R.U CIRCULATING: GREENING THE CAMPUS CAMPUS IDENTITY
BSC 720 // Building Science Studio 1 Prepared for: Hitesh Doshi November 30st, 2017 Prepared by: Navindra Budhwa
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Introduction Currently, the Ryerson University Campus is in desperate need of greenery and lacks any definitive element that signifies their core campus. Through a series of analysis, we found that Ryerson would benefit from the “Greenification” of core circulatory areas, mainly around Gould St and the Nelson Mandela Walkway. This is led through the implementation of Green Stations which solve multiple purposes as detailed in this report. In precedent studies it was found that the use of a similar system resulted in more public seating, and the greenery created a softer university appeal. In the case of Ryerson University, these Green Stations will highlight the public realm and draw attention along core streets, giving a “Home” to the scattered Ryerson Campus.
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Purpose and Scope On the request of Ryerson University we have been asked to create a master plan of the existing campus showcasing the proposed incorporation of vegetated systems around the campus. As such we have taken it upon ourselves to research precedent cause studies and systems that would be beneficial to Ryerson, in order to create the most suitable plan for both the university and students. Ryerson University’s primary concern, which started this assessment, was the push for sustainability and push to incorporate vegetation as a means of achieving this. The growing interest in the community has led to suggestions of incorporating vegetated systems both inside and outside buildings as well as traditional ground based landscape. This report will look at the latter, primarily on the inclusion of greenery on the ground floor, with a focus on distinguishing the core campus with public realm elements
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CONTENTS
1. The Current Campus 2. Influences 4. Current Issues 5. Precedent Case Study 6. System Study 8. The Proposal Goals Feasibility Life Span Vine System Costing 9. Alternatives 10. Summery
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The Current Campus Currently, Ryerson University is in desperate need of greening. As a university there is no distinguishable characteristics that signifies the core campus as a student space. It does not act as a catalyst for social interaction between students. The greenery that currently exists is quickly diminishing and is under utilized. The two places that greenery is most notable is the green wall of the Student Learning Centre and the urban garden on top of the George Vari engineering building. However with these examples, the student interaction is very limited, without any prolonged use for a majority of the student population. One is a simple sight and the other is a limited access farm. We will first need to get an idea of the general context of Ryerson. 5
In the general context, Ryerson is a very scattered campus. With such a difficult time acquiring land, they are forced to rent space or rebuild taller. Examples of this are the Ted Rogers building and Mattamy Athletic Centre. Amidst all the chaos of the downtown core, there is a lack of campus identity, more specifically, a “Home� for the students. In order to add greenery and create a central social identity we must pinpoint the areas of large interaction and use.
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Looking at the campus, the main circulatory paths are along Gould St., Nealson Mandela Walk, and the north part of Victoria St. Centrally, the intersection of Younge and Gould street is where major events take place, so possible designs would have to take into consideration the possibility of pop-up events. The entrances of the campus are primarily from Gerrard, Younge, Dundas, and Church. Primarily, pedestrian traffic flows from the subway stations, meaning the west entrance from College station and the south entrance from Dundas station are highly used. The current green space does not take into consideration the majors paths of access.
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The current greenery, as mentioned, is along the green wall of the Student Learning Centre and the urban garden on top of the George Vari engineering building. The issue with the first is that the green wall does not allow for any type of social interaction, in addition to just being within eyesight. The urban farm on top of the engineering building is a great publicly, but is not within any eye line of the pedestrian plane. Although there is more social interaction, it is only delegated to few, in addition to selected tours. The newly proposed greenery needs to be adept with the students, in the way they interact and perceive it.
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Influences The first priority is to create additional green space on the campus. However, the next step is to find a premise in which this greenery can be applied. As such the study of current Ryerson and city master plans have been analyzed. In summery we used key findings such as future growth, and plans as a stepping stone to assist the university with its long term goals. The top sources of information were from the following: 1. Ryerson Campus Public Realm 2. Ryerson Master Plan 3. Ryerson Sustainability Yearbook Key attention was placed on the public realm plan.
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Enhance transportation Enhance Enhance Enhance accessibility accessibility accessibility and and and active active active routes transportation transportation transportation routes routes routes
6 | 2016 Ryerson University Campus Public Realm Plan
Looking at the Ryerson campus public realm plan, we found and concluded on key principles that are focused upon. These are all implementations that are a goal towards the near future for ryerson. In addition the key foundation for these principles will lay in the goal of promoting sustainable measures through vegetation. This principle overlaps all three of the above mentioned plans in addition to the current goals of the university outlines in this report.
66 | 2016 6 | 2016 | 2016 Ryerson Ryerson Ryerson University University University Campus Campus Campus Public Public Public Realm Realm Realm Plan Plan Plan
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Introduce sustainable measures on campus
Current Issues Currently the campus and public realm is defined by only a select few pieces of vegetation. These include: 1. Planter Beds 2. Vines 3. Trees 4. Pots The most memorable of these are the planter beds that surround the Kerr Hall building. Currently these are place holders, with just mulch occupying them and a few plants during summer. Further issues will be discussed.
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Lake Devo is often either filled with water or ice depending on weather it is summer or winter. However in the off months it retains puddles and is an obstacle in crossing from Gould to Victoria. Lake Devo is observed as a positive public realm element, but only for half the year. It does not contribute to any greenery on campus.
Lack of Identity The current issue at the intersection of Gould St. and Church St. is the lack of circulation space. Due to the extended planter bed and newspaper boxes, there is hardly room to cross, with people often walking on the planters to get by. A simple solution is to remove the newspaper boxes, but long term will be the removal and reformatting of the planter beds, to allow for cross circulation.
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Looking at the campus from a general perspective, there is no signature elements that describe or represent Ryerson. Gould street is only distinguishable during frosh week where it is turned into a craze of activity, but only temporarily. The dropped street gives the impression of vehicular space.
The intersection of Victoria and Gould is the keystone in public realm activity however it is under utilized. There is no sense of campus and/or identity. Raising the pavement to grade will take people off the sidewalks and fundamentally improve circulation of the campus.
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Along multiple Ryerson buildings, we find vines growing along the facade, providing some sense of vegetations. In summer these bloom and provide an aesthetic appeal. The issues occur in the winter months when they die. Evergreen vines would be a better investment for winter use.
Lack of Greenery The current planters along Gould street fill a significant part of the public corridor. The purpose of these are to showcase vegetation, however there is nothing planted. Looking at the trees that are currently existing, we find that a majority are senior and provide shading during certain hours of the day. The trees are successful however mulch patch is the issue.
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The large plant dividers are there to separate the cars from pedestrian space, in addition to moving in order to allow for the buildings to be services. Most of these planters are filled with different evergreen types, but a select few are empty and not purposeful on the street.
There is a portion of the ground floor planter beds that acts as a flower garden during summer months. This portion is protected and up-kept in order to assure that plants can be brought back up in the upcoming season. The problem is that the maintenance provided here is not used everywhere which is why we have the before mentioned mulch patches.
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The right is a general map showcasing where major green improvements will take place in upcoming proposals.
Public Elements Bike Storage Entrances Seating
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Precedent Case Study NAME: The Paleisburg LOCATION: The Netherlands DATE: 2015 TYPE: Bridge ARCHITECT: Benthem Crouwel A study of precedents were analyzed in order to find systems that can incorporate and utilize vegetation on campus. The Paleisburg uses the bridge as a connection between two points and contains a garden along the path. The key feature here is a system of cables and hooks which attach to a steel truss to allow for plant and vine growth.
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During the summer months the steel wall grows vines, to contrast the rusted steel facade. The system allows for controlled vertical growth, without wide spread chaos. The grows is determines by the placement of hooks and cables.
High line Garden
The walkway incorporates a garden with a built in soil bed to facilitate growth. The walkway also contains drains, and lighting for night usage.
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As mentioned, a key element is the interaction between pedestrians and vegetation. In this example the seating is incorporated with the green wall system and provides visual comfort.
The entire bridge spans the width of an average street, and in our case mimics the span between planters along Gould. Another similar circumstance is the public realm usage, where it is a dedicated pedestrian walkway.
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By looking at this section, we can see a key feature that allows a similar system to be implemented at Ryerson. The foundation and depth of the system is relatively low, and this is useful in cityscape where piping and other utilities can be found underground.
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In a section of the truss, the vine system was analyzed where it was found that a series of cables and hooks were used to allow for vine growth. In addition a retaining plank was used to keep soil, specifically to grow the vines. Key elements of this system were 1. The cables and hooks 2. The soil growth system 3. The hidden drainage detail
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NAME: Outdoor vines and seating LOCATION: Toronto DATE: ---TYPE: Pergola ARCHITECT: ---During a visual analysis of the University of Toronto, we found many circumstances of vegetation in and around the campus. This example outside the E.J. Pratt Library in Toronto, uses a cantilever Pergola system in order to grow vines and provide shade to seated occupants. This example both engages the public and provides greenery.
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Approaching the library from the east entrance will put on display this seating arrangement. The purpose is to bring a green element to the concrete facade of the library. Unlike Ryerson, the library provides stipulated places to site, with special care taken to the occupants comfort. The vines also interacting with pedestrians as a source of shade.
Public Seating
The front of the building also provides places for bicycle parking, and interaction between building occupants and seated occupants. The pergola also provides a balance between hard and soft scape.
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Systems Study NAME: Piezoelectric flooring LOCATION: Worldwide DATE: ---TYPE: Energy source SUPPLIER: Pavegen Piezoelectric flooring is a system of energy generation which can be used for multiple purposes. In the past it has been used to power lighting, interactive screens, wifi, or has been stored. In the busy downtown core, Ryerson should seek to future proof their campus and pursue the idea of sustainability with these panels. Multiple suppliers are available, however Pavegen has been analyzed to provide accurate detailing suggestions.
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The individual system panels are thin and only occupy 92mm in depth, similar to stone paver’s that ryerson is currently using. It is also the same depth as the curb height along the campus. As each panel is stepped on the panel shifts a total of 10mm, which spins a magnetic drum which provides about 5 watts per a footstep. The support system takes into account the shift in material at grade and each panel height to avoid any tripping hazard. Also key to notes is that the flooring is universally accessible to those on wheelchairs.
Stored 25
Wifi
Lighting
As electricity is generated, at the intersection of each panel, it is transferred to a generator controller which does two things: 1. Transfer to the generator hub 2. Bluetooth Beacons The bluetooth system sends information on the generated steps to allow for an analysis of where most pedestrian traffic occurs. Once in the generator hub the power is recored and then sent and converted to supply batteries (12V, 24V, 36V) or used in different applications such as lighting. This system can also be done in a series for longer walkways.
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The Proposal
A mixture of seating, energy, and plant growth, dubbed the “Green station�. The green station provides a place for students to meet, sit and study in order to have a casual and pleasant experience on campus. The green vine system gives visual comfort for what is lacking on campus, and provides an additional source of vegetation. The piezoelectric system powers the lighting to allow for usage during the evening. It can also be stored, and used to supply neighboring buildings or charging stops, depending on the future needs of the campus. The vines also provide shading and a source of campus identity. 27
Goals The proposal of the Green station will accomplish three main objectives: 1. Create a sense of campus identity 2. Allow for interaction with other users the green system itself. 3. Give a signature view to Gould street With all three goals accomplished the proposal will provide a sense of “home� to ryerson students and fix the scattered campus.
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SITE PLAN
The location of these stations will array across Gould St, with particular focus in front of lake Devo and across from Balzac’s. Locations along Victoria and Nelson Mandela Walk were analyzed and places specifically to maximize sun light and pedestrian traffic. The locations of these stations also account for pedestrian traffic and the future possibility of more. Should Ryerson choose to implement this in other locations, a minimum dimension is required, showcased on the following pages.
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SITE PLAN
The assembly for the station is similar and independent on location, but for this proposal we will analyze the location across from lake Devo. The plan assumes the rejuvenation of the planter beds, and bringing the curbs to grade. The general layout will allow for vine connections between two stations, creating positive study spaces. This will be further explained under alternatives.
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370mm 6000mm
4000mm
1 Person
6000mm
As mentioned the station is a modular design requiring 6 by 4 meters to implement. The soil is self contained within steel shelves and the area of the modular panels are 13.5m2. With these dimensions, 1 person walking across the array can generate 15m2 of lighting. With hundreds of people walking on Gould, excess energy is stored and used during the night.
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15m2 Lighting
Modularity
A key factor in designing the green station is creating an approachable element. Using typical dimensional wood as the primary material allows for local construction and a softer tone. The scale is relative to the person occupying the space in order to create a sense of safety, as it is well illuminated at night.
Approachability
The size also creates a dominant effect on campus drawing users to it, while giving a sense of Ryerson to Gould street.
2650mm
Approachability
Fitting the Context 32
Feasibility
This detail expresses the simple constructibility of the green station, using typical dimensional lumber. The entire system can be self contained with the exception of the concrete foundation. Most construction would take place on site. Steel cables are used for durability, so that they will not break if hit or braced on.
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Foundation
Steel Retaining Plates
6x6 Posts
Following is a series of diagrams showcasing the typical construction. Key consideration was given as, longterm and extensive construction on campus would result in a major disruption in student life.
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Pre cut seat and 2x8 framing
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2x3 vertical louvers
2x3 cantilevers
Steel cables inserted and held in tension with clips
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Lighting mounted with cables running down end poles
Drainage system installed
Construction team excavates site. Screed base is applied, leveled, and compacted to a level of 92mm
Glass reinforced plastic base is laid and interlocked.
Frame is bolted and secured to base with anchor bolts
The piezoelectric panels are installed though a series of layers, with much of the labor going into the preparation of the site and leveling.
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The frame is then fitted with support grid for pedestrian load
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Generators are installed with controllers, generator hub and battery storage
Tiles are laid in place and secured with snake eye locking system
Life Span
The station’s lifespan is primarily determined by the lifespan of the wood. If it is up kept it can last upwards of 20 years. However typically we expect the system to last 15 years with yearly maintenance. The combination of these two will create an everlasting campus identity. In addition these estimates are based off the use of pressure treated lumber. If other woods, or lumber types are requested, the longevity of the station will differ. Multiple finished can be used extending the lifespan but increasing the yearly maintenance requires.
15 Years
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Yearly Maintenance
Campus Identity
Vine System
Upon researching vine systems, a number of criteria were created to ensure the success of the plant in the applicable use. Key conditions such as climate, growth habits, maintenance, and yearly cycles were used as the deciding factor. Honeysuckles provided adequate responses to these criteria in addition to the low cost and maintenance.
Honeysuckle
Cheap
Low Maintenance 40
The honeysuckle is a twinning plant meaning it adheres to surfaces through the interlocking of vines to the surface. Rather than sticking it interlocks allowing for controlled vine growth. In addition it is an evergreen meaning it will remain green throughout the winter season. They can be partially shaded, and grow up to 15 feet long.
Honeysuckle A mixture of Honeysuckle types are suggested to give a variety of color to the campus. These include: 1. Japanese Honeysuckle 2. John Clayton Honeysuckle (up) 3. Trumpet Honeysuckle (right) 4. Coral Honeysuckle
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Since the plant is twinning it was necessary to have a structure that allows for the vines to interlock and grow between elements. Be using steel cables that are threaded through 2x3’s, the plants have adept room to grow. A cheaper alternative to the steel cables are wooden dowels that can be secured, however these are much more prone to damage especially along a the busy downtown campus.
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Twinning
20 Year Life-Cycle
The final factors in deciding on this plant type throughout the multiple stations comes down to the longevity of the species. It is a very durable plant type and requires low watering needs. This is key in summer months and lowers maintenance costs. The species can bloom in all seasons excluding winter and provide a subtle sweet scent A small but essential factor on a school campus is found in eating the plant. It is edible and can be consumed as a leafy vegetable, which is essential with many students and children around the area.
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Only During Drought
Yes (But don’t)
Material
Quantity
Lumber 2x3x8 6x6x10 2x8x12 4x8x1
20 3 6 1
126.10 122.72 128.48 63.52
Galvanized Steel Cable
180ft
203.40
Concrete
12m3
89.49
24ft
300.34
-
48.47
Drain Hardware Corten Steel Plates
324.65
Total
Pricing (Structure)
Cost ($)
1407.17
The pricing of the structure is based of current values found at local hardware stores. All measurements take into account the amount of pieces required with trim and waste. Minimal maintenance is required as street cleaning is already provided. The piezoelectric system pricing can only be attained with a specific quote from a manufacturer. The average price of $55 per sq ft was used as an estimate as this is the average pricing for the system. Money saved is calculated based on a few facts and assumptions. 1. A total of 6 steps are pressed as one person walk across 2. 5 watts per a step is generated 3. A total of 800 people walk across the array in an hour (Average) 4. Utilized on average 10 hours a day 5. The average cost of energy is .16 cents a KWH Watts = (6x5x800x10)(365) = 87.6 million The total energy generated/saved is 87600 KWH or $14,000.
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Cost
System
Money Saved
Cheap
$1400
$8000
87,600KWH or $14,000/year
$50/yr (Street cleaning is already paid for)
Alternatives
When analyzing alternatives, cost was a major factor taken into account. The same budget per a station could be used to join two stations and create a dripping vine effect. This would further serve the purpose of greening the campus, and provide students with an extended shaded walkway. The existing summer seating can be utilized under the green canopy. If requested this could be done in a series, having multiple lined off across Gould.
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Another example of greening the campus can be attained by using signage with incorporated vine systems. This creates a sense of way finding, and campus identity, but is not a general Ryerson landmark.
Cost Effective There are many cheaper ways to green the campus, but do not contribute to a signature identity. One example of this is using green barriers to serve as either way finding devices or indicate what is a ryerson building.
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Conclusion Ryerson University is a very young and developing school. It is essential that it keeps up with current changes and shifts towards a green future. Currently, there is a desperate need for greenery that defines the core campus. Using a mixture of precedent systems, previous master plans, and current needs of the students, we found that the Green Station solution solved many of the current issues. Upon analysis, Gould and Victoria are the perfect location to create a green home, as it is centralized within Ryerson and serves are the current location of many events. The Green Station will seek to solve the lacking greenery on campus and current issues, in addition to provide a source for social interaction.
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Greenery within the campus
Summery
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A target and purpose
Social interaction
The introduction of Green Station will improve campus life and prompt a more sustainable and green movement.
Works Cited 1. http://www.pavegen.com/ 2. https://www.archdaily.com/633298/the-paleisbrug-benthem-crouwel-architects 3. https://parkpeople.ca/archives/4379 4.Ryerson Campus Public Realm 5. Ryerson Master Plan 6. Ryerson Sustainability Yearbook
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