Author: John Denise

Poppy Plaza by Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative and Stantec Consulting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Like many landscapes, Poppy Plaza in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is situated in an area that provides many opportunities we need to identify and take advantage of as designers. The inherent value in natural systems, existing development, and human use create a set of parameters that distinguishes one site from another. The way we use this information to create a thorough design that serves the needs of potential users can lead to compelling projects that make a statement. One important aspect of our communities is the connections they create. Poppy Plaza uses design to bridge old connections and create new ones. We will explore the connections Poppy Plaza makes in relation to the Landscape of Memory and surrounding areas.

Poppy Plaza: The Landscape of Memory

Poppy Plaza is part of a $3.5 million redevelopment project along Memorial Drive known as the Landscape of Memory. The goal of the Landscape of Memory is to commemorate Canada’s contribution to World War I and II and other peace-keeping efforts. The road serves as a living memorial to the community. Designed by Marc Boutin Architectural Collaborative and Stantec Consulting, Poppy Plaza took an unused open space at the intersection of Memorial Drive and 10th Street NW and transformed it into an exciting public space.

Living Trees within Poppy Plaza Starting in 1922, an effort to plant a tree for every fallen soldier began, with the hope of providing solace to grieving families that did not have a grave to visit. Up until 1928, a total of 3,278 trees were planted, the majority being Poplars (Populus wobbstii). Today, most of these trees are nearing the end of their life cycle, which is in part the reason for the revitalization. In Poppy Plaza, a bosque of new trees was planted to continue the legacy of this tradition. They add a special interest to the plaza and are accentuated by the lighting design. Related Articles:

• Top Ten Most Controversial Monuments of the World
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• The Art and Science of Wind Propelled Sculptures

Poppy Plaza: Elements to Memorialize

Using landscape as a memorial can be a powerful experience. We are so small compared to the rest of the world, and realizing this can evoke a sense of reflection. Large letters spell out “MEMORIAL” along Memorial Drive NW. These steel letters are slotted so that when you drive or walk by the site, some of the letters appear solid, while others are transparent. They have a profound presence, and blatantly spell out what the park is about.

Large steel sculptures are also found at every corner of the park, emphasizing the entrance points to provide a sense of place for the plaza, creating its own identity and connecting it to the other steel elements in the design. Creating and Maintaining Connections at Poppy Plaza The most prominent new connection Poppy Plaza creates is to the adjacent Bow River. The river was not accessible from this area before this project. To solve this, the design navigates the grade change between road level and the bank of the river through steps and ramps. Cor-Ten steel memorial walls provide inscriptions of poem and speech excerpts that invite users to pause and contemplate the sacrifice of war. They also function to stabilize the bank of the river and provide a sense of place. Once you arrive at the edge of the river, there is a pathway that runs parallel to the water with views of downtown Calgary across the river. This landscape draws upon the emotive qualities of the river to generate feelings of contemplation and remembrance. Cyclists, joggers, walkers and skateboarders utilize Poppy Plaza and the surrounding areas. The pedestrian river walk that is part of this project is connected to a larger system that parallels the Bow River on both sides, connecting people to nature in an urban landscape. People from downtown Calgary can easily access Poppy Plaza using the Peace Bridge, which is just a few minutes walk from the site. Once they get to Poppy Plaza, the steel components and wooden deck design invite users of the pathway to enter the space. From here, they can experience the plaza and connect to the Kensington Commercial District on the other side of Memorial Drive. There are a lot of elements in the design of Poppy Plaza that add interest to the space and allow for a unique experience every time you visit. It is such a successful project because it connects to the surrounding community in a variety of ways to create an engaging memorial. We need to be aware of the context of sites as designers in order to respond to the various issues and opportunities in final designs. The big question is how do we identify the context and bridge these connections? Poppy Plaza does this in a unique way that fits into the context of Memorial Drive while adding value to it. Recommended Reading:

• The Green Roof Manual: A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance by Linda McIntyre
• Green Roof Construction and Maintenance (GreenSource Books) (McGraw-Hill’s Greensource) by Kelly Luckett

Article by Nick Shannon Return to Homepage

A look at how the green roof can have a positive influence on your bank balance. In the world today, it seems like everyone is talking about how we should become more “sustainable”. With the pressing issues of climate change and in an attempt to treat the Earth in a more respectful manner, people have implemented green infrastructure into the fields of design and construction. One of the most compelling ways that we have been making buildings more environmentally friendly is through green roofs. An otherwise unused part of a building can become a functional addition that can save you money in the long run. There are several cost-saving advantages to having a green roof that can increase the efficiency of your roof.

Benefits of having a Green Roof

1. Reduced Energy Use [contextly_sidebar id=”vCfk5fd7xwUzLiaLGdD05l86NSzttKzp”] Green roofs can greatly reduce your energy bills. The plants on a green roof absorb heat and act as insulators, keeping buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This decreases air conditioning and heating costs, which have a tendency to become expensive fast. Cooling costs can be cut by 20 to 30 percent in the summer months because the temperature of the roof is reduced. (Environmental News Network) During the winter, a green roof can lead to a 10 percent reduction in building energy use by reducing the need for heating. (ASLA) The added benefit of reducing your energy bill can become one of the reasons you should consider a green roof. 2. Green Roofs Deteriorate Slower than Conventional Roofs A green roof should be viewed as an investment in the long-term life of a building. While the upfront costs may seem troubling, the long-term benefits outweigh any short-term discomfort. The longevity of a roof greatly increases if a green roof is used instead of conventional roofing methods. WATCH: Weighing the Benefits of Green Roofs The vegetation and soil of a green roof add a layer of protection that keeps the roofing materials from deteriorating as fast as a normal roof, which would be exposed to the elements. This layer of vegetation also protects the roof from harmful UV radiation, as well as temperature extremes, reducing stress on the roofing and using the plants as a buffer. This can extend the useful life of a roof by 20 years and avoid or delay replacement costs (NRDC). 3. Increased Stormwater Management Efficiency The way, we deal with water in the built environment, is always a concerning issue. In cities, the high amount of impermeable surface inhibits the infiltration of water into the ground. This has led to the implementation of green infrastructure that can improve the efficiency of stormwater management.

Green roofs are a great alternative that mitigate the impacts of stormwater. This is accomplished by slowing the flow of the water and reducing the amount that runs off into the urban environment. A lot of money can be put into the installation of drainage systems along roofs, but the need for this is lessened with a green roof because the water is absorbed by the plants and soil. WATCH: Green Roof Grows Environmental Benefits Green roofs absorb a large amount of rainfall, ranging from 40 to 80 percent of the annual rainfall. (NRDC) This saves you money by reducing the need for drainage systems and helps the environment by dealing with water in a more natural manner. 4. Increased Property Value Green roofs are a great way to put otherwise dormant space to use and turn a roof into something that is an asset to your building. Larger buildings can accommodate green roofs with places for people to gather and experience a different perspective of the urban landscape. The need for green space in cities is an issue that can be solved with green roofs. People like to be outdoors in green space; it is beneficial for the health of the user and for the health of the environment, especially in urban areas. This can become a selling point for future buyers, along with the fact that a green roof will reduce their annual energy usage. 5. Makes your Company Look Better When a company installs a green roof, they are making a statement. It says, “We walk the walk” and shows potential customers that its values are actually being implemented in the real world. This increases customers’ trust and gives them a better feeling as to what a company is really about. WATCH: Green Roofs for Healthy Cities One company, that is starting to use its roof to its advantage, is Whole Foods. On top of its store in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Whole Foods has created a rooftop farm to grow produce that is directly sold to customers in the store below. This is a great way, to promote the company’s image and show customers how committed the company, is to providing them with the highest quality produce possible. Bonus Video: Best Green Roofs in NYC Green roofs are a great investment that can add value to any building. With all of their money-saving benefits, green roofs can become a great asset to a company or residence. Over a 40-year period, the cost of an extensive green roof can be 20 to 25 percent less than the cost of a conventional roof (NRDC). This does not include the energy savings a green roof will provide, which will only add to your savings. If you are trying to decide if a green roof is right for you, Portland State University has a Green Roof Energy Calculator that will estimate the amount of money you save. With all of these benefits, how can we make green roofs more prominent in our cities? Recommended Reading:

• The Green Roof Manual: A Professional Guide to Design, Installation, and Maintenance by Linda McIntyre
• Green Roof Construction and Maintenance (GreenSource Books) (McGraw-Hill’s Greensource) by Kelly Luckett

Article by Nick Shannon Return to Homepage

Escale Numérique, by JCDecaux and Mathieu Lehanneur, Paris, France. The city of Paris aimed to increase the function of its urban infrastructure in 2012 when city officials held a competition to design intelligent street furniture. The need to integrate technology into the urban context is imminent for many cities, and this has led to a variety of design solutions. The winner of this competition was the world-leading outdoor advertising company JCDecaux, in collaboration with designer Mathieu Lehanneur. Their project, Escale Numérique (Digital Break), creates a series of WiFi stations where people can access information about the city and connect to the Internet.

Smart Urban Furniture

This urban development project is designed to create a space for people to use the Internet. A shade structure is created from a plant-covered roof supported by architectural elements that resemble tree trunks. Concrete swivel chairs are anchored underneath this roof, with a table and outlets for each person. WATCH: Escale Numérique, it’s in French but the idea speaks for itself Questioning the Connection The implementation of this project raises several questions about the function of urban infrastructure. Do we really need to be connected to the internet at all times? The urban aspect of the city is so diverse, with so many opportunities for interaction. Shouldn’t we build upon this instead of making it so easy for people to ignore their surroundings?

A Connected Haven of Peace Located on the Rond Point des Champs-Elysées, Escale Numérique provides a sense of respite from the buzz of traffic and pedestrian movement within the city. People can sit and focus on something, whether that may be their smart phone, laptop, or a book. The protective shelter of the roof and the access to free WiFi give people a feeling of separation from their surroundings. The access to the Internet is a revival of the underground fiber optic network that supplies the capital. These stations raise this connection from beneath the ground and make it accessible to the public. This idea is similar to the way the Wallace Fountains brought drinking water to Parisians in the late 1800s — the drinking water that was circulating beneath their feet became directly accessible to the public in the same way the Internet cable network is being brought up for public use. An integration of the digital and physical landscapes allows users to be productive within the city in a world in which we are increasingly dependent on technology. The Need to Be Connected We are so reliant on technology today that when we don’t have instant access to it, we become frustrated. Not so long ago, the only way people could interact was through face-to-face conversations. They got things done without the ease of computers or smart phones. The rapid development of technology in recent years has created a new paradigm of interaction and productivity. So much of our world now depends on the Internet, and our lives are now stored in the cloud or on our hard drives. It is simply how we get things done in this age of modernization. The benefits of technology, such as increased efficiency and access to information, are not without the negative effects of decreased social interaction and disconnection from the natural world. Is Avoiding Feeling Uncomfortable a Good Thing? Escale Numérique provides a connection for Parisians and tourists; however, they do not interact with each other. The large touch screen billboard is designed to be used to find your way around the city and create an augmented reality. This was done in response to the feeling of hesitation a tourist feels when he has to ask a local for directions. Related Articles: 

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It eliminates the need for that uncomfortable interaction. However, travel inherently puts you out of your comfort zone, so why not build upon this through design? A local will know things a large touch screen could never tell you, such as the best place to eat or the best way to get there. Public Space and Technology Public space functions at so many levels that it is hard to ignore its importance. It shapes the way we interact with people and our surroundings, especially in cities. Today, the smartphone has enabled people to move through public spaces as if they were in their own private bubble. The typical distracted walker looking at her phone is often encountered in a city. When you sit down in a public space, it is so easy to remove yourself from your immediate surroundings through looking at your phone, laptop, or tablet. Doing so causes a loss in the connection to place, and place is what landscape architects are supposed to design. Why spend so much effort in the design and implementation of a public space if people are not going to fully appreciate it? Escale Numérique loses this connection to place that we should be creating and celebrating in the city. Yes, this project is a beautiful integration of technology and design, but is that what the world needs? Maybe we should approach the design of public spaces from the understanding that they should create connections between people, not electronics, because that is what is lacking in cities today. Landscape architecture has the potential to be the leader in this approach to design, but it hasn’t been accomplished quite yet. Recommended Reading:

• Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery
• The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs

Article by Nick Shannon Return to Homepage