial project o weave in MOA, FN Longhouse, UBC Farm o becomes bigger than just Library Garden (page 6) Activities/ Features- Weave in Sustainability Circulation- safe easy access Gradual entry- weaving/ meandering Maintain serenity with openness and permeable (North side more challenging) Overgrown/not maintained-outdated furniture Sound of water Safety connecting the sightlines, lighting (page 7) Views to the new building from adjacent locations Not ceremonial at moment Active uses opportunities o Classroom uses o Outdoor Library o Music (drums- natural amplification) o Seating (transformed stairs) o Exhibit space Canopy 7

8 Summary 5-10 points- New/ Inspiration 1. Stepping into another World 2. Pulse time- temporal, history, memory a. New Belkin Bell, water, sound/music 3. Quiet place to absorb 4. Accessibility- non-obstructive, organic, safe 5. Traditional/ indigenous planting a. Weaving in MOA, UBC Farm b. Interpretive aspect c. Learning Landscape d. Reclamation 8

97 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7QL London Borough of Waltham Forest December 2015

97 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, E10 7QL London Borough of Waltham Forest December 2015 Public Realm and Landscape Proposals LEA BRIDGE ROAD, WALTHAMSTOW Public Realm & Landscape Proposals BDP(90)RPT001 December