Three different concepts were developed as part of a recent design charrette. The intention of the charrette is to develop a wide range of ideas and strategies for the future of Great Northern Way Campus, not to pick a "preferred scheme". These ideas may be incorporated into a Draft Plan to be developed in the Fall, 2008.
We welcome your feedback. Please submit your comments about the Charrette Designs through our online feedback form:
http://gnwc.ca/campus_plan_feedback
CONCEPT A
Planning Principles
1. The plan builds on the strengths of the existing site
2. An "Agora" is the central focus of the plan, an events space, a town square
3. New linkages connect the site to the surrounding community
4. The plan is phased, allowing for incremental change
5. Building stock is adaptable
6. Lower structures to the south and higher to the north
7. A new governance model includes a “trust” with community representation and an alternative approach to the zoning and approval process
8. "Innovation" is made visible on the site in the arts, sustainability, and educational pursuits
Sustainability Strategies and Goals
1. The site is a transit intersection linking SkyTrain, streetcar, bikes, and pedestrians
2. As a walking community, the car is de-emphasized and parking is centralized
3. A regenerative site - a healthy, innovative, contributor
4. Energy
* start = low-carbon networked energy
* end = net-zero energy, export to neighbours
5. Water
* start = collect and use all rain water, treat black water
* end = no import of potable water, export clean water
6. Habitat
* start = creating grasslands, marsh habitat
* end = continuous corridor of habitat
7. Ideas
* start = highly visible new technologies tested on each building (new and retrofit)
* end = technologies taken to scale and exported
Site Plan
Rendering
3D-plan
CONCEPT B
Planning Principles
1. A supple plan – responds to and evolves with opportunities and GNWC partners
2. An academic creative garage – not an ivory tower
3. A place where the act of making is Visible
4. A "Green Room" for civic culture
5. Transit as a key to the public realm
6. Working landscapes – not decorative
7. Industrial Rowhousing
8. Big , Cheap, Solid and well wired
9. Thin buildings and Fat buildings
10. Indoor/outdoor ambiguity
11. Rent for anything
12. Multiple revenue streams
Sustainability Strategies and Goals
1. Skytrain and Tram linked to public space
2. Use of existing buildings in short / medium term
3. A living site
4. Net Zero water
5. Energy from organic waste, solar thermal, geo as available
6. Urban agriculture
7. Performance specs for energy and water use
Site Plan
Rendering
Transit
CONCEPT C
Planning Principles
1. Connectivity
* …to the downtown
* …to Mt.Pleasant
* …to False Creek
2. Incrementalism
* …not a one-time mega-project
* …maximize use of existing buildings’ finer fabric
* …not mega-tenants
3. Design a process for change
* …rather than a one-time project
4. An island
* …not extending the city grid
Sustainability Strategies and Goals
1. Energy
* Toward Carbon Neutrality
* Energy systems part of research program
2. Energy Systems
* Biomass Heat as a base system
* Heat pump for heating and limited cooling
o Ground Source
o Heat from Treated Sewage
o Air Source
3. Research tool for Students
4. Energy Systems Research
5. Water Treatment
* Onsite sewage treatment and water reuse
6. Water Canal provides site design feature plus:
* Storm water collection system
* Visual building storm water drainage
* Bioswales provide cleansing of water in canal
7. Monitoring
* Tell the story of how it works
* On site and web performance indicators
* Buildings and residential units monitored for feedback to occupants
* Water, Energy, Waste
Site Plan
Rendering
Transit