Northeast False Creek | Proposed

[officedweller]

The existing wide east sidewalk of the bridge and the staircase and ramps to/from the seawall are well used. I don't think that a passarelle is needed. The boat cruises also enter the east basin (a number are currently docked at the Plaza of Nations and the Coal Harbour based ones also cruise through). I could also see access for fireboats being useful on the waterfront too.

As for a fountain?
Not until the combined sewer overflows are removed from False Creek.
The last thing we need is a 100 foot tall spray of fecal matter over the creek and seawall!
We saw condoms floating around the dock at Alder Bay (Granville Island) last weekend as a reuslt of the overflows.... nice.

[cornholio]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The existing wide east sidewalk of the bridge and the staircase and ramps to/from the seawall are well used. I don't think that a passarelle is needed. The boat cruises also enter the east basin (a number are currently docked at the Plaza of Nations and the Coal Harbour based ones also cruise through). I could also see access for fireboats being useful on the waterfront too.

As for a fountain?
Not until the combined sewer overflows are removed from False Creek.
The last thing we need is a 100 foot tall spray of fecal matter over the creek and seawall!
We saw condoms floating around the dock at Alder Bay (Granville Island) last weekend as a reuslt of the overflows.... nice.

Well the main problem is people dumping crap in the storm drains. I know a friend of mine who worked as a plumber regularly drained sewage in to the storm drains in the area. Also it would help, though costly, if they partially connected via pipes false creek with the Burrard peninsula so it could help flush it during tides. But I suppose I do agree with you but a large landmark fountain would just fit in so nicely, and I mean something that will be on postcards.

[mr.x]

^ errrr, why were there condoms in the creek?


As for the massive park, if it's required well then someone definitely screwed up the Concord masterplan up....I would rather have park space spread out across the NEFC site rather than having one massive field there - unless someone is planning to have Woodstock there every year. :p

[officedweller]

The City of Vancouver and New Westminster both still have turn of the century "combined sewer overflows/outfalls". Both cities have a combined sewer system for sanitary (toilet, etc.) sewage and storm drain runoff through the same pipes. When there is heavy rainfall (or snow melt) the pipes get filled to capacity due to the combined volume of sanitary sewage and large amounts of rainwater from storm drains - and to prevent back-ups into people's homes, etc. there are the overflows/outfalls that are essentially pressure relief valves that allow the pipes to empty into various water bodies around Vancouver (North Arm Fraser, Burrard Inlet ... and False Creek -i.e. raw untreated sewage and stormwater enters the creek after heavy rainfalls.

The combined sewer system is being replaced (with separate sanitary and storm sewer systems) - but over a period of 50 years to keep tax increases down. In order to do so, every sewer pipe in the city is being twinned.

[cornholio]

^Yeah I kind of understood that but how often do they overflow. I was under the impression that it was not very common.
Any idea how often it does overflow?

[dreambrother808]

Personally, I love the huge park space. Yes, we have many smaller parks, but larger ones such as this have their place as well.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by cornholio

^Yeah I kind of understood that but how often do they overflow. I was under the impression that it was not very common.
Any idea how often it does overflow?

Recently due to the snow melt. Otherwise, just after heavy rains.

WRT the AGO, the atrium on the north side looks great (though it does overpower the streetscape), but the new galleries in the tower are practically a windowless box (south and west sides):

Pic posted by BobBob on UrbanTO Forum:



Extensive use of louvres (posted by Interchange42 at UrbanTO Forum):

[jlousa]

Think they are going more for a Tate Modern concept, both in look and feel.

[metroXpress]

^^^ I do agree with you that lagre park space should be reserved and
they shouldn't put to much towers around BC Place or else it's going to
block everything and we would only be able to see the Stadium from some
angles.

[Canadian Mind]

While I am normlly gainst viewcones and sightlines, I'd suggest shorter towers around BC Place, with on or two much larger signature towers... Aswell as a sightline from Science World and Millenium water (if the later is possible). The sightlines to BC place could contain some of the parkspace from concord if a land-swap deal is possible, which in turn wouldn't cut science world off from downtown so much.

Is it possible in any way for concord to try and get out of it's park space commitment, possibly in exchange for office developent or other ammenities?

And hwo about tying in an under-water development in False Creek? Would be a unique attraction to Vancouver.

[fever]

The job space figure includes institutional uses, so the actual office space is going to be much less than the 1.8 msf stated. I think it's deceptive, but it is clear what is meant if you read the panels.

Another issue is that art galleries usually prefer artificial or diffuse light, and it would be silly for any building on this site not to take advantage of its views. I think it needs to be taken into consideration when designing the building. For example, it could have an interior area with traditional display space and an exterior area, especially on the south side, with event space and large lobby.

On the Leidseplein example, traffic may technically be allowed there (I don't remember cars there) but mostly it's streetcars, bikes, and pedestrians. It's a beautiful square, a very good model for Robson square, being bisected by a narrow streetcar/pedestrian street. http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=L...04828&t=k&z=18


Yeah, I think they are focusing too much on pedestrian connections to Georgia and Smithe. They could make excellent connections to both streets, but then they'd be left with the far more difficult problem of getting people to like walking beside expressways (or redesigning those streets). Those connections won't solve the problem of connecting this area to the existing area of busy pedestrian activity. There needs to be a good connection to Robson.

[twoNeurons]

Although the gallery itself would be a black box inside, there's no reason why the outside has to be.

There's still an opportunity to have the gallery cafeterias, for example, with the view. Also, a public plaza on the outside. The building's water face doesn't necessarily have to be a blank wall. It could be a grand glass entrance.

A roof-top terrace would work well as well.

I'm not saying it's a good location for it.. but it's better than another condo. At least it's a public building.

[Locked In]

Originally Posted by fever

Another issue is that art galleries usually prefer artificial or diffuse light, and it would be silly for any building on this site not to take advantage of its views. I think it needs to be taken into consideration when designing the building. For example, it could have an interior area with traditional display space and an exterior area, especially on the south side, with event space and large lobby.

I think the newly renovated AGO provides a nice example of an exhibition space that is open to the light (north-facing, albeit). Of course, there isn't much of a view from there, and the proposed location of a new VAG is much more prominent, so I think we can aim even higher. I'd love to see the art gallery really interact with the waterfront... cafes, shops, maybe gallery space that could open to the outdoors...
I also agree that vibrant connections to busy pedestrian corridors (such as Robson) are important.
Anyways, here are a couple pictures of the AGO (my pics). Thoughts?

[duener]

Thank goodness the art gallery can't be another glass tower; I think that alone will make it interesting and stick out from the surrounding forrest of towers.

So maybe in keeping with the west coast theme, the art gallery could be designed as a giant rock covered in moss. I'm thinking toned down Gehry style with added vegetation.

Or if it were a large glowing pink blob, that might brighten up all those dark drizzly days and provide a beacon hope.

[djmk]

really tate modern? wouldn't a art deco massive brick factory just look a tad out of place on the waterfront? maybe in yaletown....

i'm betting gordo will insist plenty of BC wood to be used, highlighted and show pieced to the world.

[metroXpress]

^^underwater development sounds great! Better than putting a ferris wheel.

[metroXpress]

Dive in your Hotel Bed
A new type of hotel resort will start populating our oceans in the near futur : the Underwater Hotels

Once again Jules Vernes vision comes true

The first 220-suite hotel , Hydropolis is due to open in Dubai at the end of 2007. Currently under construction (it started in 2005) Hydropolis is the world's first luxury underwater hotel.
A vast land station welcome guests , a tunnel Hall transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 bubble-shaped suites in a submarine leisure area.Each room will have bathtub and clear glass.

Guest will sleep with the fishes 20m below the surface of the Arabian Gulf.Two translucent domes will house a concert auditorium and a ballroom that break the water s surface, three bars, a cosmetic surgery clinic, a marine biology research institute, a library, a museum, prayer rooms, a private cinema, a retail area selling ocean-related wares, and three 150-seat restaurants.

The investement is Euros 550 million worth.It will benefit construction technologies employed in submarines and offshore platforms. It is supported by the Dubai Development and Investment Authority.



Next to come Hydropalace will be near Quingdao in China.I is expected to be ready for the Olympic Games.


But numerous projects now take place. Monaco in Europe could be one location.

In Fidji Islands, at a smlaller scale the Poseidon project features a 5 stars Hotel, with 20 suites of 51 M², and 2 larger ones.
Opening in December 2007

French Sea Explorer and film maker
Commandant Jacques Yves Cousteau who made millions people discover the beauty of the oceans would be amazed to see this.

Do you book a room ?

Source: http://via-venture.over-blog.com/

[Canadian Mind]

Originally Posted by Allen

Source: http://via-venture.over-blog.com/

nifty, but even that doesn't look to be fully underwater.

[Overground]

Speaking of the Tate Modern and brick. Here is the revised Herzog & de Meuron design for the extension on the Southwark side. I liked the previous glass pyramid/step thing they had but people didn't like the design. I could see something like this in Yaletown or Gastown but not by the stadium. What caught my eye is the planned size of the museum in comparison to what VAG might be and the similar planned space around it and new density.





model photos showing the density - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...&postcount=317



.

[cornholio]

Jlousa it sounds like your trying to say the old expo glass building(Edewater Casino) will stay and house the art gallery. I suppose its a alright plan though im not sure if the building has enough space. Maybe a addition to the north. In any case it leaves tons of space between the glass wall and the building inside which would definitely allow for a nice public space that takes full advantage of the southern exposure. Plus I suppose there is some history in that building already.

Personally I hope they would take on more of a aboriginal art theme to the work in side and and the design outside. Its something thats local and would help the art gallery stand out be unique and attract tourists. Something like 25%aboriginal art mostly from BC and some from Canada 25%local art 50%open to any art. The gallery can than try and market its self as maybe the largest collection of aboriginal art from the PNW, or something like that.
What ever is being used to house it could use design and outside art inspired from a type of fusion of aboriginal art and the regular every art gallery in the world art.