ARCHITECTURE GRADUATE
LOOP(s)
Special Studio Topics in Architecture 2022
Civic Commons Catalyst: City of Medicine Hat
Instructors - Alberto de Salvatierra, Dan Hapton
Collaborators - Jeff Moore, Maru Kim
Location - Medicine Hat, AB
Software - Rhino, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, Illustrator, Photoshop, V-Ray
The North Railway District represents a significant opportunity for the city of Medicine Hat, although it currently exists within a set of incomplete and fragmented systems. During this studio, students worked on devloping ideas, in collaboration with The City of Medicine Hat, that would promote vibrancy and revitilization in the district and it’s surrounding areas.
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Our desire was to see the North Railway District behave successfully as an active part within a larger symbiotic and infrastructural system. By creating a link to surrounding ecosystems, as well as proposed and existing infrastructure, a diverse experience is developed, allowing the pride of Medicine Hat to be accessible to both visitors and locals.
TOURISM LOOPS
The north portion of the site acts as a node for three loops which focus of the river, heritage buildings, and downtown core.
LOOP
EXISTING BARRIERS
PROPOSED CONNECTIONS
RAISED LOOP
DISTRICT NODES
ECOLOGIES
PLAN - ECOLOGIES
SECTION - ECOLOGIES
SECTION - BIODIVERSITY
With a focus on showcasing the ecological context that Medicine Hat has to offer, the North Railway District is designed to be broken up into the five identified common ecologies. These consist of grasslands, valleys, rivers, forests, and bluffs.
GRASSLANDS
Designed to provide space for larger events, utilizing the flat topography and natural winds
VALLEYS
Provides refuge from the stronger winds by lowering the public realm and raising the outer banks
VALLEYS - WINTER
Provides refuge from the stronger winds by lowering the public realm and raising the outer banks
RIVERS
Cools the public realm as wind flows over bodies of water
FOREST
Provides protected clearings for a comfortable park experience
BLUFFS
Carves out spaces for multiple functions while utilizing the warm summer winds
ELEVATED WALKWAYS
CENTRAL FRAMING
SITE MODEL