The competition area is not an urban space at the moment. The scrubs and trees planted in the 80´s transformed into a jungle. The strong separation between Kensington Health Center and the Brunswick-College Parkette by a massive concrete planter box intensified the not carming charactor of this place in the cultural heart of the city. So the architectural concept has to be:
STABILITY - UTILITY - AMENITY
To gain this concept, the existing structure has to be deconstructed in most parts. Three major elements will domintate the square in the future: limestone, grass and water. All elements are natural elements. Rusted steel fins will be used to seperate the elements and to create a difference in the water level. To connect the Kensington Health Center better to the Parkette, muliple stairs and ramps will be added in generous dimensions and styles. Another major design issue is to remove the "garbage-trapping iron benches" and replace them by free standing design benches with wooden decking on the square. Residents as well as tourist will enjoy a break here. Another advantage of the free standing design is the impossibility to use the benches any longer for sleeping. But not just the benches will host comfort. By removing the concrete planter box future cafés, shops or social institutions have the possibility to use outside seating areas, while not interfering with the public use of the square. The greenery concept itself is simple and easy to maintain in the future. Instead of planting a lot of trees and scrubs again, one striking maple will dominate the square. The grass inside its boxes can be cut easily. The expressive and efficient design allows the promotion of the parkette with its prime location to the neighbourhood and the city.
(Competitor's text)
An apparently austerely simple but actually complex design which eliminates the bunker wall and connects the park space and KHC with staggered rows of steps and a ramp for people with disabilities. The pavement has an E‐W grid pattern of strips of concrete which alternate with strips of grass - which will likely be walked upon by people moving through the parkette (hundreds in a typical day.) There is just one tree at the centre and two cascading rivers (which might pose a safety hazard) to the tree's north and south. Backless benches - broad enough to be slept upon - are scattered throughout the park space.
Nice and open with very graphic paving.
Well‐drawn scheme, but the effect is quite spare, and it reads as very maintenance heavy; perhaps more shade would improve it.
(Excerpt from the jury's comments)
