Regina Construction III

[TechnicalRecession]

Originally Posted by Draftsman

My two cents... I like it. I live a block away from Darke Hall, and have for 30 years. I think it will look good, though I am curious to see what the Conexus building will look like. And while I am not happy with the site of the Conexus building, and the potential loss of mature trees, there is a need to better align Wascana Drive with Lorne Street, which I am sure will be addressed at that time.

Speaking of cutting down mature trees, I see the city has cut down three mature trees (2 American Elms and 1 ash tree) at the north east corner of Victoria park. There is a big gap at that entrance now with no trees and really ruins that entrance into the park. I believe the city has cut a few other mature trees down in that vicinity in recent years, anyone know what's the deal?

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Yes. The vast majority of people believe that architecture stopped in 1929 and anything reflective of the current year is an abomination.

Or just people have (and are allowed to have) different tastes? I dislike the style; wouldn't like it on its own, and dislike it more attached onto the College Campus. The East addition is a bit more successful (ignoring the blank wall at the end); it plays off the design of the windows in the old building but with a modern twist.

[Stormer]

Originally Posted by TechnicalRecession

Speaking of cutting down mature trees, I see the city has cut down three mature trees (2 American Elms and 1 ash tree) at the north east corner of Victoria park. There is a big gap at that entrance now with no trees and really ruins that entrance into the park. I believe the city has cut a few other mature trees down in that vicinity in recent years, anyone know what's the deal?

This was earlier in the winter. I assume they were on their last legs and will be replaced this summer. It is always tough to see though.

[PhotoJim]

Originally Posted by TechnicalRecession

Speaking of cutting down mature trees, I see the city has cut down three mature trees (2 American Elms and 1 ash tree) at the north east corner of Victoria park. There is a big gap at that entrance now with no trees and really ruins that entrance into the park. I believe the city has cut a few other mature trees down in that vicinity in recent years, anyone know what's the deal?

Dutch elm disease, most likely. Or the trees were weakened or diseased in other ways, which would make them very vulnerable to Dutch elm disease.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by Nathan

Or just people have (and are allowed to have) different tastes? I dislike the style; wouldn't like it on its own, and dislike it more attached onto the College Campus. The East addition is a bit more successful (ignoring the blank wall at the end); it plays off the design of the windows in the old building but with a modern twist.

It would be fine if people (not specifically you) had a specific taste for architecture but they don't. They literally just believe that everything should be some variant of classicism, or Victorian or Edwardian. That's why are suburbs are full of fake Victorians in 2017. It's why anyone who tries to reflect the current year is shouted down by "heritage" people.

The general guidelines for additions to heritage properties is to ensure they are modern and set apart from the existing property. But most people literally want the buildings to be exact copies. And that's pathetic.

[Chorduroy]

Originally Posted by Drofmab

zero chance it'll be stucco. It'll be brick.

I don't know - watching the flythrough doesn't give me a lot of confidence that it won't be stucco ... it clearly shows brick as the material for the existing walls, but it doesn't look like brick for the new walls.

I hope I'm wrong.

I'm certainly not the type to eschew any kind of new design or material choices, but I just feel that the addition could have been made to fit in with the existing building much better. It just looks awkward to me.

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by Chorduroy

I don't know - watching the flythrough doesn't give me a lot of confidence that it won't be stucco ... it clearly shows brick as the material for the existing walls, but it doesn't look like brick for the new walls.

I hope I'm wrong.

I'm certainly not the type to eschew any kind of new design or material choices, but I just feel that the addition could have been made to fit in with the existing building much better. It just looks awkward to me.

I hope to be wrong and the reality will be better than the picture. The extension for the Sound stage had some continuity. I don't see any sort of continuity in this new design. I'm not a fan.

[J-Walker]

The College Campus design has grown on me the more I review the presentation. Typically, I'm not overly enthusiastic about modernist architecture. In many cases, it seems to have become a fall-back for architects looking to save time, thought, and effort on exterior design – especially now in a lot of low-cost, mass-production projects. As one of the main principles of modernism is that form follows function, this sometimes leads to very uninteresting and unoriginal budget designs. But in this case, I think a low-key modernist style was a good choice for the addition, as it doesn’t outshine the architecture of the heritage buildings (which remains the real focal point), while at the same time is very distinctive so as not to blend into original building as an addition by replication. The massing of the addition is also done very well, materials (it looks to be red brick in the close-up renderings) and architectural elements like the large windows are repeated, but not duplicated, to provide continuity between the façades, and the overall design (especially the porte cochere) lends itself to a really functional and intuitive layout for people on the ground. I think it’s a win for the site, and compared to the confusing mess that was there before, is orders of magnitude improved.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by J-Walker

Typically, I'm not overly enthusiastic about modernist architecture. In many cases, it seems to have become a fall-back for architects looking to save time, thought, and effort on exterior design – especially now in a lot of low-cost, mass-production projects. As one of the main principles of modernism is that form follows function, this sometimes leads to very uninteresting and unoriginal budget designs.

Most modernism/minimalism actually takes more time and costs more money.

[watchedmofu]

What is wrong with the officials down at city hall? Drove by the travellers building site today and the mess that is left there. I thought the reason for the tear down was a safety issue. Well the mess there now is not much safer,so sick of the mayor and city council. These so called city officials really need to start coming down on these building /land owners! Imo that mess DOWNTOWN really does leave a bad reputation on Regina

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by watchedmofu

What is wrong with the officials down at city hall? Drove by the travellers building site today and the mess that is left there. I thought the reason for the tear down was a safety issue. Well the mess there now is not much safer,so sick of the mayor and city council. These so called city officials really need to start coming down on these building /land owners! Imo that mess DOWNTOWN really does leave a bad reputation on Regina

Lol. Yes, the city started it on fire so they could tear it down and leave a pile of rubble.

[BrutallyDishonest2]

Originally Posted by pappcam

Lol. Yes, the city started it on fire so they could tear it down and leave a pile of rubble.

Pretty sure I heard that in Fougere's State of the City Address

[Electric Ashlar]

I have always hated the Travelers building and the whole strip of buildings on the east and west sides of Broad street.

When I heard the news I high-fived all my co-workers because they all to a man shared my opine.

In Fact ,knowing how a tornado always seems to target trailer parks...Broad street between 11th and 12th is trailer trashy no matter how you view itz historical or heritage aspects.

I pray for a 'pin-point' tornado to level the whole block without injurious results to physical persons,the landowners can get insurance and we get a:
"BROAD STREET"

The existing sidewalks could be set back on each side widening that section of the downtown front.

Broadening Broad street there would create a pedestrian area as well as provide an extra 'turning lane wich is the minimal amount each side of the street should be set back.

The liquor store is a scourge and helps propogate the seedy settings on one of this Capital City's most visible sections to visitors and tourists let alone we the locals.

To have curb appeal they should set back the curb on the East side and wait for that miracle tornado to 'finish off' the future projects on the West side.

I found this forum when page #333 popped up in my google.

Cool.

Who knew there was a bunch of Reginans and others talking about our city.

Awesome!!!



Great posts I've read through since page 333

[Electric Ashlar]

I like our fake lake but itz not a "Great Lake"(the mighty Wascana!)
We have no mountains around here except a big bump near claybank/avonlea
Sum Thing is missing on our skyline...


[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/T1AEeq]
The Two cities -Toronto/Calgary aren't even CAPITALS (ignore all Caps)
If we are a Capital City we should look somewhat important.

The legislature is a nice Administrative building but if we are talking mixing Modernity with Old school we need a Tower.

But not an ugly space-needle thingamajig

This prairie is as flat as the moon and a tower would exhilarate us flatlanders.

Eye can see for kilometers and kilometers...

[Electric Ashlar]

Lol! Harvest Tower

[IMG][url=https://flic.kr/p/Suon27]

[Nathan]

psst... Toronto is the capital of Ontario, the most populous province by far...

[Electric Ashlar]

anything but a space-needle.




Thanks Nathan, for some reason I mixed it up with Ottawa...could'a been the whiskey...might'a bin the gin...

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by Electric Ashlar

Thanks Nathan, for some reason I mixed it up with Ottawa...could'a been the whiskey...might'a bin the gin...

Well... Ottawa's a capital too.

Maybe you're looking for Montreal? or Vancouver?

[StealthGirl]

Originally Posted by watchedmofu

What is wrong with the officials down at city hall? Drove by the travellers building site today and the mess that is left there. I thought the reason for the tear down was a safety issue. Well the mess there now is not much safer,so sick of the mayor and city council. These so called city officials really need to start coming down on these building /land owners! Imo that mess DOWNTOWN really does leave a bad reputation on Regina

Are the investigators finished sifting through the rubble for any bodies and establishing the cause of the fire? The building had to come down because you can't leave 25 foot brick walls unsupported. What I don't know is how long the investigation takes. Obviously they have to wait a few days for it to cool and then they can get in there. It's been ten days. I'm not surprised there is still a mess on site. There has been no announcement makes me think there hasn't been a cause of fire determined yet.

[J-Walker]

Originally Posted by BrutallyDishonest2

Most modernism/minimalism actually takes more time and costs more money.

Yes, you are correct. True modern/minimalist buildings can be significantly more expensive to construct in comparison to conventional buildings, as they tend to utilize higher cost materials and their non-traditional designs can require more expensive construction methods and tolerances. My comments should have referred to the use of modernist "styling" rather than modernist "architecture." I'll try to justify my hair-splitting of the two terms by stressing that I like the College Campus addition, its a good example of holistically utilizing modernist architectural fundamentals in its form, function, and appearance - basically all aspects of its design. My criticism of modernist architecture was intended to be directed towards conventional construction that has co-opted the styling of modernism for external facades, but does not introduce modernist design elements in any other aspects of the build (structure, materials, layout, etc.). This seems to be becoming more common in multi-unit, low-cost projects (mid-rise residential and low-rise industrial/commercial) where the modernist styling is used in combination with lower-quality materials (stucco and vinyl) on square-box designs exhibiting no significant design elements to produce a less than spectacular result.