Reimagining Ottawa’s architecture

[bless-u]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I don't mind the height restrictions in the CBD, but I would like to see a few more buildings in the 30-35 around the Rideau Centre area.

Le Breton Flats is the ideal spot to build taller, maybe up to 600 feet, IMO.

I understand you perfectly from the design point of view. Some like to see a great variety in building design with different height, forms and proportions in an urban environment; some like to see more architectural experimentation just to spite things up a little, much like what is happening in cities like Dubai and Shanghai, or even Toronto for that matter, where the sky is the limit, literally.

But for Ottawa, I personally find the low profile cityscape quite charming and refreshing. Combining with the relatively small city blocks, it is very manageable, enjoyable, relaxed and spacious. It works perfectly with some of the shorter traditional buildings in town. They are not competing with each other. There are gentle dialogues between the old and the new architecture in a peaceful coexistence. It is not an easy thing to maintain, and it doesn't work for every city, but it works well here.

[silvergate]

Not physical architecture, but moving forward digital architecture is becoming just as important. Estonia is now running most of their government digitally.
http://opendatastoriesottawa.ca/our-digital-future/

Full disclaimer: I just started this blog #shamelessselfpromotion

[bless-u]

Originally Posted by silvergate

Not physical architecture, but moving forward digital architecture is becoming just as important. Estonia is now running most of their government digitally.
http://opendatastoriesottawa.ca/our-digital-future/

Full disclaimer: I just started this blog #shamelessselfpromotion

I read an article somewhere about a company in Ottawa trying to develop a program to replace all physical forms of identification like driver's license in Ontario. It is something quite similar to this.

My concern is that a lot of these hi-tech developments are focusing on making the end users' lives more convenient, but not enough on the protection of the personal information those users have given up in order to enjoy that convenience. News of massive hacking, devious exploits of personal information and information leaks come almost regularly. The latest round named Spectre and Meltdown can't even be fixed properly without redesigning the processor. So where does it leave us?

[silvergate]

Originally Posted by bless-u

I read an article somewhere about a company in Ottawa trying to develop a program to replace all physical forms of identification like driver's license in Ontario. It is something quite similar to this.

My concern is that a lot of these hi-tech developments are focusing on making the end users' lives more convenient, but not enough on the protection of the personal information those users have given up in order to enjoy that convenience. News of massive hacking, devious exploits of personal information and information leaks come almost regularly. The latest round named Spectre and Meltdown can't even be fixed properly without redesigning the processor. So where does it leave us?

In the case of Estonia, they are using some pretty heavy encryption, and when researchers found a potential flaw in the system, they stopped users from accessing it while they upgraded the protection.

Identity theft remains a huge problem in Canada, so as long as the system creator is willing to continue investing in security, it will leave the user at the same (or lower) level of risk.

[kevinbottawa]

Originally Posted by silvergate

Not physical architecture, but moving forward digital architecture is becoming just as important. Estonia is now running most of their government digitally.
http://opendatastoriesottawa.ca/our-digital-future/

Full disclaimer: I just started this blog #shamelessselfpromotion

Good job on the blog! Congrats on getting started.

[silvergate]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

Good job on the blog! Congrats on getting started.

Thank you!

[J.OT13]

This on the Alterna or Calridge parking lot off Lyon.

Originally Posted by Urbmtl

HUMANITI Montréal - 120m - U/C - Hotel, condos, office

http://www.humanitimontreal.com/en

[Norman Bates]

Make it so!

[Harley613]

That's a gorgeous project. I just read up on it. Too bad it wouldn't fly in our CBD since it's not 23 or 27 stories :p

[acottawa]

Tongue in cheek, obviously.

Paris baulks at 'horrible' eco-friendly public urinals http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45174382

[McC]

Vertical forest: tree-clad tower would be a first in Canada

The proposed Designers Walk building in Toronto will feature more than 450 trees - not in potted plants, but like a hillside, with the building acting as a host, architect Brian Brisbin says

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/busi...medium=twitter

[Urbanarchit]

Central Park Apartments, Songdo Korea
Google Maps Link

I was watching a video about an apartment tour in South Korea, and I really liked the look of the building. I linked the video below. I like the alternating curves up this apartment building. There don't seem to be any balconies, which is alright. I think it could work well at Lebreton Flats or even on Catherine Street.



• Video Link

I also liked this building in Riga, Latvia by Didrihsons arhitekti, though I'd change the stone facade to a dark brick. It's 6 storeys and could go anywhere.



This one is by Studio One Eleven in LA. I imagine it could be built near an LRT station (like Westboro).

[J.OT13]

The Latvia building could fit well in the Market.

[Urbanarchit]

I'd like to see something like UofT's PIE Complex somewhere. It's 13 storeys, and despite it's simple geometry, looks like it could be quite good and different for Ottawa.

[silvergate]

Interesting article on wood frame construction in the US - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/featu...-look-the-same

[waterloowarrior]

Wallace Walk is one of my favourite developments in Toronto, near Bloor GO station. Much more attractive to families than towers and faster to build. There is a small community centre, retail near the GO Station, and back to back stacked towns with underground parking. Hopefully will see some similar developments near the new LRT stations.

https://goo.gl/maps/vXV2MXoRG5GVEdvj8

https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/thread....18680/page-24

[J.OT13]

That's pretty nice. I would like to see more developments like this in the suburbs.

Seems like a good model for that missing middle.

[OTownandDown]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Wallace Walk is one of my favourite developments in Toronto, near Bloor GO station. Much more attractive to families than towers and faster to build. There is a small community centre, retail near the GO Station, and back to back stacked towns with underground parking. Hopefully will see some similar developments near the new LRT stations.

THIS is my point about the St. Paul's development. This is what should have been built, rather than a driving road and a parking road in the front and back of each residence.

[Urbanarchit]

This is the 83 River Street in Toronto. It's 34 floors. I could see it around Westboro Station in place of one of the RLA buildings proposed.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

That's pretty nice. I would like to see more developments like this in the suburbs.

Seems like a good model for that missing middle.

Not just in the suburbs. Why can't we promote more redevelopment like this in our cities?