THE GARDEN
ADDING A FEATURE
As a flat site, with no discernible feature or direction, a feature needs to be added to create a purpose for the area.
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Poor soil quality also means that in order to grow plants, planting boxes need to be developed above ground.
figure ground
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The massings of the buildings split the site into two areas.
Drawing on the shape of the underdeveloped area can add a formative relatability to the feature and the buildings.
circulatory routes
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Entry, exit and travel paths go around the edge of the site. This leaves space in the middle to develop.
WHERE TO PUT IT?
In deciding where and how to develop a form for the feature, we can look at two things:
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figure ground space
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circulatory routes
GENERATING FORM
By taking the points from figure ground and circulation, we can map out a rough zone for a form to develop.
From this, we have an area in which to place the planters and seating. As the planters need to be raised, it can be assumed that this zone will be raised into a three dimensional aspect.
At a fundamental level, the feature is triangular, lending itself to three planters with seating.
combining principles to form
three points, three planters
LE BANC DU NEIGE, QUEBEC
A good example to follow in developing the feature is 'Le Banc du Neige', which was designed by Atelier Pierre Thibault. It was a temporary installation for a public space, aiming to reflect the snowbanks that build up in winter.
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The installation aimed to 'modify users relation to take public space by allowing a multitude of appropriations'. I.e, make a flat space more interesting for public use, much like the aim the garden feature is trying to achieve.
CIRCULATION
The large bay creates a central gathering or holding point. This creates a dynamic around the installation of travel and destination.
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The curved design can help refine circulation around the site and break the grid layout of the buildings.
LEVELS
The installation has differing raised levels to encourage seating and to divide different areas from each other.
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This can be used to created planting boxes and different levels of engagement.
PLANT AND GATHER
The feature is split into planting zones and seating, with the primary focus landing on the planters. Hence the seating should be designed around the planters.
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The rough zone in its most basic shape is triangular. This lends itself to deciding on three main planting boxes. The seating can be wrapped around this.
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Further refining the seating layout to better fit the planters and surrounding buildings creates a more definitive shape, and a 'gathering bay' on one side, much like 'Le Banc du Neige'.
PLANTS AND SEATS IN SECTION
As the platform and seating is raised, the heights of the step ups need to be determined.
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A person sits at roughly 450mm, so this is a sensible change in level which allows for seating anywhere on the installation, and enough depth to grow plants.
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Planters will be surrounded by seating for ease of use, and protection from adverse weather.
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It also creates an amphitheatre, where the plants are the main focus, with a surrounding spectating audience.
Selected images taken from: www.archdaily.com/804476/le-banc-de-neige-atelier-pierre-thibault
Credit and Copyright of Maxime Broulliet.