BCP Competition Winner: GREEN WEAVER

Winners of the Brunswick-College Parkette Design Competition

 

Neighbourhood Second Choice:

Photo: HVRA Past Chair Gus Sinclair presents award to Steve Socha, for Green Weaver

GREEN WEAVER
Steve Socha
University of Toronto, Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
See complete submission here (pdf)

Designers' Description

Brunswick-College Parkette has the potential to serve its community and complement its surroundings in a way not realized in the current design. Improved seating and a central focus will vastly improve the usability, joy, and sense of place one would experience in the park. The new design utilizes simple and affordable benches that weave in and out of existing trees, crossing with new tree planters of native species, creating a peaceful place of meeting and relaxation.

A new cafe to the east of the park would enliven the corner, while allowing the park to double as a patio. A new employment centre would address the issue of homelessness, while speaking to the park's past.

Judges' Comments

2nd choice of
Steven Webber,
Land Use Policy Planner
School of Urban & Regional Planning, Ryerson University (& a resident of Harbord Village)Very functional and addresses the basic requirements: Excellent circulation, well-placed seating and good use of trees and other vegetation. I particularly like the idea of the solar tree, not so much for this specific structure but because it provides a focal point and conversation piece that fits with the scale of the site.

The café and employment centre are unrealistic and would have to be removed from future revisions.

(Steven later said that he might have given Green Weaver a higher rating, if he had not thought, mistakenly, that opening up Kensington Health Centre to non-medical businesses is not allowed in the competition brief.)

In fact, I would be very supportive of a proposal based on the Green Weaver scheme, but replacing it the café/centre with the vegetation included in the Intersections alternative.

Victor Ford,
OALA, CSLA, ASLA, Principal
Victor Ford and Associates Inc., Landscape Architects, Toronto
(Not placed)
- Flowing wood benches could be a strong element.
- Still a bit of a problem with the lower area.
- Tree planting is good.
- Lower planting may not survive the use of the parkette.
- Solar tree a focal point, though it could become a target for vandalism.

Michelle Reid,
Supervisor Parks Operations (Horticulture
Toronto East York, Wards 20 & 27

(Not placed)
The flow is nice, as are the benches. Area next to the health centre a little closed in. Benches without dividers will attract sleepers and skate boarders. Planting areas are indicated but no listing of plant material.

See all the submissions here.


The central feature is a solar tree, comprised of photovoltaic panels on a steel tree frame. It would collect energy to light the park at night, while reminding us of the urgent need for sustainable energies.

 

Competition Coordinators' summary notes

The central feature is a solar tree, comprised of photovoltaic panels on a steel tree frame. It would collect energy to light the park at night, while reminding us of the urgent need for sustainable energies.

A simple elegant design that was very popular with visitors to the display.

The bunker wall is lowered to bench height and used as such. (Benches shown will need to be divided to prevent sleeping on and the edges of those that are straight will need to be fitted with skateboard stops – if required by Parks and KHC.)

The existing trees are set in shallow, curbed pits in the pavement that are fringed with curved, backless benches which may not be very comfortable for sitting on. (As well as backs, they need to be divided and fitted with skateboard stops.) A solar tree provides power for lighting (which may not be adequate in winter or if lighting needs to be delivered at its present intensity.)
(Richard Longley)