Prime consideration was given to all areas of this development with emphasis on the scale, view, density and integrity of design. We felt that the Bassin Louise deserved a certain respect in order to live as an entity and not be dominated by built-forms. Therefore, from the Terraced housing to the north ground through the Recreation Facilities, the Market and to the Street Related Units to the South, the Bassin was treated as a show place of activity which could finger out into the surrounding development at a scale which was unobtrusive.
South Housing Site
The site and height of the buildings in the area of this site dictated a scale of housing which was three to four stories in height of conventional construction. We also felt that because of this site's particular relationship to the Bassin, as opposed to a position affording distant views, it should be very pedestrian oriented. With this in mind all units were designed to be grade related with direct access to a public street which had a direct view and access to the parkland, promenade and water activities. In addition these units have a sense of privacy on the inner plaza which provides for private and semi-private landscaped spaces over the parking facilities which are half a level down from grade. We also tried to give this area a feeling of neighborhood at a density where the housing would be affordable but at the same time be special in its relationship to grade and hence Bassin Louise.
North Housing Site
The unusual characteristics of this site is that it has both a relationship to the Bassin and a spectacular view to the Northern exposure. To deal with this dichotomy of the site, unlike the proposed housing to the south, was perceived to have a back and a front. The back is not directly grade related and contains two levels of parking, vehicular entrance and visitors' entrance on the third level and landscaped pedestrian podium on the fourth level. A scaled down, single loaded corridor slab-type building of shear wall construction then oriented on the podium to take advantage of the view to the North and North-East and at the same time giving those people a dramatic view of the Bassin from the corridor system. On the Bassin side of the podium, terraced units, which are grade related rise up from the parkland of the Bassin to join the higher elements. This massing was developed to maintain a pedestrian scale immediate to the movement systems around the water's edge.
Market Place
The required structure has been designed as an intimated market square which, with its dome and almost classically formal layout solve the pedestrian movement patterns while presenting a permanent landmark in scale with the site. Sixteen stalls are arranged within the building and stalls rim the exterior, enjoying protection under the great expansive roof. Beyond the market square building groups of six stalls cluster around the structure of a light wood/metal roof. The clusters are organized to allow easy pedestrian access in both directions and truck access as required in one direction.
(From competitor's text)
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