Above: Victoria Island Site
Below: Conceptual Map of radial patterns throughout island and separation of dynamic and Spiritual activities
Above: Walking path
Below: Urban farm
Below: Section of Pods
Task: asked to preserve, reinterpret and reuse Victoria island and Chaudierre falls in Ottawa as a public space in a group of 5.
Victoria Island is in desperate need of rebirth. Mindful of past aboriginal culture and experiences that took place on the land, the design concept focuses on re- energizing the island by bringing multipurpose spaces for communal spiritual functions. The use of landscape design will instill a symbiotic relationship between the natural environment and the man – made, linking them seamlessly together as a form of unity.
Landscaping throughout the island will take the form of radial patterns, alternating between foliage and earthen pathways. These will interconnect and create a pathway system to navigate around the island. Consisting of overlay wooden planks, the main passageway will begin at the entrance, maneuvering visitors towards the north – east portion of the island. As part of the natural environment of the southern shore, an eastern path will deviate from the wooden walkway and head south. The vibrant energy of the Buchanan Channel and Ottawa River will be reflected in the activities available on the northern part of Victoria Island. While leaving most existing buildings unchanged, such as Vertical Reality, new venue spaces for music festivals and multicultural gathering will be used as a magnet to attract visitors. In contrast to the southern dock, a northern dock will be used as a station for water taxis arriving from the Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Rowing Club docks.
The entrance is flanked by an urban farm that will take the place of the existing parking lot. This path will first take the visitors to a dock for recreational water sports such as kayaking and canoeing, aimed to be calming and enjoyable. Continuing down the path towards the southeastern side, a spiritual site is allocated for the aboriginal community in respect of their ritualistic practices and their spiritual connection with nature. The placid water of the Bronson Channel is in symbiosis with the tranquil setting, where healing through nature will unfold.
Pavilions of various sizes will be situated in several sites around the island. Theses healing pods will transform along the island according to the need of the people. In on one instance a pod can house plants, turning it into an urban farm, or could latch on to existing heritage sites and transform into a lively, vibrant venue space. The short term goal for Victoria Island is to bring people into the site and rejuvenate one of Canada’s treasures. The long term goal is to retrofit each and every one of the buildings and eventually incorporate the desired program (museum, aboriginal healing centre etc.) The rejuvenation pods and landscaping are a kick start to a much larger project. These pods in a ways are seen as a business model, to generate income for the restoration of the existing buildings, meanwhile adding a new exciting layer to Victoria Island through dance, music, farming and personal rituals.
Victoria Island is in desperate need of rebirth. Mindful of past aboriginal culture and experiences that took place on the land, the design concept focuses on re- energizing the island by bringing multipurpose spaces for communal spiritual functions. The use of landscape design will instill a symbiotic relationship between the natural environment and the man – made, linking them seamlessly together as a form of unity.
Landscaping throughout the island will take the form of radial patterns, alternating between foliage and earthen pathways. These will interconnect and create a pathway system to navigate around the island. Consisting of overlay wooden planks, the main passageway will begin at the entrance, maneuvering visitors towards the north – east portion of the island. As part of the natural environment of the southern shore, an eastern path will deviate from the wooden walkway and head south. The vibrant energy of the Buchanan Channel and Ottawa River will be reflected in the activities available on the northern part of Victoria Island. While leaving most existing buildings unchanged, such as Vertical Reality, new venue spaces for music festivals and multicultural gathering will be used as a magnet to attract visitors. In contrast to the southern dock, a northern dock will be used as a station for water taxis arriving from the Parliament Hill and the Ottawa Rowing Club docks.
The entrance is flanked by an urban farm that will take the place of the existing parking lot. This path will first take the visitors to a dock for recreational water sports such as kayaking and canoeing, aimed to be calming and enjoyable. Continuing down the path towards the southeastern side, a spiritual site is allocated for the aboriginal community in respect of their ritualistic practices and their spiritual connection with nature. The placid water of the Bronson Channel is in symbiosis with the tranquil setting, where healing through nature will unfold.
Pavilions of various sizes will be situated in several sites around the island. Theses healing pods will transform along the island according to the need of the people. In on one instance a pod can house plants, turning it into an urban farm, or could latch on to existing heritage sites and transform into a lively, vibrant venue space. The short term goal for Victoria Island is to bring people into the site and rejuvenate one of Canada’s treasures. The long term goal is to retrofit each and every one of the buildings and eventually incorporate the desired program (museum, aboriginal healing centre etc.) The rejuvenation pods and landscaping are a kick start to a much larger project. These pods in a ways are seen as a business model, to generate income for the restoration of the existing buildings, meanwhile adding a new exciting layer to Victoria Island through dance, music, farming and personal rituals.
