archited
Senior Member
The Edmonton Courthouse design was spawned (gentle word for ripped off) from the Boston City Hall. I agree the child is much more handsome than the parent.
- Thread starter Daveography
- Start date
dunno
Active Member
it’s still a no from me dog
Aaron_Lloyd
Active Member
@Daveography Not to drag out this digression more than it already has been but I think the finish on the building whose photo you posted is closer to the pebbled exterior on this building on 107 St. than the smooth exterior of the courthouse. The former I feel definitely takes the 'petina' better than the latter, likely due to the already natural appearance of the pebbles.
Kaizen
Senior Member
IanO
Superstar
Share your thoughts on the new Centennial Plaza space:
engaged.edmonton.ca
Centennial Plaza Redevelopment - Preliminary Design
Thank you for your contributions! The discussion has concluded and a What We Heard Report is available.
engaged.edmonton.ca
kcantor
Senior Member
^
"While there are elements here that I like, there are some that fail. One of the largest urban failures we have with Rice Howard Way, Judy Padua Way and Shoctor Alley is the lack of any east/west connection between Canada Place and 101st Street. Not only are there misalignments along 101A Avenue and a lack of through traffic in either direction, there is no visual connection either. One of the largest obstructions to that visual connection has been the Molson Amphitheatre and this plan perpetuates that with the fenced in daycare area. That area should be as low and as transparent as possible (i.e. glass rather than solid railings at the edges) to minimize that as much as possible. It should be maintained along Judy Padua Way as well as at the ends so you also have sight-lines from the sidewalk on the south side clear across this plaza to the library. This would make that streetscape sidewalk - which has no transparent urban edges to the Westin - a safer, more open and inviting stretch. I would then move the day care space adjacent to the library where the building would provide shelter from the prevailing north west wind and well as some shelter from the weather underneath the overhang. The locations of the other elements could simply be adjusted to suit. Losing the entrance to the Westin Parking from Rue Hull will be a loss if the ramp at that corner of the plaza can't be integrated without closing it. Tree species haven't been shown but the ones on the south side of Judy Padua Way will be problematic given the lack of sunshine they will get. I hope (a) the tree wells will be generous enough to help compensate for that and (b) that the trees are large enough when first installed to have a good chance for survival (the typical vertical twigs that have been planted in recent years won't have a hope or a prayer)."
"While there are elements here that I like, there are some that fail. One of the largest urban failures we have with Rice Howard Way, Judy Padua Way and Shoctor Alley is the lack of any east/west connection between Canada Place and 101st Street. Not only are there misalignments along 101A Avenue and a lack of through traffic in either direction, there is no visual connection either. One of the largest obstructions to that visual connection has been the Molson Amphitheatre and this plan perpetuates that with the fenced in daycare area. That area should be as low and as transparent as possible (i.e. glass rather than solid railings at the edges) to minimize that as much as possible. It should be maintained along Judy Padua Way as well as at the ends so you also have sight-lines from the sidewalk on the south side clear across this plaza to the library. This would make that streetscape sidewalk - which has no transparent urban edges to the Westin - a safer, more open and inviting stretch. I would then move the day care space adjacent to the library where the building would provide shelter from the prevailing north west wind and well as some shelter from the weather underneath the overhang. The locations of the other elements could simply be adjusted to suit. Losing the entrance to the Westin Parking from Rue Hull will be a loss if the ramp at that corner of the plaza can't be integrated without closing it. Tree species haven't been shown but the ones on the south side of Judy Padua Way will be problematic given the lack of sunshine they will get. I hope (a) the tree wells will be generous enough to help compensate for that and (b) that the trees are large enough when first installed to have a good chance for survival (the typical vertical twigs that have been planted in recent years won't have a hope or a prayer)."
archited
Senior Member
OMG -- another City planters and benches, planters and benches, planters and benches, planters and benches -- I think that Edmonton is going to be able to sit and have their brown-bag lunch at so many different downtown locations that we're going to have to ask Calgary and other Alberta Cities to please come and help with occupancy of these so-called pocket parks. While the eye-candy aspect is one thing, the practicality of these "meeting-room" solutions is so far off base. This effort should be stopped in its tracks -- what a waste of money, waste of space, waste of energy. Edmontonians should be up in arms over this travesty!
kcantor
Senior Member
^
it sounds like you're not aware of the new film in town... there will be no lack of street life making good use of these spaces and their planters and benches.
it sounds like you're not aware of the new film in town... there will be no lack of street life making good use of these spaces and their planters and benches.
archited
Senior Member
I was going to make the effort to send my thoughts via the City form but out of the 30 plus times I have done that in the past... nothing. They don't read these comments -- they have already passed the Design phase and are heading towards implementation. Here is an excellent one for all to watch -- my 20 bucks is on nothing from this plan is going to change. The City needs new leadership!
IanO
Superstar
How is this not being designed as the BEST play space in the city. Make it amazing for the daycare and for play.
Clearshades
Senior Member
Wake me up when we become headquarter of defences.
Avenuer
Senior Member
The fact that this backs onto the Milner Children's Library should be reason enough to build a 'super' playground.
IanO
Superstar
One would think, but it seems to have morphed into a space for everyone. I really had high hopes of an amazing private and public kids play area.
kcantor
Senior Member
so was it always "intended to add greenery, play, required daycare space and a new social space for folks visiting the area" or was it intended to be "a super playground that morphed into a space for everyone" instead of "an amazing private and public kids play area"?
questionable platitudes aside, whatever it was or is intended to be, it is pretty much set up to share the same failure that 103 avenue between 100th and 101st street is fated for - it will end up being a space for nobody too much of the time. it will be a more central, hard surfaced mary burlie park.
IanO
Superstar
My understanding was that it was to have been a large outdoor (connected) playground for the daycare that was accessed off of the children's section, but that was changed for some reason. We knew that it was to have the stage removed to improve connections, sight-lines and shift the potential opportunities of use going forward. The rest was quite vague.