Iris-descence

Community Housing Development Iris St | Ottawa, Canada

Iridescence is a lustrous rainbow-like play of colour caused by the differential refraction of light waves. Similar to iridescence, I developed a proposal that reflects its surrounding. As different colours come together in a rainbow, various lifestyles would come together in this community. In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and a messenger for Zeus. She carried messages from heaven to earth on the arc of the rainbow. Inspired by Iris’ travels, a path with arced bridges runs along the side of the site reaching public transit.

Human irises can witness the iris flowers’ beauty. Visibility for safety was carefully considered for this proposal. A private park with a pond is located at the center of the site, embraced by surrounding buildings. The park creates an intimacy that dwellers would not have in Pinecrest Park. The pond would be large enough to make a hockey rink when it freezes in the winter, which adds to the existing recreational theme of Pinecrest and allows water retention.

The proposal blends with the surrounding urban fabric by including single-family homes and gradually increasing building density and height towards the tower. The proposal is conscious of its proximity to elementary schools, the Algonquin College and downtown Ottawa, offering accommodations for different ages.

The key building is the protruding tower. I want the community to revolve around this magnet of social interaction. Like a tree swaying in the wind, the tower attracts attention by its capture of movement. The undulating shape creates a dynamic form that blends with the organic shape of nature but stands out in the fabric of the urban landscape.

Although the shape of such a tower might increase its price, its purpose would be positive because it would diverge from rectilinear capital-oriented designs towards inciting designs based on innovation and well-being.