Bricolage
Bricolage is a French term roughly meaning 'do-it-yourself, and in artistic terms it refers to construction or creation from a diverse range of 'available things'. The project title reflects both the architectural approach to the project as a hybrid work architecture, as well as the opportunities for occupants to have agency in the community gardens and configuration of the dwelling units.
The architectural approach is derived from both the form and materiality of 'available things' that immediately surround the site. The pitched roof forms are a response to the postwar character of the detached single-family residential neighbourhood, and the scale of the massing has been articulated to correspond to the size of the neighbourhood homes. The brick cladding is a durable material which is used quite successfully in the nearby King sway Mall. The standing-se am metal roofing is a robust material that with withstand the Edmonton winters. The program organization, massing, building form, and materiality are all designed with consideration for the City of Edmonton's Winter Design Guidelines while also addressing the specific opportunities and constraints of the site.
The project proposes a variation of the stacked row house typology, providing ground-oriented dwelling units accessed from the street, the lane, as well as a common courtyard which is raised one full floor above natural grade. The three-and- a-half storey project provide s 48 dwelling units on the site -- an equal mix of studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom units -- with a Net Floor Are a Ratio of 1.25. A full level of underground parking -- accessed from the lane -- provides a sheltered space for vehicle parking, bike storage, and utilities. The studio units can be internally connected to units above or below, affording opportunities for intergenerational living. The ground floor studio units are ideal for aging parents, and the entry transition can be fitted with a ramp for accessibility and other minor adjustments to meet universal design standards required for aging-in-place.
The unit layouts (with the exception of the studio units) are designed to have vertical spatial separation between living and sleeping spaces,and all are accessed directly from the public realm. Stacking the dwelling units vertically creates the opportunity for a landscape d courtyard which serves as a community amenity space, while also facilitating daylighting and passive ventilation for all units. All suites have covered exterior terraces adjacent to the living spaces, and glazed openings are situated with intention to align with the requirements of the functional program, while also creating a highly energy efficient building envelope. Transitions between public and private spaces are designed for privacy and security, while also taking into account snow management during the winter months. The perforate d brick land sc ape wall that brackets the north end of the courtyard creates a protective barrier against the strong Edmonton winds, while also maintaining a low form of massing on the site. The distributed massing, combined with a large side yard setback, reduces shading on the neighbouring property to the north.
The integration of solar voltaic roof panels on the south-facing roof pitches creates a renewable energy program that is suitable for the climate in Ed mont on year-round. The green courtyard space is envisioned to be a productive landscape, with community garden plots and fruit tree s
-- a mix of hardscape and softscape. A small pavilion sits at the north end of the courtyard
-- providing elevator and stair access to the parking area below, as well as a communal kitchen and gathering space. The standardization and modularity of the building form make s the project an ideal candidate for prefabrication techniques -- this would result in efficiencies in the construction schedule and opportunities for increased quality control during construction.
The proposed development is classified as a Stacked Row Housing typology, as described in Section 12800.210 of the Edmonton Zoning ByLaw -- RA7 Low Rise Apartment Zone. However, the proposed density of 1.25FSR excludes parking, interior/ exterior circulation, and landscape. The proposed density exceeds the maximum allowable density of 140 Dwellings/HA ((Section 12800.210.4.2a), which would amount to an allowable 39.8 units for the 0.2844 HA site. The proposed density would be allowable under a rezoning to D C2, if relaxation is not attainable under RA7 zoning.
The proposal seeks relaxations on front and rear setback s for the creation of a 715 sg. m amenity space in the form of a productive courtyard community garden (Section 12800.210.7,8).
The maximum building height is 12.6 m, in conformance with the 16 m maximum height allowance for pitched roofs (Section 12800.210.4.5).
(Competitor's text)
This submission provides a twist on classic urbanism through its marriage of high quality and durable materials and simple, elegant shape.
SUBMISSION HIGHLIGHTS
- Useable gathering spaces such as a community garden and communal kitchen
- Urban form and massing which reflects characteristics of surrounding homes
- Use of brick creates longevity of the built form
- Integrated landscape design
ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS
- Residences may be located closer to the sidewalk to generate connections to the activity on the street
- Material sourcing may represent a challenge to sustainability and affordability
- Lowering buildings to grade and reducing steep entrances into the amenity spaces may improve accessibility
(From jury report)
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