Canadian City Proposals II

[MonkeyRonin]

The original Science Centre is an icon of Canadian post-war architecture. Completed in 1969 and designed by Raymond Moriyama, it's Brutalism at its best: organic, raw, and at home in its landscape - evocative of an ancient ruin sprouting out of the forest. The original design has been somewhat compromised by unsympathetic additions over the years, but it still holds up.

The Snohetta design is competent enough architecture, but is placeless, generic, and devoid of context. It could just as well be a shopping mall in Miami.



https://robertmoffatt115.wordpress.c...or-technology/


https://www.azuremagazine.com/articl...mond-moriyama/


https://twitter.com/moriyamateshima/...68961627787264


https://mtarch.com/projects/ontario-science-centre/


https://mtarch.com/projects/ontario-science-centre/


https://www.archpaper.com/2023/05/ra...lopment-plans/


https://mtarch.com/projects/ontario-science-centre/

[someone123]

I have not fully followed it but the decision making around the old complex seemed suspect and Doug Ford is like Donald Trump lite. It's funny sometimes to see how the two of them pathologically react but sad that Ontario cannot find a better premier. I think efficient maintenance of old public buildings is a good barometer of the proper functioning of society and political corruption. Corrupt and mediocre politicians are always letting buildings crumble, using the construction contracts for patronage, and patting themselves on the back at ribbon cutting ceremonies.

[rml]

it looks like it is inspired by a connect 4 game.. not for me.

[Surrealplaces]

New proposal for Calgary. 14 buildings, with the tallest two at 38 floors and 35 floors. Architect for the project is Allies and Morrison, and is proposed for the Northwest corner of Calgary's Kensington area.

* These aren't the final designs - only concept designs, but they give the gist of the general layout etc,.

[Surrealplaces]

Some updates to the already mentioned Stampede Station. The Development Permit has been submitted and there are some slight tweaks. The heigh has been lowered from 277m to 273.5m - supposedly due to a Navcan height restriction which none of us understand.
On a positive note, the submitted permit design shows an open air observation deck on the 68th floor - one facing east and one facing west.

[MolsonExport]

Another twin for Calgary. I do like this one though.

[RHINO]

Calgary is really kicking it up a notch.

[O-tacular]

Not sure how I feel about the new crown compared to the old ‘screw driver’ top. Would look better if one crown went East West and the other North South. Disappointed in the height reduction and loss of the patterning on the windows though. Also, the recessed balconies halfway up the tower remind me of Stantec.

[trueviking]

Beautiful tower for Calgary.

MonkeyRonin. I completely agree with you.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by someone123

I have not fully followed it but the decision making around the old complex seemed suspect and Doug Ford is like Donald Trump lite. It's funny sometimes to see how the two of them pathologically react but sad that Ontario cannot find a better premier. I think efficient maintenance of old public buildings is a good barometer of the proper functioning of society and political corruption. Corrupt and mediocre politicians are always letting buildings crumble, using the construction contracts for patronage, and patting themselves on the back at ribbon cutting ceremonies.

Real estate has always been a shady area for the Ontario Conservatives. Previous governments carry as much responsibility for the deferred maintenance on the centennial buildings and there is a case to move the facility to Ontario Place. It just doesn't benefit locals.

Trudeau set a new bar for corruption in Canada and the national news media pretty much chose not to report it. Ford is simply held to a different standard being a conservative. He's basically at Carney's level.

IMHO, his administration is definitely in decline however, the Liberals ran a Wynne platform last election and, should they choose to do so again, will not yield a better premier.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

New proposal for Calgary. 14 buildings, with the tallest two at 38 floors and 35 floors. Architect for the project is Allies and Morrison, and is proposed for the Northwest corner of Calgary's Kensington area.

* These aren't the final designs - only concept designs, but they give the gist of the general layout etc,.

The heights and tower spacing are more reasonable than you see in Toronto but, I'm still hesitant how this will age should it be built. No real defined city blocks. No real through streets. Very tall comparably to the surroundings. We have modernist era apartment complexes as references.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

The original Science Centre is an icon of Canadian post-war architecture. Completed in 1969 and designed by Raymond Moriyama, it's Brutalism at its best: organic, raw, and at home in its landscape - evocative of an ancient ruin sprouting out of the forest. The original design has been somewhat compromised by unsympathetic additions over the years, but it still holds up.

The Snohetta design is competent enough architecture, but is placeless, generic, and devoid of context. It could just as well be a shopping mall in Miami.

Sad we'll soon be losing a few of Raymond Moriyama's early works. In Ottawa, the we'll be losing the Civic Centre, the unique combination hockey arena/football grandstand, in favour of a smaller, generic (Rexall Place with a green PVC roof looking) arena taking up a chunk of green space.

[J.OT13]

Nice urban neighbourhood proposal in Calgary. Whenever Ottawa tries to do that, it always ends up with a suburban-ish feel.

I think I preferred the earlier concept for the Stampede towers, but the new once is still quite nice. The base though is a bit too car centric "casino". Of course a hotel usually needs a drop off, but some improvements could be made.

[WhipperSnapper]

I don't know all the intricacies of the Calgary planning process. AFAIK, a development permit is pretty far advanced without a lot a leeway. I still can't help but think the developer has plans to add more floors within the envelope down the road. Class AAA office buildings don't even have 16 foot slab heights. The 16 foot tall glazing in the unitized curtainwall panels is going to cost a small fortune.

The towers got more goofy with all the cantilevered stuff. They were always goofy so more goofiness isn't meant as a bad thing.

[Innsertnamehere]

First phase of development of Eastgate Square in Hamilton is proceeding to Site Plan Approval - three 20-storey towers with 696 units. This is part of a wider mall redevelopment master plan on the far eastern end of the future LRT line in the east end of the city:







The wider master plan is for over 4,000 units across the northern half of the mall site next to the LRT. This phase would be the buildings on the rightmost bottom side of this rendering:

[Innsertnamehere]

Another Hamilton proposal - 1452 Upper James St. A new 8-storey rental building in the southern suburbs:

[biguc]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

First phase of development of Eastgate Square in Hamilton is proceeding to Site Plan Approval - three 20-storey towers with 696 units. This is part of a wider mall redevelopment master plan on the far eastern end of the future LRT line in the east end of the city:







The wider master plan is for over 4,000 units across the northern half of the mall site next to the LRT. This phase would be the buildings on the rightmost bottom side of this rendering:

WhipperSnapper hated that.

[James Bond Agent 007]

That's borderline commieblocks.

[Innsertnamehere]

The Eastgate Square towers would include brick cladding with limestone panels - it's actually quite nice and tactile. No balconies reduces visual clutter too - though I wish there was a bit of height variety (even 22-18-20 instead of 20-20-20) in the three buildings.

The public realm could use some improvement - I think the open spaces are bit large and undefined, but the building is well designed at grade with thoughtful building elevations.

This rendering does a good job of showing the materiality - lots of good brick details and interesting material choices:



Perhaps a bit more colour variation could be nice too - have each tower a separate brick colour to reduce the uniformity.

[jc_yyc_ca]

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

The heights and tower spacing are more reasonable than you see in Toronto but, I'm still hesitant how this will age should it be built. No real defined city blocks. No real through streets. Very tall comparably to the surroundings. We have modernist era apartment complexes as references.

I like it, even though it's a 'towers on the park' type development. This is the only part of the Kensington area where a lot of density can be built without causing a rebellion. There are a lot of venues and amenities that are within walking distance, which makes it a tower on the park development that sort of feels like a typical inner city build.