What do you think of this project?

  • Total voters
    42
ADob said:
I basically said that this is not an acceptable level of design for a central location like this and recommended larger windows and better materials. I may have added something about not accepting crap, although I phrased it a bit nicer.
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The materials seem above average, to be honest, if not better than Westrich; just toss some larger windows on it.
 
I received a response from them today:

Thank you for reaching out.

We have two options available for sharing your comments with the Committee:

1) You can register to speak to the Committee about this item at our meeting on March 3. The procedure for public speakers can be found here. Please note: This portion of the meeting is public and will be livestreamed to the EDC YouTube channel.

2) You can submit a formal letter outlining your concerns and have it circulated to the Committee in advance of the meeting. Please note: This letter must be made public as part of the meeting record, and will be linked in the agenda posted on our website.

Please let me know how you would like to proceed, and if you have any further questions.

So, what points, other than the small windows and general ugliness should I bring up? Ideas? I know that the building makes my soul sad but I could use some suggestions on specifics to mention.
 
I actually stayed in a college residence last summer while in Toronto (good prices and good reviews outside of the school season). It doesn’t take a genius to build a nice simple building… I’m not sure why we’re so bad at it lol.
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Doesn’t EDC have very little influence on what can be built? If all zoning requirements are met then aren’t they just simply giving their opinion?
 
ADob said:
So, what points, other than the small windows and general ugliness should I bring up
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Where to start... 1. Better street interaction would be a big one. This is student housing (term used reservedly) so that which benefits students in the realm of "off-hours" -- retail and hospitality that appeals to students' relaxation times -- reference the UofA border goings-on -- casual eateries, coffee houses, grab-'n-go market, entertainment venues... also UofA HUB, 2. reduction in disparate facade treatments (a sickness that seems to have caught Edmonton by the throat), 3. more variation in elevational heights of buildings and more in-and-out relief of facades (the two kind of go together), 4. better sense of entry/arrival points to each of the four buildings, 5. More functional use of outdoor common space -- meeting areas, games areas, quiet reflection areas, 6. more street-side breathing space -- mini-pocket parks, 7. Roof-top common space... gardens for example (gawd this place is so lacking in imagination -- it is hard to even conceive of a worse solution, architecturally and functionally). Of course better windows -- not just bigger but with more variety -- currently looks like an ill-conceived army barracks; maybe Juliet balconies. The more I try to critique this solution the more I feel like the current solution should just land in the waste basket -- start over with a new design team.
 
Something that I think *could* possibly work here is the common area balconies, akin to the City's supportive housing units.

Below isn't a spectacular looking building either with small punched windows (and this one is actually modular!), but at least the central balconies with their slatted covers adds a degree of colour and visual interest. Don't think many students are smokers now but an area to get some quick fresh air in between bouts of studying would probably be a positive amenity, and it wouldn't take up substantial amounts of precious site space.

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northlands said:
Something that I think *could* possibly work here is the common area balconies, akin to the City's supportive housing units.

Below isn't a spectacular looking building either with small punched windows (and this one is actually modular!), but at least the central balconies with their slatted covers adds a degree of colour and visual interest. Don't think many students are smokers now but an area to get some quick fresh air in between bouts of studying would probably be a positive amenity, and it wouldn't take up substantial amounts of precious site space.

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The Canora Supportive housing is this concept but MUCH nicer
Its Wrapping up Right Now (It's the Building North of the Burnt Down Klondiker/Jasper Place hotel)
 
archited said:
Where to start... 1. Better street interaction would be a big one. This is student housing (term used reservedly) so that which benefits students in the realm of "off-hours" -- retail and hospitality that appeals to students' relaxation times -- reference the UofA border goings-on -- casual eateries, coffee houses, grab-'n-go market, entertainment venues... also UofA HUB, 2. reduction in disparate facade treatments (a sickness that seems to have caught Edmonton by the throat), 3. more variation in elevational heights of buildings and more in-and-out relief of facades (the two kind of go together), 4. better sense of entry/arrival points to each of the four buildings, 5. More functional use of outdoor common space -- meeting areas, games areas, quiet reflection areas, 6. more street-side breathing space -- mini-pocket parks, 7. Roof-top common space... gardens for example (gawd this place is so lacking in imagination -- it is hard to even conceive of a worse solution, architecturally and functionally). Of course better windows -- not just bigger but with more variety -- currently looks like an ill-conceived army barracks; maybe Juliet balconies. The more I try to critique this solution the more I feel like the current solution should just land in the waste basket -- start over with a new design team.
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I just sent my response. I used a lot of these points but did not copy.
 
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