BRIDGING

ANNA GUAN, JUDY LIU AND DANIA SHAHAB

Each person defines living differently and prefers one over another. The different modes of living present on-site create an opportunity to build a connection between the demographics and site.

Hence, our critical stance challenges the capitalists' idea of traditional housing and the assumptions, that come with it. Our mission is to enhance the site's physical, social, and environmental connections through implementing interactive public spaces and a new mode of living. Re-envisioning the space into a place of destination welcomes people to rest, gather, and stay, which will re-activate the underdeveloped site. By building communities and breaking down the existing social barriers, the character and identity of the site will be redefined by the users and the activities.

By imagining the future with driverless cars that maximizes mobile efficiency, allows the existing bridge to be repurposed and be given back to the public. The intervention includes an urban living room, mixed use service area, enclosure of the existing bridge to create an eventful public space for all seasons, an extended public pathway that connects to the docks, living pods attached to the bridge and activators distributed throughout the site. The revenue of the living pods and activators will generate donation for the rehab drop in and is for the economic maintenance of the site. The entire system will further use natural energy to sustain itself.

Using the same formal and material language, small activator programs are implemented to create interactive moments around the site.

The project bridges the site and surrounding area through multiple of entrances. The unique landscape design elements attract people to the site, which activates underdeveloped space. Overall the project creates connection between communities, people and environment.

The massing of the pods was inspired by the triangulation of the trusses on the bridge and the essence of living in a house or camping within a tent. Through the techniques of extrusion, shifting and fracturing create the resulting form of the living pods.

There are four different types of pods, two lower and two uppers, some consist of loft units with separate sleeping areas. These living pods are constructed with steel frame panelized with glass, wood and charred wood to allows for transparency and opacity creating views and privacy. Charred wood is used for its durability, fire resistance and hygienic properties as it prevents bacteria and pests. Wood is contrasted to add a warm and inviting feeling. These living pods will promote an alternative mode of compact living that will be furnished with a convertible bed and desk.

This render showcases the feeling and experience within the living pods and the views provided of the bow river and the city. The pods are designed to maximize natural heating and cooling, while also enhancing the views and connection to nature. The living pods are operable as shown to create small and larger openings.

The facility pods include storage and washroom. Materiality is used to easily distinguish the functionality between pods. The storage is mostly comprised of wood and washroom pods of char wood. The washroom consists of a sink that can be converted to a shower as the sink is mobile and can be lifted.

This diagram shows the two types of clusters that will be placed on the bridge. The lower units are located on the ground and staggered to create more private entrances. The pods are accessed on both sides of the clusters and the top units are entered through bottom by stairs which are integrated on the roof of the lower unit.

The exploded axo shows the way the pods can be prefabricated and connected on site. Each cluster includes one shared storage and one washroom

The little library and community kitchen and pantry operate by folding open and will have integrated seating through its form and is accessible on both sides. Furthermore, the Community Kitchen and pantry provides a culinary experience by transforming into a small kitchen when completely open

The interface between the bridge and the living pods which create an alley experience on the existing sidewalk through the use of materials and the activity going on inside and outside. The materials on the pods are reflected onto the bridge in the operable windows which provide shading in this area and ventilation of the greenhouse. Applying the wood on the bridge's enclosure also adds a layer of privacy for the pods.

The living pods on the bridge maximizes the views of the city and the river, and the extended platform will provide gathering and communal spaces to compliment the experience of the individual living pods.

ENTRANCE

The bridge becomes a destination point instead of just a method of circulation.
DROP OFF AREA

By implementing pedestrian crosswalk with similar form, it generates a greater sense of walkability for the area, and provides a welcoming transition and further connections to the site.
SERVICE AREA

Here also include recreational programs such as outdoor activities equipment rental shop and a cafe, to offer business opportunity and attraction to the site. The facade also following a similar architectural language, to activate the under-bridge area and to create a welcoming connection for the users coming from East Village.
COMMUNITY GARDEN

The Terrance offers a public lounging space and a community garden. By creating an inviting and comfortable environment around the rehab center, hopes will de-stigmatize the existing social barrier and dignify the space.
BRIDGELAND CONNECTION

The Bridgeland walkway runs above the memorial drive, to provide higher efficiency to traffic and a more walkable environment to the pedestrian. The Riverfront ave drop-off area implements electromagnetic floor panels that generate power from foot and car traffic to sustain the site energy use. Activators like information display and little libraries are placed at every entrance of the site to offer service and information.
RIVERBANK DOCKS

The Rafting dock under the bridge is designed for recreational activities such as rafting, fishing, paddle boarding and more. Riverbank platform mitigates erosion and provides a more direct and safe connection to the water.