Premise : City Cultural & Ecological Restoration
Intro : Vision towards regenerative architecture
Our vision is to use regenerative architecture as an approach towards our creating a thriving cultural hub for the city of Sudbury. Considering the current on-going development of the city, 3 main concepts were developed in order to come up with a solution to help improve and strengthen the relationship between the historical and cultural significance of the land and social interaction between existing residents and future immigrants. The three concepts include social and cultural connections restoration and regenerative building typologies.
These three concepts tied together through regenerative architecture will create more opportunity for growth within the city as a thriving multicultural community that cares about the environmental wellness and recognizes the land and its history for future generations with relation to smart technological advancements.
Restoration
Introducing natural systems into the built environment such as bio-swales and communal on-site water treatment will not only improve the water quality of Sudbury, but also mitigate flooding issues that may arise in the future due to changing climates and other weather conditions. Our proposal of these interventions poses minimal infrastructural changes to the existing buildings which can be beneficial for the future integration of this idea into the downtown core. This intervention can be easily adapted to be used in the future by older heritage sites as well as retrofit buildings and new developments. These systems further enhance the look of the existing streetscapes as the plants and nature used in them adds more life to the built environment and will continue to thrive in a regenerative cycle. We also propose for an innovative solution to the existing landfill that allows an opportunity to re-use resources and generate usable energy for the city of Sudbury.
Our interventions for the restoration of the City of Sudbury allows for the community and the land to grow together. As we approach solutions that the public can learn from and contribute to while creating valuable connections between the existing land and its cultural heritage. Spreading the idea of giving back to the land we take from as an important valuable lesson to carry into future generations as a growing society.
Regenerative Building typologies
Focusing on different building typologies within the downtown core created more opportunity for the built environment to connect with the users. By retrofitting existing structures with natural materials, such as wood, the buildings create a visual dialogue between the history and culture of Sudbury also adding more interest in the current streetscape. Incorporating vertical green walls on blank facades as a sustainable cooling method and an alternative source for food production. 40 percent of all commercial rooftops will be converted into green roofs. This also allows for the use of more native plants and nature within the urban core. Food production will also be a main focus through the green roofs and rooftop community gardens to promote local food sourcing.
Also, transforming vacant properties into usable spaces for community building within the city. Integrating renewable-energy production and conservation through Solar energy. Incorporating the net-zero home principles and practices within both new and retrofit developments throughout the downtown core. Lastly, by converting 20 percent of the existing parking lots into future proof parking structures. This will aid in traffic congestion and create an opportunity for the structures to adapt into mixed units for housing and agriculture need to support future population growth. Adopting the current building typologies with these improvements would further enhance and add value to the built environment and strengthen the social and cultural connection with the city.
Focusing on current issues and existing environmental conditions has helped us come up with ways to improve the future use and patterns of the city to better serve the people while improving environmental health simultaneously. Our proposal towards the future for the City of Sudbury is to come up with innovative approaches towards regenerative architecture and renewable-energy resources that will strengthen the ties between people and the built environment within the downtown core.
Social & Cultural Connections
The integration of more green spaces will allow for more interaction and community building opportunities among those residing in and outside the city. More outdoor spaces improve social interaction and promote health and wellness for the public creating a positive and thriving city environment. We strive to create a strong sense of community through the use of history and the help of indigenous culture and communities to raise awareness and knowledge for heritage and culture between newcomers and existing residents.
Having more greenspaces and social spaces will also allow for people to re-connect with the natural environment. The proposed community gardens and green roofs will utilize native plants and resources to help grow local crops and produce as well as spreading knowledge of Indigenous cultures, values and practices. We also propose to convert unused railway tracks into pathways and piers to allow the public to interact and acknowledge the history Sudbury and its industrial landscape. The pathways and piers created accessible social spaces such as stages with seating areas that will host events and concerts for more community engagement.
Another intervention is the skate trail along the side railway yard that helps connect Laurentian with the farmer's market creating ample opportunities of activity and interaction that connect through different parks and socio-cultural activities such as outdoor performance spaces, open air art galleries as well as community gardens. The skate path also doubles as a roller skate path during the summers.
Our parks also highlight cultural value though infrastructure such as wooden arched pathways and green walls that incorporate natural resources that add a sense of life and character to the otherwise blank hardscapes. Another intervention to further enhance interaction among the people and the existing land is by having an interactive kiosk that shares a map and other knowledgeable facts about the significance and history of the land. These kiosks, placed at specific locations within the downtown core, will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about their land and create deeper connections with their surroundings.
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5 scanned / 5 viewable
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