Halifax LEAP
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
AN INVITATION
Make time to attend the public presentation regarding the Spring Garden - Queen Street Lands Study. It is next week, Thursday night, March 23, at 7PM.
Come early expected to be standing room only by 6:45PM.
Click to Enlarge ¶ 9:38 AM 0 comments
Make time to attend the public presentation regarding the Spring Garden - Queen Street Lands Study. It is next week, Thursday night, March 23, at 7PM.
Come early expected to be standing room only by 6:45PM.
Click to Enlarge ¶ 9:38 AM 0 comments
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
QUEEN STREET CLYDE STREET
CONDOS CIVIC USE TOWNHOMES LIVE/WORK
Maple Street, Vancouver, Robert Ciccozzi Architect
i-plan E
Over the coming months, the guidelines for potential uses of the Queen Street lands are being put together. After the first public meeting, I have heard a lot of concern about how the land that borders the residential community will be used. Many have wondered about developing housing that could bring a diverse mixture of residents and families into the area. What are your thoughts on townhomes or a well-designed condo that is seven stories and set back from the street?
Reflections, Vancouver, Adera Development Corp.
Toronto Townhomes ¶ 7:54 AM 2 comments
CONDOS CIVIC USE TOWNHOMES LIVE/WORK
Maple Street, Vancouver, Robert Ciccozzi Architect
i-plan E
Over the coming months, the guidelines for potential uses of the Queen Street lands are being put together. After the first public meeting, I have heard a lot of concern about how the land that borders the residential community will be used. Many have wondered about developing housing that could bring a diverse mixture of residents and families into the area. What are your thoughts on townhomes or a well-designed condo that is seven stories and set back from the street?
Reflections, Vancouver, Adera Development Corp.
Toronto Townhomes ¶ 7:54 AM 2 comments
MIDTOWN EXCHANGE CONDOS
On the corner of Queen & Morris? What do you think?
Click to Enlarge - Midtown Exchange Condos on the Greenway, Minneapolis, Urban Works Architecture
These condos are very interesting, as they wrap around a multi-level parkade. By doing this the neighbourhood scale and feel are enforced rather than compromised by a big old parkade. During the Queen Street Lands Charrette this idea was put forth by M.P. as a possible way to address the parking needs without hurting the historic Schmitteville neighbourhood.
Midtown Exchange is the result of a ten year urban-community, public process.
From the Midtown Exchange web site, midtowncommunityworks.org/exchange/ :
"As the result of more than 10 years of efforts by neighborhood groups, local government and private-sector leaders, the vacant mega-site in the heart of south Minneapolis will be reborn as a vibrant, mixed-use urban hub.
The Midtown Exchange will contain 360 apartments, condos and townhomes; the headquarters of Allina Hospitals and Clinics; a Hennepin County service center; a new Sheraton hotel; and the Midtown Global Market, which will be the city's largest public market. The development will also include a new transit facility." ¶ 7:26 AM 0 comments
On the corner of Queen & Morris? What do you think?
Click to Enlarge - Midtown Exchange Condos on the Greenway, Minneapolis, Urban Works Architecture
These condos are very interesting, as they wrap around a multi-level parkade. By doing this the neighbourhood scale and feel are enforced rather than compromised by a big old parkade. During the Queen Street Lands Charrette this idea was put forth by M.P. as a possible way to address the parking needs without hurting the historic Schmitteville neighbourhood.
Midtown Exchange is the result of a ten year urban-community, public process.
From the Midtown Exchange web site, midtowncommunityworks.org/exchange/ :
"As the result of more than 10 years of efforts by neighborhood groups, local government and private-sector leaders, the vacant mega-site in the heart of south Minneapolis will be reborn as a vibrant, mixed-use urban hub.
The Midtown Exchange will contain 360 apartments, condos and townhomes; the headquarters of Allina Hospitals and Clinics; a Hennepin County service center; a new Sheraton hotel; and the Midtown Global Market, which will be the city's largest public market. The development will also include a new transit facility." ¶ 7:26 AM 0 comments
AWARD WINNING LIVE/WORK
Portland, OR. Orenco Station, sets a high standard for urban infill
Johnson Street Townhomes, Orenco Station, Portland, Oregon
Sue Hoyt Street Properties, Mithun Architects
The flex/work space is on the lower level, living room is on the main and bedrooms on the top floor.
"Johnson Street Townhomes, an inviting new urban infill community located in the historic Pearl
District of Portland, OR. The project was designed to complement the scale of the [surrounding] neighbourhood. A "sense of place" was maintained while adding to the vibrancy and pedestrian activity of this [important] neighbourhood." Mithun Architects
Click to Enlarge
What do you think of the Orenco Station's design? Do you want this neo-traditional approach for the peninsula of Halifax? ¶ 6:52 AM 1 comments
Portland, OR. Orenco Station, sets a high standard for urban infill
Johnson Street Townhomes, Orenco Station, Portland, Oregon
Sue Hoyt Street Properties, Mithun Architects
The flex/work space is on the lower level, living room is on the main and bedrooms on the top floor.
"Johnson Street Townhomes, an inviting new urban infill community located in the historic Pearl
District of Portland, OR. The project was designed to complement the scale of the [surrounding] neighbourhood. A "sense of place" was maintained while adding to the vibrancy and pedestrian activity of this [important] neighbourhood." Mithun Architects
Click to Enlarge
What do you think of the Orenco Station's design? Do you want this neo-traditional approach for the peninsula of Halifax? ¶ 6:52 AM 1 comments
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
VICTORIA TOWNHOMES
"Imagine a strip of these Seattle townhomes on Clyde Street"
"With a mix of classic forms and materials, as well as modern details, Victoria Townhomes represents an innovative solution to the demand for more housing density within Seattle.
The new buildings situated above two levels of underground parking match the existing character of the neighbourhood. The street presence is designed with a balance between resident privacy and an urban feel." - Mithun Architects
¶ 5:07 PM 0 comments
"Imagine a strip of these Seattle townhomes on Clyde Street"
"With a mix of classic forms and materials, as well as modern details, Victoria Townhomes represents an innovative solution to the demand for more housing density within Seattle.
The new buildings situated above two levels of underground parking match the existing character of the neighbourhood. The street presence is designed with a balance between resident privacy and an urban feel." - Mithun Architects
¶ 5:07 PM 0 comments
Sunday, February 05, 2006
IMAGINE IF...
pixelhead.com
Once every three years, The City of Halifax could grant occupancy of two artist live/work studios to Halifax-based, low-income professional artists for a non-renewable lease. The program would support professional artists by providing an extended term for them to concentrate on their creative process. It could be a combination of one year term studios at no-cost & additional studios at low cost.
Does our city have an invested interest in supporting local artist to live and work in central Halifax? I know of two Halifax artists who have had to relocate to rural studios for primarily financial reasons. How can we realize a studio program, is it in our best interest to promote artists living and working in our city?
I found the following satement from Jennifer Armstrong on Ricard Florida's web site www.creativeclass.org/ (Art has strong impact on community).
"What artists all have in common is an ability to make our community more vibrant an economically robust," Armstrong said. When artists get paid for work, many of those dollars will be cycled right back into the community, Armstrong said. If artists can make a living in our community, they are more likely to stay and live here, she said.
...Artists also help separate a community from others through innovation."Innovation comes from creativity," Armstrong said. "Communities without a high level of creative activity remain stagnant. Growth comes from creative activity. High levels of arts and entertainment draw residents, tourists, businesses and students. More people, more money, more development."
Check out Vancouver's Artist Studio Program as a possible model.
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/oca/Awards/artiststudio/ ¶ 6:42 AM 0 comments
pixelhead.com
Once every three years, The City of Halifax could grant occupancy of two artist live/work studios to Halifax-based, low-income professional artists for a non-renewable lease. The program would support professional artists by providing an extended term for them to concentrate on their creative process. It could be a combination of one year term studios at no-cost & additional studios at low cost.
Does our city have an invested interest in supporting local artist to live and work in central Halifax? I know of two Halifax artists who have had to relocate to rural studios for primarily financial reasons. How can we realize a studio program, is it in our best interest to promote artists living and working in our city?
I found the following satement from Jennifer Armstrong on Ricard Florida's web site www.creativeclass.org/ (Art has strong impact on community).
"What artists all have in common is an ability to make our community more vibrant an economically robust," Armstrong said. When artists get paid for work, many of those dollars will be cycled right back into the community, Armstrong said. If artists can make a living in our community, they are more likely to stay and live here, she said.
...Artists also help separate a community from others through innovation."Innovation comes from creativity," Armstrong said. "Communities without a high level of creative activity remain stagnant. Growth comes from creative activity. High levels of arts and entertainment draw residents, tourists, businesses and students. More people, more money, more development."
Check out Vancouver's Artist Studio Program as a possible model.
www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/commsvcs/oca/Awards/artiststudio/ ¶ 6:42 AM 0 comments
Friday, February 03, 2006
300,000 Square Feet
What does a 300,000 square foot law court look like? I looked on line and discovered the brand new Seattle Justice Center is exactly that square footage. Take a look at the pictures. Where would a similar building to this, work well in central Halifax?
G R E E N B U I L D I N G
One of the interesting thing that the City of Seattle now mandates is it's civic buildings be green and sustainable. Duncan Thieme from NBBJ explains, "Much of the effort that goes into the greening of a building is devoted to a series of thoughtful but small decisions. Characteristically, this means specifying equipment that is more energy-efficient than typical or looking for recycled alternatives to new building materials. Sometimes bigger steps are taken that have a more noticeable effect. For the Justice Center, a number of larger design decisions dramatically influenced the sustainability of the building".
Some considerations for the new Seattle Justice Center were.
1. Glazed thermal buffer
2. Planted roof
3. Water harvesting
Location: 600 Fifth Ave., Seattle
Size: 300,000 square feet ¶ 6:50 AM 2 comments
What does a 300,000 square foot law court look like? I looked on line and discovered the brand new Seattle Justice Center is exactly that square footage. Take a look at the pictures. Where would a similar building to this, work well in central Halifax?
G R E E N B U I L D I N G
One of the interesting thing that the City of Seattle now mandates is it's civic buildings be green and sustainable. Duncan Thieme from NBBJ explains, "Much of the effort that goes into the greening of a building is devoted to a series of thoughtful but small decisions. Characteristically, this means specifying equipment that is more energy-efficient than typical or looking for recycled alternatives to new building materials. Sometimes bigger steps are taken that have a more noticeable effect. For the Justice Center, a number of larger design decisions dramatically influenced the sustainability of the building".
Some considerations for the new Seattle Justice Center were.
1. Glazed thermal buffer
2. Planted roof
3. Water harvesting
Location: 600 Fifth Ave., Seattle
Size: 300,000 square feet ¶ 6:50 AM 2 comments
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Captain...We're breaking up !
Jane Jacobs from her classic work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities:
"When a city heart stagnates or disintegrates, a city as a social neighborhood of the whole begins to suffer: People who ought to get together, by means of central activities that are failing, fail to get together. Ideas and money that ought to meet, and do so often only by happenstance in a place of central vitality, fail to meet. The networks of city public life develop gaps they cannot afford. Without a strong and inclusive central heart, a city tends to become a collection of interests isolated from one another. It falters at producing something greater, socially, culturally and economically, than the sum of its separated parts."
Q: Are we turning the corner and starting to invest in the peninsula's infrastructure? In the recent past we would invest millions to widen the entrance to B.L.I.P, not once but four times and then discover, on the other hand the city would charge the Spring Garden Road Association $13,000 to close the street for two days & hold a festival for the city (a policy presently under review).
Don't get me wrong, I like the B.L.I.P.. I shop there and as a citizen I like the job opportunities it offers many. What I am wondering about is the investment in our cities heart. If Jane Jacob's is right, a strong vibrant city center is in the interest of all HRM's citizens including the businesses in the retail parks.
What do you think about the cities central area development?
How can we better invest in Halifax's peninsula ?
What would Jane Jacobs say? More importantly, what do you say?
Jane Jacobs on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs ¶ 2:23 PM 0 comments
Jane Jacobs from her classic work, The Death and Life of Great American Cities:
"When a city heart stagnates or disintegrates, a city as a social neighborhood of the whole begins to suffer: People who ought to get together, by means of central activities that are failing, fail to get together. Ideas and money that ought to meet, and do so often only by happenstance in a place of central vitality, fail to meet. The networks of city public life develop gaps they cannot afford. Without a strong and inclusive central heart, a city tends to become a collection of interests isolated from one another. It falters at producing something greater, socially, culturally and economically, than the sum of its separated parts."
Q: Are we turning the corner and starting to invest in the peninsula's infrastructure? In the recent past we would invest millions to widen the entrance to B.L.I.P, not once but four times and then discover, on the other hand the city would charge the Spring Garden Road Association $13,000 to close the street for two days & hold a festival for the city (a policy presently under review).
Don't get me wrong, I like the B.L.I.P.. I shop there and as a citizen I like the job opportunities it offers many. What I am wondering about is the investment in our cities heart. If Jane Jacob's is right, a strong vibrant city center is in the interest of all HRM's citizens including the businesses in the retail parks.
What do you think about the cities central area development?
How can we better invest in Halifax's peninsula ?
What would Jane Jacobs say? More importantly, what do you say?
Jane Jacobs on wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Jacobs ¶ 2:23 PM 0 comments
Lululemon on Spring Garden?
C.C. recently commented on wanting a better mix of quality retailers on Spring Garden Road. I loved her suggestion for Lululemon. They are a real Canadian success story. Check out their website:lululemon.com/ . I know it's very westcoast, but the clothes are so comfortable.
Does anybody have suggestions for other retailers on Spring Garden? ¶ 2:04 PM 1 comments
C.C. recently commented on wanting a better mix of quality retailers on Spring Garden Road. I loved her suggestion for Lululemon. They are a real Canadian success story. Check out their website:lululemon.com/ . I know it's very westcoast, but the clothes are so comfortable.
Does anybody have suggestions for other retailers on Spring Garden? ¶ 2:04 PM 1 comments
LAW COURT CONSIDERATIONS
The recently built Port Hawksbury Law Courts
1. Since Oklahoma City and 9/11 in the U.S., Canadian law courts are considered a potential target. They are therefore not allowed to have public underground parking because of a potential threat.
2. Also, law courts now have to have a set-back from the street, a certain distance, with passive barriers to prevent cars from getting to close to the building.
3. Law Courts are operational from 8AM - 5PM and closed on weekends. Holding cells are emptied at 5PM. The accused are transported in and out for the trials.
4. It has been the experience in other cities with law courts near residential communities, that many of the houses in close proximity to a new court get purchased by law firms and converted to offices (that are also empty past 5PM and weekends). ¶ 1:47 PM 0 comments
The recently built Port Hawksbury Law Courts
1. Since Oklahoma City and 9/11 in the U.S., Canadian law courts are considered a potential target. They are therefore not allowed to have public underground parking because of a potential threat.
2. Also, law courts now have to have a set-back from the street, a certain distance, with passive barriers to prevent cars from getting to close to the building.
3. Law Courts are operational from 8AM - 5PM and closed on weekends. Holding cells are emptied at 5PM. The accused are transported in and out for the trials.
4. It has been the experience in other cities with law courts near residential communities, that many of the houses in close proximity to a new court get purchased by law firms and converted to offices (that are also empty past 5PM and weekends). ¶ 1:47 PM 0 comments
Halifax vs. Vancouver?
Here's a fun link my friend Catherine sent me. Which city is better to live in?
www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=720a864a-d703-46c6-8896-69675c4bcba2&k=75999
Halifax's Clock Tower and Vancouver's historic Gastown District ¶ 1:39 PM 0 comments
Here's a fun link my friend Catherine sent me. Which city is better to live in?
www.canada.com/topics/travel/story.html?id=720a864a-d703-46c6-8896-69675c4bcba2&k=75999
Halifax's Clock Tower and Vancouver's historic Gastown District ¶ 1:39 PM 0 comments
WHAT THE ...ORANGE?
What does everyone think about the new renovation of Lawton's on Spring Garden Road?
I feel the exterior is extremely inappropriate for our cities historic main street. Could their designers not have shown some sensitivity to the area. I am disappointed at the lack of consideration a retail neighbour has shown for an urban area. When a person compares that loud screaming orange that Lawton's used to what Boots Pharmacy has done in the UK (see below), it makes you think that better options do exist.
Maybe the merchant's of Spring Garden Road and the City of Halifax should get together on specific exterior guidelines that local companies can use. When it comes to signage, I think that the new Pete's Frootique did it "more right" than Lawton's has.
Here are links for Lawton's, if you feel like calling and giving them your opinion:
www.lawtons.ca/EN/site/Content/CorporateInformation/contact.asp
or 902.468.1000
Boots Signage is designed by Wood & Wood Designs - follow the link:
http://www.wwdesign.com/clients/boots.html
¶ 1:02 PM 0 comments
What does everyone think about the new renovation of Lawton's on Spring Garden Road?
I feel the exterior is extremely inappropriate for our cities historic main street. Could their designers not have shown some sensitivity to the area. I am disappointed at the lack of consideration a retail neighbour has shown for an urban area. When a person compares that loud screaming orange that Lawton's used to what Boots Pharmacy has done in the UK (see below), it makes you think that better options do exist.
Maybe the merchant's of Spring Garden Road and the City of Halifax should get together on specific exterior guidelines that local companies can use. When it comes to signage, I think that the new Pete's Frootique did it "more right" than Lawton's has.
Here are links for Lawton's, if you feel like calling and giving them your opinion:
www.lawtons.ca/EN/site/Content/CorporateInformation/contact.asp
or 902.468.1000
Boots Signage is designed by Wood & Wood Designs - follow the link:
http://www.wwdesign.com/clients/boots.html
¶ 1:02 PM 0 comments
Monday, January 23, 2006
LAW COURTS
I was wondering what other cities are doing with law courts? Any body have examples of law courts, that are also good civic spaces? Please hit the comment button and let us all know.
In particular I am trying to find pictures of the law courts in Port Coquitlam, BC. Having visited this building, I can honestly say it is well done. If I get any pictures or plans I will post them.
In my wondering around I came upon the following examples. The first one, from Missisipi is similar to the square footage of the law courts that the Province of Nova Scotia is wanting to build somewhere in the HRM.
Dan M Russell Jr. Law Courts in Gulfport, Miss.
Kliment & Halsband Architects www.kliment-halsband.com/
Commonwealth Law Courts in Melbourne, Aus
Hassell Pty. Ltd. Architects www.abc.net.au/arts/architecture/interact/tours/court.htm
Calgary Courts Centre (will be the largest law courts in the world)
Charles Ott Architect www.carlosott.com/calgaryCourtHouse.htm
¶ 4:48 PM 0 comments
I was wondering what other cities are doing with law courts? Any body have examples of law courts, that are also good civic spaces? Please hit the comment button and let us all know.
In particular I am trying to find pictures of the law courts in Port Coquitlam, BC. Having visited this building, I can honestly say it is well done. If I get any pictures or plans I will post them.
In my wondering around I came upon the following examples. The first one, from Missisipi is similar to the square footage of the law courts that the Province of Nova Scotia is wanting to build somewhere in the HRM.
Dan M Russell Jr. Law Courts in Gulfport, Miss.
Kliment & Halsband Architects www.kliment-halsband.com/
Commonwealth Law Courts in Melbourne, Aus
Hassell Pty. Ltd. Architects www.abc.net.au/arts/architecture/interact/tours/court.htm
Calgary Courts Centre (will be the largest law courts in the world)
Charles Ott Architect www.carlosott.com/calgaryCourtHouse.htm
¶ 4:48 PM 0 comments
