Carleton Square: densifying Carleton Heights, Ottawa (Studio.4)

Nominated for the Hobin Architecture Prize by Professor Benjamin Gianni

Densification of Carleton Heights neighbourhood in Ottawa

The site design focuses mid and high-rise buildings towards busy Fisher Ave, and gradates to townhouses as the development blends in with the existing low-rise neighbourhood to the west. The site pulls the park space through to Meadowlands Drive. The neighbourhood is very porous to foot and cycle traffic along these green paths. There is a community centre with a pool, fitness centre, and cafe, which invites people into the site and the neighbourhood park space.

Site planning

The main axis through the community is a woonerf with limited car traffic, encouraging people to engage with the streetscape in front of their homes. This sense of ownership over the street creates a strong community. The park space creates a shared yard for the neighbourhood.

Renderings

The three storey townhouse podium presents a much more approachable human scale elevation facing the park. The material choice delineates the separation of the townhouses and the tower. Brick for the human scale townhouses, and window wall assembly for the main body of the tower. The waterjet cut steel balcony guards and wood soffit detail create a pleasing look to slim the bulk of the tower. The tower is mainly 1 and 2 bedroom units targeting the largest market, but also offers various sizes on each floor, creating a diversity of demographics throughout the tower, and encouraging interaction in the common spaces.

Plans