Barn(E) The Electric Barn // 2016 URB PRK Competition Winner // Edmonton, Alberta // July 2016 - Aug 2016 // Produced with Daniel Szymanski, Cody Jew, Ivan Au // Website: archisaurus.wordpress.com OVERVIEW Barn(E) is the winning design in the 2016 URB PRK design
Archisaurus S t u d i o s
competition sponsored by CafÊ Mosaics in Edmonton, Alberta. It was installed along the parking lanes of Whyte Avenue, East of 109st during the months of July and August 2016. The space was used as a parklet space that also hosted a concert series once a week throughout the summer. The cladding was made of cedar wood stripped from a 90-year-old barn, all donated to Habitat for Humanity ReStore at the end of its lifecycle, creating an entirely sustainable design. The Edmonton Native Plant Group donated and maintained plants for the structure and reclaimed them at the end of the summer. Another feature of the parklet was an electric bike generator made by Jan Przysiezniak from the Edmonton Bicycle Commuter Society. The bike was used to charge the user’s phone, as well as power LED lights that were strung Archisaurus throughout timed to light up for one hour a night. S t u d ithe o structure s
Detail and Photograph of South Facing Louvres
Detail and Photograph of South Facing Louvres
90 Year Old Barn Lumber
Pre-Occupancy
Native Alberta Plant Species
Saturday Concert Series
Hand Built Bike Generator
Occupancy
LEDs Powered by Bike Generator
Wood Donated to Habitat
Post-Occupancy
Design Concept The design concept aimed to maximize community involvement in both the process and final built space. Thus, the donation of the barn lumber was the starting point to the design. Monolithically framed triangles undulate to adjust for sightlines, shade, blocking vehicle noise and to create the amphitheatre for performances. The wooden slats rotate to achieve a porosity gradient across the surface. Simultaneously, these allow for the LED lights to spill out of the structure and light up the area. The design opens into the operable spaces of Cafe Mosaics, and can be understood as reaching into the cafe.
North Elevation
South Elevation
Plan
109 st
WHYTE ave
URB PRK Site, Edmonton, AB
URB PRK Competition In the spirit of the MoMa PS1 exhibitions held in Long Island, the URB PRK parklet aimed to create an outdoor summer refuge in two parking stalls located in front of Cafe Mosaics in Edmonton. The design was selected based on sustainable and innovative strategies and materials that addressed the following concerns: 1. Seating 2. Shade 3. Relationship to busy street 4. Bicycle Parking 5. Usable space for buskers 6. Pet Friendly Considerations 7. Durability for Public Use 8. Safety and Vandalism 9. Meet Design-Build Budget of $2000
Juror Criteria 25% 25% 25% 25%
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Creative Design Sustainability Usability Affordability
Site Analysis
The URB PRK site is located at the intersection of two of Edmonton’s busiest and most vibrants streets. With the vibrant surrounding of Whyte Ave, keeping in the collaborative spirit of URB PRK and of Cafe Mosaics, the opportunity to further integrate and promote the near community became the central thesis of the project proposal. That is, to utilize, empower and give back to the local community, local non-profit organizations, and local businesses.
109 st
WHYTE ave
1 PM
6 PM
Sun Analysis
August 31
June 1
The parklet would be operating during the months of July and August. As shading was an important criteria consideration for the competition, sun would play a variable in determining wall heights and orientation. The sun analysis determined that there was significant shading provided from the adjacent tree canopy during noon hours. How ever there was a large gap in exposure from mid afternoon to late evening that needed to be taken in to consideration.
SUN STUDIES
LINO MUSIC NEW & USED
CAFE MOSAICS
FRIENDS & NEGHBOURS CAFE
10848 - 82ND AVENUE
10844 - 82ND AVENUE
10834 - 82ND AVENUE
LONG & MCOUADE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 10832 - 82ND AVENUE PARKING METER NEWSPAPER BOXES LIGHT STANDARD
SIDEWALK LOADING ZONE SIGN BIKE RACK
WASTE RECEPTACAL
TRUCK ROUTE SIGN PARKING METER BIKE RACK
FIRE HYDRANT
PAVERS
FIRE HYDRANT ZONE
LOADING ZONE
82 AVENUE WESTBOUND DRIVING LANE
DRIVING LANE
MEDIAN
Existing Site Plan
DRIVING LANE
URB PRK Site, Edmonton, AB
Design Concept The intent was to establish a parklet that would mitigate sound pollution generated by the busy roadway while increasing the quality of sound of the adjacent café and provide an inclusive busker/seating space. Thus, the form undulates, growing to the busker area and creating a clamshell for better projection of sound into the cafe during Saturday concerts. The slats are spaced apart, creating a Moiré pattern, allowing for light to pass through and blocking the sound from the streets.
North Elevation
Budget STRUCTURE 2x4 Lumber $350 Screws $100 Barn Wood Donated
South Elevation
TRANSPORTATION U-Haul $300 BIKE GENERATOR Bike Parts Donated Generator Donated Battery $100 Power Inverter $100 LED Lights $100 Labour $150
East Elevation
PLANTERS Plants Donated Soil $75 Total Cost $1225
West Elevation
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Site Plan
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Initial Concept for the URB PRK submission
URB PRK Render from Cafe Mosaics
Night Render showing LEDs
Slat Details
North Elevation
South Elevation
West Elevation
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1. Extrude wall to create barrier
2. crea
4. Guide views and directionality
5. seat
COMMUNITY INTERACTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
UP
FORM FINDING AND PROGRAMMING
SITE PLAN
East Elevation
Winning Competition Entry
BARN(E)
THE ELECTRIC BARN BUDGET STRUCTURE 2x4 Lumber - $350 Screws - $50 Barn wood – Donation TRANSPORTATION FOR STRUCTURE U-Haul - $300 BIKE GENERATOR Bike parts and generator – Donation Battery - $100 Power inverter - $100 Lights - $100 Labor for bike construction - $15/hour x 10 hours = $150 OTHER Grass - $75 TOTAL COST - $1225
Recess wall to ate bike parking
CONCEPT Barn (E) is a mixed use installation which incorporates seating, a busker space, shading, bike parking and more. The angle of the slatted panels control the shelter offered by the structure by regulating the amount of sunlight and wind which is allowed to penetrate through. The slats also provide a second layer of visual interest through the generation of a moiré effect. At night, this pattern is emphasized through the use of lighting elements integrated into the structure of the installation.
in exchange for our assistance to deconstruct the donor’s barn. One of the main attractions of Barn (E) is a stationary bike powered generator. We envision the generator being used to power lighting and speakers within in the structure. We were able to contact a member of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society (EBC), who has built multiple bike generators in the past, who has graciously offered to help us. The generator will be primarily be constructed of reclaimed bicycle parts and other donated components from EBC.
SUSTAINABILITY In addressing sustainability, Barn (E) will primarily be constructed of reclaimed lumber. The structure will be framed with construction grade lumber and the cladding elements will be composed of reclaimed barn wood. The barn wood has been kindly donated
CONSTRUCTION The majority of the structure is broken down into 5 modules to improve efficiency and ease when transporting the entire structure from the building site to its final destination. The base of the structure will be composed by 2x6 woods studs set at
12” on center to achieve the required 100 per square foot load. Once on site, the floor plate will be raised using various shim sizes to maintain a clear path for rainwater flow along the street and connecting flush with the adjacent street. The main walls will be constructed using 2x6 studs cut diagonally to generate two pieces. They will then be installed at angulating angles to achieve the desired slope of the slatted walls. The studs will be set at 18” on centre. Seating will be constructed out of 2x4 studs, complete with bracing to transfer loads down to the floor. Horizontal studs will be set at 18” o.c. The static slats composed of recycled barn wood will be added to the floor area, seating, planter, and the wall behind the designated busker area. These slats will be connected directly to studs behind using deck screws and fastened to the wall 18 o.c. The area of both the bike storage
and bike generator is composed of 2x6 studs cut at a diagonal. These are attached to the floor framing. The dynamic slats are organized from closed to open position as they move up the wall. The slats are connected at one end directly to the stud wall. Lateral shims are used to achieve both the desired angle and provide additional lateral support between the wall and wood slats. DISMANTLEMENT/DISPOSAL We will erect and dismantle the structure ourselves. Habitat for Humanity Edmonton has agreed to take the reclaimed wood and the lumber for resale in their ReStore, a reclaimed material retailer that donates all the proceeds are used to support Habitat for Humanity Edmonton projects. The parts for the bike generator will be either taken by us, or returned to the Edmonton Cycle Community.
3. Create clamshell for busker space Screws
Pull to create ting and planters
6. Articulate
1. Recycled barn wood 2. Donating used barn wood to Habitat for Humanity 3. Native Alberta grass species 4. Bike generator from EBC
CONSTRUCTION LOGIC
Main structure
Slat Slat Angle
2x6 Support Seating Framing
Bike Parking
Slat Assembly Detail
barn urb prk site, edmonton
build site, androsan
barn site, hay lakes
Hay Lakes Barn
Hay Lakes Barn The team came across a decrepid 90-year old barn located 30 minutes south of Edmonton that was slated for demolition. Two of the attractive features of the materiality were that over its life it created a natural patina that accentuated the texture of the wood and the wood was cedar a good material for being left to deal with the elements.
Triangulated Stick Frame Construction
Exploded Axon of the Parklet Build Logic
Exploded Panel Detail
Detail and Photograph of South Facing Louvres
Bike Generator Jan Przysiezniak of the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters built the bike generator from scrap parts, including an old lawn mower motor, a broken bike frame, scrap metal from a discarded. The battery for the generator was a repurposed car battery with an inverter. The bike generator featured a USB charger for phones, and a fan that would only be powered when the bike was pedaled. Excessive power was stored into the the battery, that powered the structure’s LED lights at night.
Circuit Diagram of Bike Generator
Local Plant Species Archisaurus Studios partnered up with Judith Golub, Cherry Dodd and Dennis Lawson from the Edmonton Native Plant Group to bring native plants to Barn(E). Native plant species are much more resilient to disease, changing weather conditions, and use less water. In addition, plants decrease storm water run-off while providing a pleasant spectacle. These plants included Harebells, meadow blazing-star, smooth fleabane, sage and small-flowered rice grass.
build site, androsan
Transportation and Set Up Part of the foresight in the project was the realization that the parklet would need to be built offsite and assembled in one day. After the design was finalized the structure was subdivided into five modular units connected using anchor bolts and reinforced by the walls. The walls themselves were modular triangular units that fit together when assembled on site. This was then rebuilt within two days.
urb park site, edmonton
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Ward 8 Councillor Ben Henderson
Opening Day The grand unveiling of Barn(E) occured July 3, opening to the public. Ward 8 Councillor Ben Henderson, was in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony, which was followed by performances from Toy Gun Dance Theatre and Don’t Eat the DJ.
Improv Dance Performance by Toy Gun Dance Theatre
Don’t Eat the DJ Performance
Saturday Concert Series
A weekly concert series featuring a series of young local upcoming artists was organized by Welcome to the West and performed at the URB PRK parklet. Each week, a new art piece would also be created for the concert series by Haylee Fortin.
Posters and Promotional Material for the URB PRK Electric Barn Saturday Concert Series by Khuyen Khuong
Detail and Photograph of South Facing Louvres Accompanying Artwork by Haylee Fortin
Life of a Parklet
After the parklet was built, it took on a life of it’s own. People began using the park in ways that were both designed for, and unanticipated in the summer months. The most suprising event was an impomptu video game night where park-goers brought their own screen and gaming system.
Deconstruction and Recyling of the URB PRK Structure
Death of a Parklet
As important as the conception, design and construction was to the team, the end-cycle was equally important. Anchisaurus partnered with Habitat for Humanity, specifically their ReStore department which offered to take all the wood from the project after the tare down date. ReStore would then either use the would in for various other project or resell the reclaimed wood to generate capital for their cause.
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