Our design proposal suggests a simple, elegant, and cost-effective solution to the problems posed by the current Brunswick-College Parkette. A graceful progression of cubic landscape elements defines the edge of the park as well as entrances and circulation. Further, these elements provide a dynamic, multivalent opportunity for sitting, playing and interacting. The block scheme creates multiple spaces within one area - the blocks' varied height lets people sit near one another without sitting next to one another, allowing for privacy in public. However, the block space is flexible enough that large groups can also enjoy it, and interpersonal interaction is natural. The design calls for an imaginative array of blocks, generating an amalgam of concrete blocks and blocks with a sod substrate on a frame, in which grass actually grows right on them. Additionally, the Health Center vents are protected by bronze trillium sculptures, taking their inspiration from Ontario's official flower.
(Competitor's text)
The block scheme creates multiple spaces within one area - the blocks' varied height lets people sit near one another without sitting next to one another, allowing for pri‐ vacy in public. However, the block space is flexible enough that large groups can also enjoy it, and interpersonal interaction is natural. The design calls for an imaginative array of blocks, generating an amalgam of concrete blocks and blocks with a sod substrate on a frame, in which grass actually grows right on them. Additionally, the Health Center vents are protected by bronze trillium sculptures, taking their inspiration from Ontario's official flower. The grass‐covered blocks which define and bound this design and provide seating look fun but a likely to be costly if they are durable (and is seems likely that their grass cannot last long). They also seem to cut off the parkette, to excess, from the surrounding streetscape. The interior of the parkette is entirely grassed which cannot survive heavy traffic. The vents are protected from sleepers by metal trillium sculptures, which look like they may not be resistant to theft or vandalism.
This is a very schematic proposal, but similar to the magic carpet in engaging the whole site with a single gesture, which is a strong strategy.
Topography nice but impractical
(Excerpt from the jury's comments)
