Stratford Cooper Site Design Proposal Almeida x El-Shayeb x Lee x Rong x Stokke
Contents
1 2 4 5 7 10 12 14 16 17
Introduction & Design Brief Goals & Objectives Constraints Precedence Concept Site Plan Engineering Plan Planting Plan Summary Reference
“it is our opinion that this site is of heritage value and worthy of preservation or commemoration� -Goldsmith Borgal & Co., 2012
Introduction & Design Brief
This report has been prepared by a group of students in collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. It outlines a plan for the adaptive reuse of the historic Stratford Cooper Site that has been prepared between September and December of 2014.
repurposing materials (e.g. steel beams) which are not suitable to be used during construction for gateway features, seating and the like.
The plan aims to realize the site’s potential as a pedestrian destination, while also preserving its heritage to recognize its historic significance to the city of Stratford. A tertiary aim of the plan is to better incorporate the site with its natural environment, thereby contrasting its previously industrial nature.
-December 2014
The report will introduce the goals and objectives, constraints, precedence, and design concept of the proposal at hand.
The plan proposes to restore as much of the original building on site as possible,
Adam Lee - 20458480
Brandon Almeida - 20462085
Harrison Rong - 20474715
Hadi El-Shayeb - 20472448
Samantha Stokke - 20436783
Introduction & Design Brief // 1
Goals & Objectives
The primary goal for this vision of the Stratford Cooper site is to maintain the heritage of the site in such a way that is both economically and socially sustainable while improving the connectivity of the site to the downtown core and providing a unique pedestrian experience.
2. Economic Sustainability
By planning for the predominantly commercial (office and retail) use of the site, this proposal aims to supplement the local economy in Stratford, providing new jobs and inciting spending. This objective also aims to ensure that This is to be achieved through the creation the site will continue to be used well into the future, of several objectives: thereby avoid the perpetual state of vacancy it has been in since 1989 (MGP, 2012). 1. Heritage Preservation These uses will also be able to support There is a strong desire among the authors the maintenance costs of the building, ensuring a to preserve and/or restore the original façade of the level of upkeep that has not always been present building, wherever possible. It is acknowledged on the site. that the complete preservation of the building may not be fiscally feasible, in response to which it has 3. Social Sustainability been proposed that such areas be designed and built to reflect their original appearance as closely Another important aim of the proposal is as possible (MGP, 2012) to design the site in such a way that Stratford residents feel attached to it. If they feel some kind It is further proposed that any of the original of ownership of the site, it is highly likely that the beam structure that must be replaced be reused uses within the site will be much more successful on the site - for uses such as gateway features at and that the site in general will become a the entrances of the site to improve the visibility and destination, for both residents and visitors. character of the site. To combine these measures with interactive educational features, with respect This is again aimed at ensuring the future to the historical value of the site, would provide use of the site does not degrade - the Cooper Site the newly designed site with an exuberant sense played such an important role in Stratford’s growth of its heritage. that it should be a key aim to keep it around as long as possible.
2 // Goals & Objectives
4. Downtown Connectivity One of the current weaknesses of the site is its seeming disconnect from Stratford’s downtown core, to which it is adjacent. The site faces the back of many of the buildings in this downtown, and acts more as a barrier to it than an extension of it. In order to address this, it is proposed that Cooper Street be extended onto St. David Street so that residents living behind the site will be able to walk through it to access the downtown core. It is predicted that this usage of Cooper Street will lend itself well to, at the very least, cursory use of the site from those who might not normally use it. 5. Pedestrian Experience The diverging and converging set of paths provided throughout the landscape aim to increase the overall walkability of the downtown core by providing both direct and indirect paths across the site to create a visually and physically interesting experience. It is hoped that these paths will provide better access to desired parts of the community and inspire residents to walk more, both serving to reduce the automobile dependency of Stratford.
Goals & Objectives // 3
Constraints
Any candidate for adaptive reuse, will feature inherent difficulties in redeveloping the site with minimal destruction, and the Cooper Site is no exception to this. Some of these constraints have been briefly discussed earlier in this report, but will be examined in more detail below. 1. Visibility As it currently stands, the site is physically separated from Stratford’s downtown core. Facing the backs of many of the downtown’s buildings and being located behind facilities owned by the University of Waterloo and the YMCA, the site is to some extent hidden from the view and access of residents in the downtown area. In order to address this, it is proposed that the site include iconic gateway features at all entrances which visually describe the nature of the site. These could be constructed from repurposed steel support beams which are taken from the structurally weak areas of the building currently on site.
4 // Constraints
2. Contamination Certain parts of the existing concrete on site could expose contaminated soils if destroyed in construction, potentially raising costs by requiring additional environmental assessments to be undertaken on the site. In order to address this, the proposed landscape is built at varying elevations throughout the site; acting to subtly hide areas where higher elevations are needed to build over existing features. 3. Light/Noise Pollution Considering the nature of the proposed commercial uses and the fact that the site abuts a residential neighbourhood, noise and light pollution by-laws represent a particular concern for the use of the site. Future tenants will no doubt have to consider this while operating their businesses out of the Cooper Site.
Precedence
Sheridan College Park Mississauga, ON
Peres Center for Peace Jaffa, Israel
Sheridan College Park largely inspired the converging and diverging paths which define this proposal for the Cooper Site. In order to make the site a destination within the community, it was necessary to provide an interesting an unique experience - two things made possible by the network of paths designed on the site.
The landscape at the Peres Center for Peace heavily influenced the sloping nature of the paths designed on the site, again in an effort to provide a more interesting experience, both visually and physically.
Precedence // 5
Red Ribbon Park Qinhuangdao, China
The High Line New York City, NY
Red Ribbon Park inspired the design of the pathways throughout the site with its use of unconventional seating options and natural materials. This site managed to connect people to the environment in area which was previously avoided by most by creating a visually appealing conception of the natural landscape.
The High Line is a standout example of the ability to reconnnect nature with areas which were previously of the industrial persuasion. It successfully accomplished many of the objectives set out in this report including heritage preservation, connectivity and pedestrian experience; making it a natural sight of inspiration.
6 // Precedence
Concept
This plan aims to create a pedestrian destination out of the Stratford Cooper Site through the implementation of a number of features intended to improve the sense of place and connection that resident have in regards to it. The most important of these features will be outlined below. Water Features
Bioswales The inclusion of large bioswales in the proposed plan also serves to connect the landscape with the environment. Much like the water features, these bioswales will provide a microclimate and sense of atmosphere; but perhaps most importantly, they will work to minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with the large parking allocation on the site.
The landscape is composed of triangular spaces around which running streams create a microclimate and a sense of atmosphere. These The swales will also act as a natural habitat are intended to complement the rest of the for smaller animals in the region, even further landscape - improving its connection to nature acting to contrast the heritage of the site. and further contrasting the previously industrial nature of the site. These also serve to make the landscape a more desirable place to be. The sound of slow running water will incite a sense of tranquility throughout the landscape, making it the perfect place to relax with friends and family.
Concept // 7
Amphitheatre
Pedestrian Network
The amphitheatre is designed as a means of contextually connecting the site and the city in a historically relevant manner. An homage to the role that the GTR shops played in the beginning of the now famous Stratford festival’s past, it serves as a gathering place for residents where they can enjoy pre-arranged entertainment or even ply their own trade.
The complex network of paths designed on site intends to provide a pedestrian experience that is unparalleled in Stratford. These will foster a sense of place among visitors to the site due to their unique nature and visual appeal.
The paths also provide connections between opposing ends of the site, meaning that it will no longer be a barrier to walking in the city. The amphitheatre is a space for the In fact, there is hope that this could encourage residents. It could perhaps be managed by a walking by making it a more attractive experience. resident group to ensure equity of use and full community involvement.
8 // Concept
Locomotive Memorial
Food Carts
The locomotive memorial was inspired by the Aids Memorial in New York City - providing a modern take on rail platform design. This acts as an attraction to a part of the site that might otherwise be non-descript, and aims to subtly contribute to the sense of the site’s heritage.
The site will also provide a new take on food trucks - instead having the vendors serve out of repurposed train carts, with seating made out of vintage train related objects. This approach - inspired by the street food on Papirøen (Paper Island) in Copenhagen, Denmark - aims to further add to the sense of heritage on the site The memorial provides shade in a large by connecting residents with the history of their field area which makes it an ideal spot for picnics community. and facilitates the relaxation of visitors while also providing space for activities such as pick-up sports.
Concept // 9
Site Plan
PLAN 309 Final Site Plan: GTR Cooper Site N
Engineering Plan
PLAN 309 Engineering Plan: GTR Cooper Site N
Planting Plan
PLAN 309 Planting Plan: GTR Cooper Site N
Symbol Quantity Botanical Name
Plant Spacing Ultimate Height Flower color
Flower time
ALC
56
Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica 'Compacta' Compact Corkbark Fir
Common Name
2.5m
4m
Blue/Grey
All year
Notes
AC
15
Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost'
Japanese Maple Purple Ghost
4.0m
4.0m
Purple/Red; Red/Orange
Spring/Summer; Fall
AT
2
Acer truncatum
Shantung maple
7.0m
10m
Green/Yellow; Red/Green; Yellow/Red
Spring; Summer; Fall
AL
29
Amelanchier laevis
Snowcloud Serviceberry
4.0m
9m
Red; Blue/Green; Orange/Red
Spring; Summer; Fall
BP
30
Betula platyphylla 'Fargo'
Dakota Pinnacle Birch
3.0m
10m
Dark green; Yellow
Spring- Summer; Fall
CC
4
Carpinus caroliniana
American Hornbeam
8.0m
12m
Red/Green; Green; Yellow-Red
Spring; Summer; Fall
CCL
5
Cercis canadensis L.
Eastern Redbud
6.0m
4.5m-9m
Pink/Purple; Green
Spring; Summer
CK
8
Cornus kousa
Kousa Dogwood
4.5m
4.5m-6m
White; Maroon
Spring/Summer; Fall
Red Berries; edible
CO
14
Cotinus obovatus
American Smoke Tree
6.0m
6-9m
Green; Yellow/Orange/Red
Spring/Summer; Fall
Purple Flowers
CL
115
Cupressocyparis leylandii
Leyland Cypress
3.0m
12m-18m
Green
All year
JS
145
Juniperus scopulorum
Rocky Mountain Juniper 'Skyrocket' 1.0m
4-8m
Blue/Green
All year
MPF
7
Malus 'Prairie Fire'
Prairie Fire Crabapple
6.0m
6.0m
Pink; Purple/Red; Red/Orange; Red Fruit Sping; Summer; Fall; Winter
PSW
9
Pinus Strobus
Eatern White Pine
9.0m
15m-24m
Green
All year
PS
19
Prunus 'Spire'
Cherry 'Spire'
2.0m
2.4-3.6m
Pink
Spring
Edible berries; black/red/purple
Summary
The proposal for the Cooper Site above is one which places an emphasis on the local community. Features such as the amphitheatre centre on this principle, providing spaces explicitly designed for residents.
well into the future so that its historical value will not ever come as close to be lost again as it was in recent years.
Further, by maintaining the original faรงade of the building, and repurposing old materials The plan aims to provide a unique from it where possible, a visual sense of heritage pedestrian experience, making it a destination for will ensure that the importance of the site to the residents and visitors alike in Downtown Stratford. growth of Stratford will not be forgotten, This will allow the site to remain financially viable
16 // Summary
References
Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. (2012). The Cooper Site (Locomotive Repair Sheds Public Consultation Report. Stratford Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (2012). City of Stratford Cooper Site Building Community Workshop and Recommendations. Stratford
References // 17