T. Dettori, M. Dore, E. Meleddu, D. Ruiu, D. Secchi
The research and design project initially identified boundaries, which divides the rural landscape and the urban settlements. These boundaries define “islands” which structure Rimouski’s territory.
The conceptual analysis explored the definition of “boundary”. Its reinterpretation reveals the complexity of the territorial landscapes, notably in contrast with the apparently homogeneous and monotonous scenes from the main national road.
In this regard, the boundary becomes the transition that reveals the diversity of the landscape, urban, rural or maritime of the area. At the same time, the boundary connects the different islands.
The proposal focuses on the two conceptual islands; one in Le Bic village and the other in Rimouski suburban fringe. Between these areas, two paths connect them between several rural islands. Both relate to specific natural features. The first follows the coastline, the second deals with the escarpment that split the territory in plateaus.
The selection of these two “islands” intended to address two key issues along the theme of nature and settlements at the boundaries:
- How to deal between suburban development patterns and natural topography?
- How to structure a connection and transition between Le Bic village centre and the national park?
The two proposals explore different design options as answers to these questions
Le Bic
Three main “islands” constituted Le Bic area; a national Natural Park by the river, a small settlements, and the surrounding agricultural area.
The boundaries are transition areas between the main landscape's element and they are for us potential design spaces useful to think about the relationship between the different landscape and as a way to emphasize the complexity and richness of landscape.
The project decided to challenge this current function. These sites were explored for their potential for opening new relationships between the different landscape units. The intermediate position recognizes a situational landmarks quality that could emphasize the complexity and richness of the landscape features and differences.
The overall proposal takes into account different scale of design.
The sections highlight the landscape’s topography. It shows the border as a space between various individual systems: the natural area (park), the urban system, the agricultural area and the Saint Lawrence river.
At this other scale (5.000) the high potential of this boundary lines in its specific location between Le Bic settlement, the natural area (Le Bic Park) and an agricultural landscape. As you can see large silos become landmarks of the agricultural system, a theatre provide a link to the settlement, and the river is part of the natural system. A railway line and the main road also divide this boundary.
The sketch illustrates this area in between and connecting, the settlement, the river, the park and agricultural system
It reveals a "tension" between the land use, the landmarks and the urban system. The design proposal works the space of the boundary area, turning it in an urban park, connecting the settlement to the natural landmark.
- At the urban scale (2.000) the proposal develops an new urban extension. The intensity increases when closer to the settlement, and more elusive when reaching towards the park. This new neighbourhood integrates single-family homes, service areas and public spaces. The urban structure follows the main existing axis of the settlement.
A tower and a pedestrian bridge mark the passage of the main pedestrian route on the riverbank.
The local scale (1000-200) explores the design layout of the neighbourhood and the houses. The houses develop the concept of boundary looking toward the river, facing the north-east, to defend themselves from cold winds, and remain open toward south-west. We explore three alternative home designs, one of three, two and one bedroom.
The housing concept includes a living room, a kitchen, a washroom, an open space for a vehicle and storage (included in the garage). The gabled roof provides shade in the living room creating a double-height for exceptional natural light.
The garage entrance is the only extension on the side exposed to north east winds. The exposed south-west side is open. The main construction material is wood, but it includes a concrete foundation for a technical space. The roof’s loft shelters a technical space. The house is disconnected from the ground on posts and beams foundation.
The main pedestrian path, through the urban park, meets the new neighbourhood and reach Le Bic national Park, with a new pedestrian bridge above the main road. This light bridge integrates an information centre, a bookshop and a café before leading to the riverfront and the national park.
The bridge connects the new housing development at the golf course and is the gateway to the park. It consists of two buildings, one at either end, one designed as a bookshop, the other as a bar / restaurant. The structure consists of a Vierendeel girder at a center distance of 2.5m, which the module defines the space inside and outside. The facade is composed brisoleil that has a length that varies from half of the module defined interaxis up to 3 and the slats that make them up have a variable rate in order to achieve different tricks of light and observation points of the landscape while crossing the path suspended. Finally, the roof has some openings to penetrate the overhead light. The buildings have basement or crawlspaces that can be used for technical and / or storage.
Rimouski’s hills
Islands
The second proposal is at Rimouski’s suburban fringe. The boundary area is defined by unbuilt land dividing the city. These boundaries create “islands” of urban and suburban neighbourhoods.
Boundary
These boundaries are natural ones. The topography defines escarpments left untouched while the hydrography cuts the flat land. Both natural accidents stop the growth of suburban patterns.
Sections
The variety of natural and artificial morphology and land use define the different dimensions of the edge. These elements require to define the different levels of permeability.
Design Strategy
The design concept explores how to define a porous urban edge in relation to the surrounding natural environment. It defines the strong limit of urban development and redraws the relationship with the agricultural system, the hydrographic network and wooden areas. Alternatively, the proposal tests how to invade the urban grid by finding a network of potential new public spaces. The network opens transversal and longitudinal patches across the city, that lead to the two main rivers.
Masterplan
The Boundary becomes a linear park connecting the residential islands with the natural environment. The eastern area is more urban and include several services for the city while the western part is more natural.
Views
The design transition occurs in the definition of the main and micro accesses developed by the relationship between the urban patterns and the green network system. The main entrances are framed with an architectural structure marking the interface with the park. Smaller entrances are provided in order to increase the permeability between the public and private spaces.
Focus
A detail focuses was on the southern edge of the city, which is the access point to highest level connection identified in the territorial strategy.
The project develops a new definition of the urban boundary through the implementation of a filter settlement between the urban system and the park.
The space is designed as a sequence of private homes, private green spaces and public parks following the morphology of the territory.
The new district proposes an alternative model to the traditional Rimouski’s settlement, based on the family home, in which the houses are apartments inserted in complexes 1 or 2 levels tall, directly related with private and public green spaces.
The project realizes, in the main access points a sequence of landmark buildings, that mark the entrance to the park.
Edificio
The building is designed as a parallel element to the access way to the park.
In the first part that faces the street there is a 3 floors tower which has the function to underline the presence of the park.
The buildings are composed of a series of 8x8 square modules that create different types of apartments alternate with private courtyards. The smallest apartments may be for 1 or two people, while the biggest may be for family.
Viste
The last perspectives illustrate the wood houses, a regional traditional material. The facades show a geometrical patterns made of different for colour that break the simplicity of the volumes. These elements accentuate the verticality of the first part.
