false creek Grace Chang James Freeman Mika Futz Marlena Ginocchio Arianna Mao Vince Xi
table of contents 2 3
REGIONAL CONTEXT MAP NEIGHBOURHOOD MAPS
4
History & Demographics
10
Natural Factors
6 8
12 14
17
Program & Activity
Access & Circulation
Potential Developments Place Hierarchy
SITE PLANS & SECTIONS
18
Alder Bay
26
Olympic Village
20 24 28 30
Charleson Park
Leg-In-Boot Square Science World
Plaza of Nations
table of contents
1
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Stanley Park
Coal Harbour
regional context map
Downtown
1:20000 SCALE
Kitsilano
Science World
Granville Island Charleson Park
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2 regional context map
Olympic Village
t tree
BC Place
dS rrar
Bu
cif Pa ic rd leva
ic
Bo
Edgewater Casino
Plaza of Nations
ou fic B
eet ec S tr
et re St le an vil Gr
1:10 000 SCALE
Habitat Island
Olympic Village
Granville Island Sut cli Par ffe k
seawall location
Science World Cambie Street
i Pac
Queb
et
re St
cif Pa
rd va ule
Studied Seawall Seawall Secondary Roads Park
2nd Avenue
Alder Bay
Water Building
Charleson Park
Leg-in-Boot Square
ue
2
en Av d n
Road Development
6th Avenue
Mapfalse of Seawall creek
3
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history & demographics 1:10 000 SCALE
1917 Vancouver’s seawall begins construction. Different parts of the seawall is constructed and finished at varying
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4
neighbourhood scale
1973 - 80s South False Creek is redeveloped. This part of the city was especially designed with a planning department and the residents of the community.
1979 Charleson Park is built. It features a pond, waterfall, sports field and playground. The park is also a popular off-leash park.
1984 - 86 Science World and the Plaza of Nation’s is built for Expo ‘86. Both are two of a number of buildings left undemolished after the Expo.
2006 - Present Southeast False Creek construction takes place. Partly completed in time for the Olympics, Southeast False Creek was designed with the environment in mind.
2009 South False Creek Seawall reopens. Changes to the seawall from Science World to the Olympic Village is revealed to the public.
Legend Age of population of City of Vancouver:
North False Creek
Age of Population in the City of Vancouver
65+
20-64
0-19
13.6%
69.8%
16.6%
20-64: 69.8%
0-19: 16.6%
65+: 13.6%
Activities for: All Ages All
Activities for:
Ages
Families Families
Southeast False Creek
Adults
Children
Seniors Seniors
Seawall
Adults
Secondary Paths
Children
0
100m
200m
Park
Water
South False Creek Building
Road
Development
neighbourhood scale
5
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program & activity 1:10 0000 SCALE
1 Playground Children happily enjoy the colourful playscape on Granville Island. This area quite busy due to its proximity to False Creek Community Centre as well as the commercial attractions on Granville Island.
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6
neighbourhood scale
2 Athlete’s Plaza A family cycles by while creative children play a game on the parking bollards. This is a common scene in the plaza at Olympic Village. Like Granville Island, this area is near a community centre and many commercial establishments.
3 Olympic Village A frenzy of activity errupts infront of Creekside Community and Recreation Centre. This centre is hugely popular and fills this part of the Seawall with participants and people watchers.
4 Science World People crowd around the Tower of Baubel in front of Science World. This contraption is always crowded with tourists and citizens alike.
5 Cycling Pathway A steady flow of cyclists and pedestrians files along the North side of False Creek. The Southward orientation of this portion of the sea wall makes it a very popular area on a crisp January afternoon.
6 Cambie Bridge Two teenagers skateboard in the basketball court below the Cambie st Bridge. This is a good example of a space that has been adopted for a use it was not inteded for. Although it was clear at this particular time, the dry location of the court no doubt makes it attractive to skaters.
Walking Running
5
Roller Skating Skateboarding
6
Cycling
4 Dog Walking Off Leash Area
2 6
Sight seeing
3 Boating Commercial
1 Picnic Community Garden Playing School Community Center Activity Density Multiuse Area
neighbourhood scale
7
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access & circulation
1:10 0000 SCALE
1 City Connections The neighborhood scale analyzed the connections between the seawall and the surrounding city. Transit stations, access points and main roads were highlighted.
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8
neighbourhood scale
2 Skytrain Our section of the seawall is in close proximity to both major skytrain lines. The Canada Line’s Olympic Village station is on the south side and the Main St-Science World station which is, serviced by the Expo and Millennium Lines is on the east side.
3 Ferries The studied section also borders four out of the eight False Creek Ferry stops. This provides not only access to the water, but opportunities for leisure and enjoyment.
4 Parking The size and number of the parking lots surrounding the seawall were important contributors to the ease of access of a site and proved to be an important indicator of degree of use.
5 Ineffective Trails Different sections of the seawall cater predominantly to either cyclists or pedestrians. The width of the trail inherently affects the favoured mode of transportation.
6 Path hierarchy The physical separation of the paths using bollards or planters allows for ease of use for both cyclists and pedestrians.
Ex um ni
ille /M po e Lin
da na Ca ne
Li Que
bec
Stre
et
Access Points
ue
n ve tA
Skytrain False Creek Ferries Caters to cyclists Caters to pedestrians
1s
Moberly R oad
Main access roads Parking spaces
Charleson Street
Access Points
Caters to Cyclists
Skytrain
Caters to Pedestrians
Granville Ferry
Main Access Roads neighbourhood scale
9
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natural factors 1:10 000 SCALE
1 Sutcliffe Park A pruned, lone tree in the middle of a manicured, open lawn is the vision that unfold on the banks of Alder Bay. This is one example of the many municipal park spaces that dot the trail along the seawall.
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10 neighbourhood scale
Residential Parkspace This residential parkspace is found between the buildings. It is open and accessible to the public, but the public does not linger in, or even enter into, the space. Despite the wide open lawn and the presence of many available seats and the lovely fountain, there is nary a soul in the space. When contrasted with the municipal park spaces, they are visually similar, but much less used. 2
3 Habitat Island The island is a space containing many riparian and wetland vegetation aims to repair and restore habitat for many species. The success of the Habitat Island can be recognized by the return of the herring to spawn in 2008 and return of the herons and other waterfowl. Habitat Island also creates interesting site conditions with natural wetland vegetation as opposed to manmade lawn grass.
4 Hinge Park Part of the restoration habitat along with Habitat Island, the area in and around Hinge Park acts as an effective stormwater drain as well as a natural habitat for many ducks. It also offers excellent educational opportunities for learning about the natural environment, restoration and exploration.
5 Village Community Garden The community garden at the Olympic Village offers tremendous opportunities for growing food and self-sustainability. It also increases the accessibility to garden space for people who live in the surrounding high-rises.
6 Coopers’ Park Coopers’ Park is an open, off-leash dog park where dogs can romp. This space provides a place for dog owners to rendezvous and spend quality time with their pets.
6 Seawall - Our Section Seawall
3
Covered River
4
Municipal Park - Open Lawn Municipal Park - Covered Areas Residential/Commercial Park
5 Pre-1906 Shoreline 1906 Shoreline
2
1
1937 Shoreline 6
Current Shoreline
neighbourhood scale 11
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potential
1:10 000 SCALE
1 Aquilina Developments Office use is still intended for the lower floors of this tower, and one of the new ones. The upper part and the third tower will be residential. All the 614 units will be rental.
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12 neighbourhood scale
2 Plaza of Nations Proposal The project proposes up to 2,000 apartments, 350,000 sq ftv of commercial space including a hotel and retail. It also includes a new practice arena for the Canucks which would be a public skating rink the rest of the time.
3 Various Highrise Residential Developments One Pacific 68 Smithe Street (left) and 47 Nelson Street (right) are two developments within the scope of our site that will further the population density of the Northeast False Creek area.
4 The One – West First Avenue This is one example of the rapidly developing Southeast False Creek area of mostly medium to high density residential buildings.
5 Ken Spencer Science Park An outdoor educational park that offers programs for school and public visitors. It is adjacent to the TDCanadaTrust Environment Trail for bikers and pedestrians, with displays and features about False Creek’s sustainability history.
2
1 3 4
FONTS: Title: Franklin Gothic Book, 20pt Legend: Franklin Gothic Book, 7pt LINE WEIGHTS: Seawall: 2.5pt Areas of Potential/Underdevelopment side paths: 1pt Roads & Street: 0.5pt In Development Future Developments
5 City of Vancouver Properties Concord Pacific Lands BC Pavilion Corporation Lands Canadian Metropolitan Properties Aquilini Developments
neighbourhood scale 13
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place hierarchy
1:10 0000 SCALE
1 Iconic Landmarks Iconic landmarks act as wayfinders and are a means of spatially orienting oneself in a site. A memorable landmark enables immediate recognition of a given place and has the potential to become emblematic of a specific area or, on a large scale, a region, culture or ideology.
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14 neighbourhood scale
2 City Maintenance Upkeep and maintenance is critical to the success of any public place. That is not to say pristine sites are required, there is a difference between disrepair and patina.
3 Views Interest in ones surroundings is stimulated through strong aesthetics, proper framing, and establishment of secondary goals to build anticipation. However, the waterfront isn’t necessary to provide a great view. People love viewing one another as they do a sunset.
4 Habitat Island Green, especially, expansive lawns are rare in an urban setting. Parks encourage a connection to the environment and provide opportunities for habitat restoration.
5 Restaurant People are drawn to bustling and energetic locations. Despite how great a public space is, if there simply isn’t access or energy, people will tend to pass by.
6 Seating Seating, though simple, allows people to define and carve out niches of private space within the landscape. Seating, in addition to physical relief, provides opportunities for both solitude and gathering. Orientation of seating can encourage sociability, frame a view, or in the case of Olympic Village act as a path divider, stairway, playground and historical allusion.
An Analysis of Factors Determining Place Hierarchy Access
View
Retail
Food + Beverage
Public Art / Performance Areas
1 Iconic Landsmarks
4 5
3
6
Rest Areas
2 Area Upkeep
“Nature” 6
Sunlight
Energy
Increased Number
Increased Magnitude
neighbourhood scale 15
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t tree
BC Place
S rard Bur
cif Pa ic rd leva
ic
Bo
ou fic B
Site Locations 1:10 000 SCALE eet
Olympic Village
ec S tr
et re St le an vil Gr
Studied Sites Habitat Island
Granville Island Sut cli Par ffe k
Plaza of Nations Science World
Cambie Street
i Pac
Edgewater Casino
Queb
et
re St
cif Pa
rd va ule
Seawall Secondary Roads Park Water
2nd Avenue
Building
Alder Bay e
Charleson Park
Leg-in-Boot Square
d
2n
u en Av
Road Development
6th Avenue
site scale 17
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Legend Seawall Secondary Paths
Park
3 4
Water 2
Building Road Development
5
1
6
1:1000 SCALE PLAN false creek
18 site scale
1:250 SCALE SECTION
1 Neighbourhood cul-de-sacs The neighbourhood around Alder Bay is comprised of low-rise residential buildings arranged in a cul-de-sac. Certain buildings are inward facing, creating an inner courtyard for its residents and a small pocket of community.
2 Access to Waterfront The dock in Alder Bay allows for various ways to access the waterfront. The dock provides a place for canoers, kayakers and dragonboaters to launch themselves into the ocean blue.
3 Programs and Acitivities There is a variety of activities available to do at False Creek. The community center provides a space for gatherings, sports and recreation. There is also public space for art display.
alder bay
4 History The history of Granville Island is rich and diverse. The Island maintains this heritage by keeping the structure of industrial buildings and celebrating its past.
5 Environment The environment around Alder Bay is very manicured. The lawns are very well kept and the gardens are pruned and trimmed. There are many wide open lawns for children to play in.
6 The Seats that Could Be This seating area never has people in it. No one ever sits there, despite the proliferation of seating and a terrific view. There is much potential for this space to be transformed and become a much beloved area in the region.
site scale 19
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False Creek
1
Grass Bowl
Seawall Access
2
Pond
Laurel Street Access
3
Waterfall
Residential Access
4
Sportsfield
5
Playground
5
False Creek Elementary School
1
4
charleson park false creek
20 site scale
6th Avenue and Laurel Street
section cut 2 Road Seawall Secondary Paths Stormwater Drain Residential
Grass Concrete Covering Trees Building Water Access Points
3
Scale 1:1000
0
20m
40m site scale 21
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Seawall Access Charleson Park is directly adjacent to the seawall and access is available throughout the whole stretch of the park. The park creates a space of pause and activity away from the seawall.
charleson park
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22 site scale
Laurel Street Access Due to the buffer created between 6th Avenue and Charleson Park, an overhead bridge creates access to the park from Laurel Street. This connects the park and the seawall to the rest of the city.
Residential Access The residential buildings on the east side of Charleson Park also have direct access to the park. The neighbourhood follows a dendritic street system that creates very private nodes.
1
Grass Bowl This large area of Charleson Park is designated as an off-leash area. The flat open field accomodates all sorts of activity.
2
Pond This artificial pond has become a natural habitat for all sorts of birds. The pond does not drain into False Creek on the surface. There is potential for creation of a more natural stormwater drainage system here.
3
Waterfall Like the pond, the waterfall is artificially constructed. The water flows from an underground river and surfaces near the Laurel Street access and flows down the steep terrain in the form of a waterfall and eventually flows into the pond.
4
Sportsfield This area allows for all sorts of activities. Dogs are prohibited in this area.
5
Playground False Creek Elementary School uses Charleson Park as its own playground. This area is geared towards the younger population.
Scale 1:250
0
25m
50m
site scale 23
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The Context:
Leg-in-Boot Square is adjacent to the biking paths at water’s edge. It is situated at the corner of the boundary.
The square is formed between clusters of medium density residential complexes and small businesses on three sides. It can be accessed on the open side by the seawall path from the north. A passageway from the South also connects to the square.
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24 site scale
leg-in-boot square The red bricks embedded in the cobblestone floor give it a centralized feel. The line from the fountain to the water’s edge marks a sightline past the highrises of downtown to the Lions Mountain. The emanating rays from the center mark the orientation of Vancouver’s street grid.
section cut
1:250 site scale 25
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olympic village
Olympic Village provides engagement with the waterfront on a number of levels. In addition to private viewpoints, granite blocks descend into the bay, a bridge suspends viewers over a private inlet and roughly hewn stepping stones take visitors to Habitat Island
One of the few sites along the path which are sympathetic to multiple user groups. They pathway is large enough for cyclists and pedestrians alike with ambiguous seating and planters which serve as dividers and play equipment.
Hinge park references the area’s industrial past through material use while encouraging nature play, self-driven exploration of the environment.
The Salt Building, one of several heritage buildings in the area, is placed prominently within the site as a reminder of Olympic Village’s industrial origins. The use of reclaimed and recycled material throughout the Village is mirrored in the rustic architecture.
Habitat Island has successfully created herring spawning sites in the environmentally degraded bay. This area also provides educational opportunities and the furthering of environmental studies.
Nearby bus routes, a rapid transit stop and the false creek ferry make for an easily accessible site.
site scale 27
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science world
1 Expo ‘86 & Science World The Telus World of Science is one of Vancouver’s main attractions. It originally was built as Expo Centre, the main entrance for Expo ’86 and has since become one of the city’s iconic buildings. It is the most popular destination on the scope of our site.
2 Proximity to Transit The Science World site is well connected to local and rapid transit; this connection is integral to the site’s success.
3 Waterfront Views This site contains the only part of the False Creek seawall that overhangs the water. While this renders the water inaccessible it provides the opportunity for spectacular views.
Expo/Millenium Line
False Creek Ferries
Sight Seeing
Cycling
Pedestrian
Parkspace
Attracton
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28 site scale
!
4 Access to Water Within 100 meters of the site is a False Creek Ferry stop and docks for canoe-users. These compensate for the lack of water access surrounding Science world.
5 Parkspace With large expanses of green lawn, the parkspace bordering Science World provides a place for play, enjoyment and relaxation.
6 Separation of Paths This section of the seawall is most effective at separating the cycling and pedestrian paths. By using differences in elevation to separate the two, people using either mode of transportation can enjoy the space comfortably.
5
6
!
1
6
2
Main Street - Science World Station
85m 4
3
!
site scale 29
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plaza of nations
A group of people arrive on one of the False Creek Ferries that frequently arrive and depart from the dock at Plaza of Nations. These little boats move people to a number of locations along False Creek such as Granville Island and Olympic Village.
The Amphitheatre sits empty on a chilly Saturday afternoon. This emptyness is characteristic of this site. Only when special events are scheduled does this site transform.
False Creek Ferries
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30 site scale
People paddle past the Plaza of Nations and admire the city skyline beyond. The small patch of trees stands out juxtaposed against the forest of concrete surrounding it. These trees create a wonderfly quiet and peaceful space that is unitque in this part of the city.
Seawall
The sound of the water funelling through the cracks in this tidal fountain accentuates the view of False Creek and Habitat Island beyond. This small viewing space is framed by the trees on one side, the casino on the other and the flag poles behind.
The foo dogs at the entrance of the Edgewater Casino greet the establishment’s patrons. This Casino has a large influence on the character of the site and is responsible for most of the traffic here.
The many flag poles at Plaza of Nations stand naked, creating a fascinating field condition. Framed between the rows is one of the most recent residential developments in Vancouver. This is the beginning of a lot of development planned and will eventually completely chage the Plaza of Nations.
Plaza
PLAZA OF NATIONS SECTION: 1:250 SCALE
BLVD 22 Nightclub
1m .5m
Gossip Nightclub
0m
Edgewater Casino
Plaza of Nations Marina
1m .5m 0m
False Creek Ferries
The Plaza of Nations is a rem- 1:1000 SCALE nantSITE from PLAN Expo ‘86. The remaining buildings are now occupied by two The Plaza of Nations is a remnant from night clubs and a casino. These busiExpo ‘86. The remaining buildings are now nesses give this area a distinctly differoccupied by two night clubs and a casino. ent feel from the restgive of this thearea Seawall. These businesses a Daytime activities are primarily limited distinctly different feel from the rest of the to cyclists commuting along the SeaSeawall. Daytime activities are primarily walllimited and atofew degenerate cyclists commutinggamblers along the smoking front the casino. The site Seawallin and a fewofdegenerate gamblers is much busier durring evening hours, smoking in front of the casino. especially onisthe weekends when the The site much busier during evening hours, especially on the weekends when night clubs draw large crowds. Despite the in night clubs draw large crowds. Despite being a state of subtle disrepair, the being in a state of subtlein disrepair, the is amphitheatre centred the plaza the plazaDurring is still stillamphitheatre utilized for centred specialinevents. utilized forthis special During such such times, siteevents. is transformed this site transformed into a frenzy intotimes, a frenzy of is activity remeniscent of of activity remeniscent of the expo. the expo. Although this site has many Although this site has many personalities it is primarily a quiet personalities it is primarily a quiet place. place. The small patch of trees on the The small patch of trees on the South South West corner of the site is unique West corner of the site is unique along the along the North bank of False Creek. North bank of False Creek. These trees These trees create a private space with create a private space with a natural bank a natural bank and access to the water. and access to the water.
N Scale - 1:500 site scale 31
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