[St. John's] The Official Project Thread

[PoscStudent]

I stole Ryan's photo because I wanted to do some tweaking to fix the house. When I was looking at what could fix them I thought that shutters could work, even though they aren't really typical for these houses. I do think the green house to the right that has the roof in between the rock and siding looks pretty good, the best way to transition between the two materials. However, the windows still look odd.



I also looked at removing the rock completely from the burgundy house, which made it look like a pretty typical house.

[Architype]

^ You've got the right idea, here's a little more tweaking:



Can you spot the differences?

[Townie709]

Just one piece of trim can go a long way in improving the look of these houses

[SignalHillHiker]

Definite improvements, guys. I'm still fine with what's there but what you've both done definitely looks better.

[PoscStudent]

Originally Posted by Architype

^ You've got the right idea, here's a little more tweaking:



Can you spot the differences?

After I uploaded this I put the same roof where the siding and rock meet. I had also thought about wider trim.

[Copes]

Was down in Pleasantville today.

The houses that you guys are discussing are actually a condominium corporation. Which is neat. The corporation is responsible for the "grounds", as well as the shared parking lot hidden behind the houses. There is also a lot of landscaping that has yet to be done there as well. Great critiques of the design though, and all very fair. I think the idea was right for the area, and the density is great. Execution can be debated all day.

As for the new construction started right next to Bennett House, I was told that it will be a one-storey, fully accessible, 6-unit complex for people in wheelchairs.

[PoscStudent]

There was an open house at one of them last weekend, it may be on again Sunday.

[mrjanejacobs]

hha fenestration: the arrangement, proportioning, and design of windows and doors in a building.

The density is good. However, at the same time, I ask myself why they couldn't be connected if they are going to be so close anyway...

I hope some trees are planted and I am hoping that there are some alleys designed between certain houses to provide public thoroughfares for pedestrians. I also hope that the front gardens have a more urban feel opposed to little lumps of sod - there is potential for some really charming front courts/seating spaces. We'll see how people choose to appropriate their properties.

haha and Townie - the materiality and finishing of a facade being sloppy is not really a 'nit-picky' criticism. It's a pretty big design error.

Once again, the "it's not every good, but it's good enough for St.John's..." attitude prevails. haha

[Copes]

Landscaping is definitely coming:

http://www.clc.ca/sites/default/files/Landscape-Design-Guidelines-Blocks-1-2-4A_0.pdf

As for the lack of connection, I believe that was due to the planning. The site originally (if you look at the overall Pleasantville plan) called for "single family cottages" or something worded like that, versus other areas of Pleasantville which called for "medium density residential" which is what townhouses and duplexes are classified as on the plan. So the developer would have been required to build the agreed upon housing type.

That is my understanding.

[Copes]

I like that the city is pushing for these "PUDs" (Planned Unit Developments... multiple units on one parcel of land that are sold as condos, with the land run as a condo corp.).

It seems to be a new thing, but this one in Pleasantville shows that you can have a lot of density while still giving the "single-detached" feel. It's almost like tricking people into density.

[SignalHillHiker]

May 3, 2013

[Architype]

Another nice sunset.

Fortis will look nice from that angle (hopefully) when the concrete cores are cladded. Not long ago, it would have been typical to leave all that concrete exposed, although with a better texture.

[SignalHillHiker]

May 4, 2013

MUN:



Fortis/351:

[Copes]

From today's newspaper:

[statbass]

^^^^ Awesome! I'm looking forward to this proposal - this can revitalize that section of Duckworth. This project along with Henry-Bell and the Mix makes for exciting times for Duckworth!

[mrjanejacobs]

Re this proposal - I'm indifferent. I haven't seen the renderings so I have no reason to be enthusiastic. However, in terms of 'urban rejuvenation' I hesitate - one or two buildings won't constitute urban rejuvenation (and I really don't think these two will do much).

Urban rejuvenation requires a master-plan and it's usually a concerted effort initiated by a local government or community group.

MIX and all that has a lot more potential to be a game-changer for Duckworth, but it's still not rejuvenation. There aren't even plans for commerce in any of the buildings there. So there's no reason to assume pedestrian traffic will substantially increase (apart from the new residents).

[mrjanejacobs]

They are really going to need some immediate amenities next to these buildings on Duckworth - particularly a small corner shop. Hopefully one will open up... somewhere. haha

[Townie709]

Originally Posted by mrjanejacobs

Re this proposal - I'm indifferent. I haven't seen the renderings so I have no reason to be enthusiastic. However, in terms of 'urban rejuvenation' I hesitate - one or two buildings won't constitute urban rejuvenation (and I really don't think these two will do much).

Urban rejuvenation requires a master-plan and it's usually a concerted effort initiated by a local government or community group.

MIX and all that has a lot more potential to be a game-changer for Duckworth, but it's still not rejuvenation. There aren't even plans for commerce in any of the buildings there. So there's no reason to assume pedestrian traffic will substantially increase (apart from the new residents).

Here's the renders for the two buildings..



Personally, if they remain true to the design in the renders and don't cheapen the design, I love it! I find it looks very elegant and european.

[SignalHillHiker]

I love it too. Exciting times for Duckworth. And this greatly increases the density in this odd little stretch of Duckworth with one-floor buildings.

I hope Zachary's and the Vietnamese place are next to go. It's embarrassing to have such buildings downtown - as ugly as most things west of Waldegrave.

Gah... I want this one to go ahead so badly.

[SignalHillHiker]

Another render Jeddy shared on FB:


http://www.thetelegram.com/media/photos/unis/2012/02/25/photo_2014588_resize.jpg