UNI TREE.2017 | Jacobabbey.design

JACOB ABBEY

UNI-TREE GATEWAY - 2018

Uni-tree gateway is part of a larger master plan for a redesign of the Curry Place area at the University of Manitoba. The master plan was a collaboration between four Environmental Design students; Jacob Abbey, Yujia Fan, Anna Jones, and Michael Nelson. Each of us chose a section to design in further detail, the result of my selection being Uni-tree Gateway, a new entrance to the University of Manitoba campus.

CAMPUS ENTRANCE

INQUIRY

Environmental Design: Landscape and Urbanism student were put into groups and tasked with researching the design of the University of Manitoba campus. Through external research and physical study students were to learn about the University's history and pinpoint 28 specific design concepts used during its development. After identifying these concepts the groups were to determine where provided a precinct of campus in which they were to make improvements. These improvements were to incorporate the growing tunnel system on campus. After the design of a master plan, students would move on separately to greater realize sections of the design.

GROUP RESEARCH

JACOB ABBEY - YUJIA FAN - ANNA JONES - MICHAEL NELSON

The University of Manitoba began with clear direction for development. It is clear from historic plans of the university that the campus was originally designed on a grid, with a strong axis pointing directly to the administration building. However over time this vision faded away; slowly buildings began to spring up haphazardly. It would seem that sometime in the post war era, the grid was abandoned, and buildings were being placed wherever there was space (see 1914 figure ground versus 1961). This additive approach has left the campus in a state of confusion, often leaving campus visitors lost.

After studying the campus as a whole, we set forth to study our given precinct, which included the Engineering building, the Architecture buildings, the Active Living Centre, and Curry Place extending to University crescent. This large section of campus gave us much to look at, such as circulation, wind, vegetation, and shadow, however our primary area of study was the tunnel system. In our research we realized a clear disparity in tunnel quality as you pass through different faculties. This disparity is most clear as one moves from the Architecture II building, to the John A. Russell building, and into the Faculty of Engineering. Below a collage can be found explaining the inequality in detail. In summary, the faculty of Architecture's tunnels are cramped, dark, and run down, while Engineering's are brightly lit and spacious.

GROUP RESEARCH PRESENTATION BOARDS

GROUP MODEL

In order to aid in design and site understanding, we constructed a physical model of our precinct. The model featured removable buildings that reveal the layout of the tunnel below. It was cut into eight segments in an attempt to show the varying topography. In order to show the topography and tunnels accurately, a C&C router carved into laminated birch plywood.

MODEL GALLERY

GROUP MASTER PLAN

JACOB ABBEY - YUJIA FAN - ANNA JONES - MICHAEL NELSON

The master plan was designed with the goal in mind to reunify the Students and Faculty of the University of Manitoba. Through a revival of the axial nature of campus and overall naturalization of the precinct, a sense of unity and comfort is to be restored to the campus. By reunifying the segmented design of campus and creating pleasant gathering spaces this goal would be achieved.

MASTER PLAN PRESENTATION BOARD

The master plan can be summarized with three major design moves:

The Naturalization of Curry Place
The Emphasis and Emboldening of the Axis/Grid via the relocation of buildings
A new Gathering space in the form of a Bus Mall

The present Curry Place design has been completely removed in favour of a park-like natural setting. Large trees shelter pedestrians from the cold winds and harsh sunlight as they navigate from University Crescent to the campus core. Surrounding the main axial walkway are pocketed spaces of various use, from lunch areas to large clearings for gatherings and sunbathing. In an attempt to stimulate natural activity on campus, a strategy of pollination centres will be deployed throughout the precinct.

The main axis of the University that runs down Bison drive, though Curry Place, and to the Administration building has been emboldened. Currently at the head of Bison Drive sits the Extended Education building, a sunken classroom structure that pedestrians must walk up and over to get to the campus core. This building has been relocated to the Education Building parking lot on the northern rim of the precinct. Running east/west from the Engineering building to the Active Living Centre, exists a criminally underused axis. A perfectly framed view exists from one end to the other. This axis will be utilized to its fullest as a main pedestrian corridor. As one walks west, one will be slowly submerged in nature; a gradient from building mass, to garden, to forest.

A new bus mall along Dafoe Road provides store front for the campus, while also providing people a space to await their bus in comfort. A convenient waiting area with indoor and outdoor options draws people from the surrounding area towards this new hub. Potential connection to the pedestrian tunnel system would further exaggerate this convenience. A scenic plaza sits to the west of the mall providing an outdoor gathering and waiting space. In order to offset the loss of overall parking space in this master plan, the bus mall would feature an underground parking facility.

INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT

Upon completion of the master plan phase, the group diverged into individual design. For my portion of the project, I chose the new entrance to the campus precinct. This portion intrigued me because of its opportunity as a blank slate, for an entire building would be torn down to accommodate it. I saw the site as a missed opportunity for an easy pick up and drop off location, something the U of M sorely lacks.

The site would become the centre of university circulation. In order to achieve this goal, the design would need to maximize convenience and accessibility. Easy tunnel access would be key to boosting site use. I broke the site into a grid as a call back to the original layout of the campus and got to work laying out the design.

GRID DESIGN SKETCH

INDIVIDUAL DESIGN

UNI-TREE GATEWAY

GATEWAY SECTION

Uni-tree Gateway is a brand new entrance to the University of Manitoba. Where there was once a stairway to nothing, there is now a grand arch foreshadowing the historic Administration building. The traffic lights at University Crescent and Bison Drive have been replaced by a traffic circle and drop off zone. A shifting metallic mural adorns the southern wall of the site, striking awe into the visitor as it waves appear as the wind blows. This new gateway for the University of Manitoba will facilitate a better sense of place on campus, for what is a house without a front door. Directly behind a glass pane threshold stands mighty trees inviting the visitor to explore the alley that leads to the campus core.

The layout of the site was decided by a 12’ by 12’ grid. This was in reference to the strong presence of the grid in the original layout of the University. The axis running down Bison Drive through Curry Place to the Administration building is redefined, as the removal of extended education allows for a re emphasis on this lost frame

A new car drop off point is implemented at the Bison Drive University Crescent intersection. This new point of interest brings people into the previously underutilized space. With tunnel entrances on both the north and south of the site, pedestrians are invited to explore the space.

DESCRIPTION

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Located just adjacent to the traffic circle is a new convenient passenger drop off point (1). As one approaches the drop off point, the Administration building is ever present. Framed by the trees, axis, and archway, the view reminds the visitor of the rich history of the university. To contrast the regal presence of the Administration building, a magnificent feature adorns the wall of the Active Living Centre (1). A shimmering metal wind wall featuring the University of Manitoba create and a gold to silver gradient. Specialist Ned Khan would be commissioned to develop this feature. Little Blue Stem Grass blows at the base of the wall to keep hands off and provide a golden shimmer in the fall.

On the north side of the axis lays a descending terraced garden (2). On the far west of the terrace garden is a water feature wall to add atmosphere and further filter the sound of University Crescent. Russian Olive trees sporting silver leaves are planted exclusively in this area. These trees provide a light shade and pleasant aroma. At the bottom of the descent awaits an entrance to the tunnel system. A silver willow tree located in a stand alone grove is view able from old Curry Place (3). Standing in the middle of a small clearing, the willow creates a landmark. The choice of silver willow references the willow trees formerly adorning the JAR lawn. The site is populated by trees laid out on the grid, the largest of which shelter the axial walkway giving the visitor a scenic alley as they enter the campus.