_redefining social housing in montreal's postindustrial landscape
_living + working + producing
_lilia koleva
_design & construction 2 - arch 304
_studio prof. robert mellin _winter 2008
_mcgill school of architecture
(scroll down)
_site
The site is located along the Lachine Canal, in proximity to Montreal's business disctrict and the Old Port. Once Canada's most thriving
industrial neighbourhood, the site lost its vitality and busyness over time with the deindustrialization and the construction of the
Bonaventure expressway in the 1970s. Yet, it remains a place of historical and cultural value, with many heritage buildings and a
strong sense of community.
griffintown video
(to view the video - right click + save the file)
_problem
The site will most probably undergo major urban changes in the near future, such as large-scale mixed used developments,
reconfiguration of the Bonaventure expressway into an underground tunnel and the introduction of tramlines. The task is to study the
proposed developer's projects and to design an architecturally significant project fot the site.
_sketch of the site, depicting some of the old industrial buildings
_design intent:
_work with the existing industrial elements the way they are and preserve the working landscape character
_start the bonaventure tunnel at wellington street + bring water further into the land as a negative volume of the once existing expressway
_develop the area in phases with high-density housing, elevated walkways, interior courtyards, agriculture gardens, green spaces within buildings
_create a pedestrian friendly zone + work with the open spaces, created by the buildings
_the three major focal points: the historical and cultural importance of griffintown, the canal and the downtown
_urban typologies of the site
_map of the parking lots and the empty spaces after the reconfiguration of the expressway
_layered diagram of the site, showing the proposed water extension, the new infrastructure and the building massing
_view down university street
_pedestrian friendly zone with a view of the public square
_view at the high-density mixed-use housing component
_the open spaces created by the buildings
_bridge building:
Conceptually the building is a bridge, a connection between two industrial neighbourhoods - Griffintown and Point St. Charles.
Thus, it preserves the industrial character with its exposed mechanical room, incorporated wind turbines within the builiding
and elevated roof system that holds solar panels. The facade is highly articulated, creating a sense of multiplicity and
variety, once part of the area.
_site plan and the location of the bridge building
_volumetric exploration of the unit typologies
_first floor plan of the building and the surrounding two pavilions
_second floor plan
_plans of the upper floors
_longidunal section, showing the different units
_east elevation
_west elevation
_ecological features, woven into the design
_natural ventilation and the use of wind turbines
_north-east corner_day view
_south-east_day view
_exterior ramp + bridge building phase II (in transparent)
_north-east corner_night view
_south-east facade_night view
_adjustable home:
The industrial character of the building is also refelcted in the design of the unit. The built-in furniture is adjustable to
accommodate different uses of the space. The unit incorporates a work space, reinforcing the idea of
living + working + producing
_unit plans
_quality of light in the morning
_open plan with folded up table
_dining area with table down
_work space area
_second floor/ bedroom
_exterior view
_software packages used:
_archicad v.11
_adobe illustrator cs3
_adobe photoshop cs3
_autocad 2008
_email: lilia.koleva@mail.mcgill.ca
