Great Outdoors

Spending time indoors reminds of the importance of vital exterior spaces

THE PANDEMIC HAS demonstrated the importance of outdoor public spaces to the physical and mental health of apartment and condo dwellers. These places have become essential, given the shift to higher density and apartment living, where people have had to quarantine.

Green areas in or near buildings also make communities sustainable in a number of ways. For one, they mitigate the urban heat island effect, where the annual air temperature of a city can be warmer than that of surrounding areas.

Parks should be considered in a similar light as exercise machines and be planned with the residents’ lifestyles and life stages in mind. For example, infant play spaces require areas for adults to supervise and relax, while seniors will look for quiet spots sheltered from wind and sun. A sense of community will be established by using these places for social interaction as well.

The first decision in planning open spaces involves their location and design. Public space need not necessarily be consolidated in a single spot. Often, it’s better to distribute them in multiple areas to create a variety of smaller, human-scaled places. They can be on-grade, and either front, back and side yards, softening the built environment and fostering better relationships between neighbours.

Above-grade space, like balconies and green roof terraces, permit a greater level of privacy and, for some, even complete seclusion. Special attention should be given to ensure that these spaces are protected from the elements. Green areas or community gardens can be private, shared or both. Shared garden plots for growing food should have a water supply system and a storage area for tools.

One high-density project that paid great attention to its outdoor area is Reflections in Keppel Bay, Singapore, by Studio Daniel Libeskind. It is comprised of six high-rise towers (from 24 to 41 storeys) and 11 low-rise villa apartment blocks (six to eight floors), with a total of 1,129 units. The arrangement of the buildings creates a unique outdoor experience, since no floor is aligned to the one above or below, or with a building adjacent to it. As a result, no two apartment units are experienced in the same fashion, since each offers a unique exterior perspective.

In a project of such magnitude and density, it’s often difficult for each unit to be distinct. However, through this off-axis design, the architect managed to conceive a community of apartment buildings where individuality thrives.

Special attention was also paid to the planning and landscaping of outdoor areas. In fact, the buildings’ forms themselves define those areas to create nearby green enclaves.

All the outdoor spots are also well connected by paths landscaped with lush native plants. The many trees lend a tropical forest feel, while casting shade over benches. A safe, well-marked jogging path, meanwhile, appeals to runners and walkers alike.

The project was designed for healthy living by including play areas and exercise machines for toddlers and adults near each building. The central point is an architecturally articulated gym and swimming pool.

There’s also great interconnection between the buildings themselves, each of which enjoys captivating views of the bay and the nearby marina.

The pandemic introduced reconsideration of several planning and design aspects of homes and communities. Outdoor areas—either on or above ground—are following suit. Regarding them as an inclusive part of our wellbeing needs to be a top priority.

AVI FRIEDMAN IS AN ARCHITECT, PROFESSOR, AUTHOR AND SOCIAL OBSERVER. AVI.FRIEDMAN@MCGILL.CA