WATERFRONT INDEX PARK:
Activation of a Post-Industrial, Underutilized Waterfront Edge (part of Waterfront Toronto: Port Heights Neighborhood)
Activation of the Lower Don Lands Concept Diagram
work
public space
play
live
residential services
private space
waterfront access
residential considerations
recreation tracts
connections
activation of the lower don lands level changes + variation
parks/open space
commercial/ retail
ecological systems
civil services shops
rooftops activation restaurants
cafes
overlooks creating views
urban niches
green roofs
Concept Diagram identifying various activation modules, which look to create a new identity for the Lower Don Lands, specifically the “Port Heights Neighborhood.�
entertainment
Level Activation of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram
Ground Level
Second Level
Third Level and Up Programmatic Diagram formulated around the module of activating different levels of space, while reacting to public versus private realms. Desired programs include: recreational trails, public gathering spaces, children’s play zones, commercial and retail stores and public gardens.
Block Program Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram
residential community service retail + commercial blocks residential and cultural services blocks nature walk area waterfront index park***
Programmatic Diagram depicting each of the seven neighborhood blocks, all of which have an overall identity providing for various community programs. Several blocks connect to the naturalized Don River, while others respond to the development of the Ship Channel’s waterfront.
Building Program Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Programmatic Diagram
residential community services retail + commercial market medical services cultural services health and fitness center (res) offices Ground Level
residential community services cultural services offices Second Level
residential cultural services offices Third Level and Up Programmatic Diagram breaking down each neighborhood block into site specific building programs.
Transit Development of the Port Heights Neighborhood Circulation Diagram
major vehicular routes minor vehicular routes major bus routes
major vehicular routes major streetcar routes major pedestrian/bike routes minor vehicular routes
minor pedestrian/bike routes
major bus routes bus stop major streetcar routes streetcar stop major pedestrian/bike routes public gathering space minor pedestrian/bike routes bike kiosk bus stop streetcar stop public gathering space bike kiosk
Circulation Diagram developed around the concept of a “balanced street�, which promotes safe movement for both pedestrians and vehicles, while providing scenic and lively street environments.
Waterfront Index Park Individual Focus Master Plan and Site Breakdown
Master Plan Scale: 1�=100’
structured nature index (grass mound seating options) waterfront amphitheater ship channel waterfront index (concrete blocks- water access) structured nature index (seasonal meadow planters) restored habitat (forest grove) spillway bridge (pedestrian recreational tract) educational outlook piers engineered spillway (overflow channels)
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existing concrete factory (utilized for all sustainable construction)
Port Heights Neighborhood Context
Individual-scale, concrete grass seating mounds and structured vegetated planting beds represent the large-scale engineered and built ecosystems proposed as part of the naturalization process of the Don River.
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MEADOW FOREST
Informative Indexes
MARSH
Waterfront Park Index Design Concept and Program Diagram
Concrete block seating steps allow for pedestrian access into the active waterway and index two historical contexts of the Ship Channel. The index first represents the once naturalized Don River and its rocky stream banks and second, the structured rock forms represent the built and industrial uses of the Ship Channel.
PRESENT
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PAST
Public Access
ACCESS
The spillway bridge creates an active recreation tract, while also providing the public with observation piers and nature ramps which allow for education and viewing options of the new ecosystems, the stormwater spillway, and the historical Ship Channel.
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EDUCATE OBSERVE ACTIVATE
Educational Movement Systems
Concept Diagram identifying the three activation processes of the “Waterfront Index Park.� These activation strategies will highlight and educate visitors of the larger engineered, natural and historical systems on a more personal and individual scale.
Waterfront Park Index Axonometric Site Program Diagram
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Site Context
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4 3 1 2 Four main design programs are developed in this exploded axonometric diagram. Each design feature showcases and/or educates visitors of the sustainable environmental, social and historical impacts of the site.
Waterfront Index Park Sections
Scale: 1”=40’
A-A’
B-B’ Site Context
CAFE / RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE (TOTAL LENGTH 70’)
PATH (5’)
CAFE SEATING (22’)
WALKING + BIKING TRACT (15’)
GRASS MOUND SEATING (10’)
ROCK SEATING STEPS
WALKING + BIKING TRACT
ROCK SEATING STEPS
(20’)
(20’)
(35’)
WATER
Section A-A’: Complete Street, Pedestrian Tract and Waterfront Amphitheater Connection
NATURAL WETLAND ECOSYSTEM TOTAL LENGTH (40’)
CONSTRUCTED WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
CONSTRUCTED WARM SEASON MEADOW ECOSYSTEM
BOARDWALK OUTLOOK PIER
WALKING + BIKING TRACT
BOARDWALK OUTLOOK PIER
(35’)
(35’)
(20’)
(25’)
(20’)
WATER
Section B-B’: Pedestrian Tract/Spillway Bridge and Constructed Ecological Systems
Waterfront Index Park Pedestrian Tract and Spillway Bridge
Allowing public access along the spillway bridge will teach guests of the sustainable stormwater management initiatives present onsite. The bridge piers allow visitors to trek into the restored habitats learning of the new ecological systems.
Waterfront Index Park Ship Channel Waterfront Stone Block Seating Steps
The block seating steps allow for public access to the once industrialized waterway. Now utilized as passive water recreation ports, the stone blocks bring a new historical appreciation to the once desolate edge.
Waterfront Index Park Waterfront Amphitheater Vignette One
The amphitheater provides for ample recreational opportunities and gives the community a large public gathering space, reinventing the water’s edge, and bringing new entertainment and life to the site.
Waterfront Index Park Waterfront Amphitheater Vignette Two
The waterfront is within walking distance of several apartment complexes, enticing social exploration. Additionally, recreating wildlife habitats along the Ship Channel brings back native plant and animal species, forming a naturalized sanctuary for visitors to experience.
Waterfront Park Index Index Structure Details
Structured Nature Index One: Concrete Grass Seating Mounds
Structured Nature Index Two: Concrete Seasonal Meadow Planting Beds
Structured Nature Index Three: Wooden Seating Benches with Planting Beds
Waterfront Park Index Vegetation / Animal Species / Site and Building Materials FLORA
Upland Forest
FAUNA
Red Maple
Downy Woodpecker
American Beech
White Birch
Black Cherry
White Pine
Chickadee
Northern Cardinal
Big Brown Bat
Garter Snake
Yellow Birch
Green Ash
Swamp Maple
Balsam Poplar
American Crow
Blue Jay
Virginia Opossum
American Toad
Little Bluestem
Virginia Wild Rye
Big Bluestem
Switch Grass
Canadian Flycatcher
Baltimore Oriole
Chipmunk
Eastern Grey Squirrel
Milfoils
Water Crowfoot
Water Lily
Stonewort
Great Blue Heron
Muskrat
Painted Turtle
Green Frog
Wood
Screening Metals
Ground Lighting
Turf Glass
Open Glass
Polished Metals
Wood
Screening Metals
FLORA
Treed Swamp
FAUNA
Eastern White Cedar
Flycatcher
FLORA
Upland Meadow
FAUNA
Indian Grass
American Robin
FLORA
Submergent Marsh
FAUNA
Water-star Grass
Mallard
DATUM
Site Material Palette
Concrete
DATUM
Building Material Palette
Shaded Glass
Restoring natural habitats on site brings new wildlife to the region, emphasizing a sustainable and environmental design approach. The flora and fauna of four distinct habitats are shown, as well as key site and building materials, which develop a datum for the entire neighborhood.
ASLA 2012 Student Awards
Entry Number:
General Design Category Vegetation and Animal Species List
SA-086G
Upland Forest
Treed Swamp
Upland Meadow
Submargent Marsh
Key Vegetation Species: Red Oak Sugar Maple American Beech White Pine White Birch Black Cherry Ironwood Trembling Aspen Mapleleaved Viburnum Alternate-Leaved Dogwood
Key Vegetation Species Red Oak Eastern White Cedar White Birch Yellow Birch Green Ash Swamp Maple Balsam Poplar White Elm
Key Vegetation Species Indian Grass Little Bluestem Virginia Wild Rye Big Bluestem Switchgrass Black Cherry
Key Vegetation Species: Water-star Grass Milfoils Naiads Water Crowfoot Water Celery Stonewort Water Lily
Habitat Renewal Birds: Downy Woodpecker Great-Crested Flycatcher American Crow Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird Mammals: Little Brown Bat Big Brown Bat Chipmunk Virginia Opossum Eastern Grey Squirrel Brown Snake Garter Snake
Habitat Renewal Birds: Downy Woodpecker Great-Crested Flycatcher American Crow Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird Mammals: Little Brown Bat Big Brown Bat Chipmunk Virginia Opossum
Habitat Renewal Birds: Great-Crested Flycatcher Blue Jay American Robin Chickadee Flycatcher Ruby-Throated Hummingbird Northern Cardinal Baltimore Oriole Brownheaded Cowbird
Habitat Renewal Birds: Canadian Goose Mallard Gadwall Black-Crowned Night Heron Great Blue Heron Puddle Duck
American Toad
American Toad
Muskrat Brown Snake Garter Snake
Mammals: Chipmunk Virginia Opossum Eastern Grey Squirrel Brown Snake Garter Snake Muskrat
Mammals: Green Frog Painted Turtle Brown Snake Garter Snake American Toad Otter Muskrat