Stratford Cooper SiteDesign Proposal

Almeida x El-Shayeb x Lee x Rong x Stokke

1 Introduction & Design Brief 2 Goals & Objectives 4 Constraints 5 Precedence 7 Concept10 Site Plan12 Engineering Plan14 Planting Plan16 Summary17 Reference

Contents

“it is our opinion that this site is of heritage value and worthy of preservation or

commemoration”-Goldsmith Borgal & Co., 2012

Introduction & Design Brief

This report has been prepared by a group of students in collaboration with the University of Waterloo’s School of Planning for the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. It outlines a plan for the adaptive reuse of the historic Stratford Cooper Site that has been prepared between September and December of 2014.

The plan aims to realize the site’s potential as a pedestrian destination, while also preserving its heritage to recognize its historic significance to the city of Stratford. A tertiary aim of the plan is to better incorporate the site with its natural environment, thereby contrasting its previously industrial nature.

The plan proposes to restore as much of the original building on site as possible,

repurposing materials (e.g. steel beams) which are not suitable to be used during construction for gateway features, seating and the like.

The report will introduce the goals and objectives, constraints, precedence, and design concept of the proposal at hand.

-December 2014

Introduction & Design Brief // 1

Adam Lee - 20458480 Brandon Almeida - 20462085 Hadi El-Shayeb - 20472448

Harrison Rong - 20474715 Samantha Stokke - 20436783

Goals & Objectives

The primary goal for this vision of the Stratford Cooper site is to maintain the heritage of the site in such a way that is both economically and socially sustainable while improving the connectivity of the site to the downtown core and providing a unique pedestrian experience.

This is to be achieved through the creation of several objectives:

1. Heritage Preservation

There is a strong desire among the authors to preserve and/or restore the original façade of the building, wherever possible. It is acknowledged that the complete preservation of the building may not be fiscally feasible, in response to which it has been proposed that such areas be designed and built to reflect their original appearance as closely as possible (MGP, 2012)

It is further proposed that any of the original beam structure that must be replaced be reused on the site - for uses such as gateway features at the entrances of the site to improve the visibility and character of the site. To combine these measures with interactive educational features, with respect to the historical value of the site, would provide the newly designed site with an exuberant sense of its heritage.

2. Economic Sustainability

By planning for the predominantly commercial (office and retail) use of the site, this proposal aims to supplement the local economy in Stratford, providing new jobs and inciting spending. This objective also aims to ensure that the site will continue to be used well into the future, thereby avoid the perpetual state of vacancy it has been in since 1989 (MGP, 2012).

These uses will also be able to support the maintenance costs of the building, ensuring a level of upkeep that has not always been present on the site.

3. Social Sustainability

Another important aim of the proposal is to design the site in such a way that Stratford residents feel attached to it. If they feel some kind of ownership of the site, it is highly likely that the uses within the site will be much more successful and that the site in general will become a destination, for both residents and visitors.

This is again aimed at ensuring the future use of the site does not degrade - the Cooper Site played such an important role in Stratford’s growth that it should be a key aim to keep it around as long as possible.

2 // Goals & Objectives

4. Downtown Connectivity

One of the current weaknesses of the site is its seeming disconnect from Stratford’s downtown core, to which it is adjacent. The site faces the back of many of the buildings in this downtown, and acts more as a barrier to it than an extension of it.

In order to address this, it is proposed that Cooper Street be extended onto St. David Street so that residents living behind the site will be able to walk through it to access the downtown core. It is predicted that this usage of Cooper Street will lend itself well to, at the very least, cursory use of the site from those who might not normally use it.

5. Pedestrian Experience

The diverging and converging set of paths provided throughout the landscape aim to increase the overall walkability of the downtown core by providing both direct and indirect paths across the site to create a visually and physically interesting experience.

It is hoped that these paths will provide better access to desired parts of the community and inspire residents to walk more, both serving to reduce the automobile dependency of Stratford.

Goals & Objectives // 3

Constraints

Any candidate for adaptive reuse, will feature inherent difficulties in redeveloping the site with minimal destruction, and the Cooper Site is no exception to this. Some of these constraints have been briefly discussed earlier in this report, but will be examined in more detail below.

1. Visibility

As it currently stands, the site is physically separated from Stratford’s downtown core. Facing the backs of many of the downtown’s buildings and being located behind facilities owned by the University of Waterloo and the YMCA, the site is to some extent hidden from the view and access of residents in the downtown area.

In order to address this, it is proposed that the site include iconic gateway features at all entrances which visually describe the nature of the site. These could be constructed from repurposed steel support beams which are taken from the structurally weak areas of the building currently on site.

2. Contamination

Certain parts of the existing concrete on site could expose contaminated soils if destroyed in construction, potentially raising costs by requiring additional environmental assessments to be undertaken on the site.

In order to address this, the proposed landscape is built at varying elevations throughout the site; acting to subtly hide areas where higher elevations are needed to build over existing features.

3. Light/Noise Pollution

Considering the nature of the proposed commercial uses and the fact that the site abuts a residential neighbourhood, noise and light pollution by-laws represent a particular concern for the use of the site. Future tenants will no doubt have to consider this while operating their businesses out of the Cooper Site.

4 // Constraints

Precedence

Sheridan College ParkMississauga, ON

Sheridan College Park largely inspired the converging and diverging paths which define this proposal for the Cooper Site. In order to make the site a destination within the community, it was necessary to provide an interesting an unique experience - two things made possible by the network of paths designed on the site.

Peres Center for PeaceJaffa, Israel

The landscape at the Peres Center for Peace heavily influenced the sloping nature of the paths designed on the site, again in an effort to provide a more interesting experience, both visually and physically.

Precedence // 5

6 // Precedence

Red Ribbon ParkQinhuangdao, China

Red Ribbon Park inspired the design of the pathways throughout the site with its use of unconventional seating options and natural materials. This site managed to connect people to the environment in area which was previously avoided by most by creating a visually appealing conception of the natural landscape.

The High LineNew York City, NY

The High Line is a standout example of the ability to reconnnect nature with areas which were previously of the industrial persuasion. It successfully accomplished many of the objectives set out in this report including heritage preservation, connectivity and pedestrian experience; making it a natural sight of inspiration.

Concept

This plan aims to create a pedestrian destination out of the Stratford Cooper Site through the implementation of a number of features intended to improve the sense of place and connection that resident have in regards to it. The most important of these features will be outlined below.

Water Features

The landscape is composed of triangular spaces around which running streams create a microclimate and a sense of atmosphere. These are intended to complement the rest of the landscape - improving its connection to nature and further contrasting the previously industrial nature of the site.

These also serve to make the landscape a more desirable place to be. The sound of slow running water will incite a sense of tranquility throughout the landscape, making it the perfect place to relax with friends and family.

Bioswales

The inclusion of large bioswales in the proposed plan also serves to connect the landscape with the environment. Much like the water features, these bioswales will provide a microclimate and sense of atmosphere; but perhaps most importantly, they will work to minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with the large parking allocation on the site.

The swales will also act as a natural habitat for smaller animals in the region, even further acting to contrast the heritage of the site.

Concept // 7

8 // Concept

Amphitheatre

The amphitheatre is designed as a means of contextually connecting the site and the city in a historically relevant manner. An homage to the role that the GTR shops played in the beginning of the now famous Stratford festival’s past, it serves as a gathering place for residents where they can enjoy pre-arranged entertainment or even ply their own trade.

The amphitheatre is a space for the residents. It could perhaps be managed by a resident group to ensure equity of use and full community involvement.

Pedestrian Network

The complex network of paths designed on site intends to provide a pedestrian experience that is unparalleled in Stratford. These will foster a sense of place among visitors to the site due to their unique nature and visual appeal.

The paths also provide connections between opposing ends of the site, meaning that it will no longer be a barrier to walking in the city. In fact, there is hope that this could encourage walking by making it a more attractive experience.

Locomotive Memorial

The locomotive memorial was inspired by the Aids Memorial in New York City - providing a modern take on rail platform design. This acts as an attraction to a part of the site that might otherwise be non-descript, and aims to subtly contribute to the sense of the site’s heritage.

The memorial provides shade in a large field area which makes it an ideal spot for picnics and facilitates the relaxation of visitors while also providing space for activities such as pick-up sports.

Food Carts

The site will also provide a new take on food trucks - instead having the vendors serve out of repurposed train carts, with seating made out of vintage train related objects. This approach - inspired by the street food on Papirøen (Paper Island) in Copenhagen, Denmark - aims to further add to the sense of heritage on the site by connecting residents with the history of their community.

Concept // 9

Site Plan

N

PLAN 309Final Site Plan:GTR Cooper Site

Engineering Plan

N

PLAN 309Engineering Plan:GTR Cooper Site

Planting Plan

N

PLAN 309Planting Plan:GTR Cooper Site

Symbol Quantity Botanical Name Common Name Plant Spacing Ultimate Height Flower color Flower time Notes ALC 56 Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica 'Compacta' Compact Corkbark Fir 2.5m 4m Blue/Grey All yearAC 15 Acer palmatum 'Purple Ghost' Japanese Maple Purple Ghost 4.0m 4.0m Purple/Red; Red/Orange Spring/Summer; FallAT 2 Acer truncatum Shantung maple 7.0m 10m Green/Yellow; Red/Green; Yellow/Red Spring; Summer; FallAL 29 Amelanchier laevis Snowcloud Serviceberry 4.0m 9m Red; Blue/Green; Orange/Red Spring; Summer; Fall Edible berries; black/red/purpleBP 30 Betula platyphylla 'Fargo' Dakota Pinnacle Birch 3.0m 10m Dark green; Yellow Spring- Summer; FallCC 4 Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam 8.0m 12m Red/Green; Green; Yellow-Red Spring; Summer; FallCCL 5 Cercis canadensis L. Eastern Redbud 6.0m 4.5m-9m Pink/Purple; Green Spring; Summer CK 8 Cornus kousa Kousa Dogwood 4.5m 4.5m-6m White; Maroon Spring/Summer; Fall Red Berries; edibleCO 14 Cotinus obovatus American Smoke Tree 6.0m 6-9m Green; Yellow/Orange/Red Spring/Summer; Fall Purple FlowersCL 115 Cupressocyparis leylandii Leyland Cypress 3.0m 12m-18m Green All yearJS 145 Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper 'Skyrocket' 1.0m 4-8m Blue/Green All year MPF 7 Malus 'Prairie Fire' Prairie Fire Crabapple 6.0m 6.0m Pink; Purple/Red; Red/Orange; Red Fruit Sping; Summer; Fall; WinterPSW 9 Pinus Strobus Eatern White Pine 9.0m 15m-24m Green All yearPS 19 Prunus 'Spire' Cherry 'Spire' 2.0m 2.4-3.6m Pink Spring

Summary

The proposal for the Cooper Site above is one which places an emphasis on the local community. Features such as the amphitheatre centre on this principle, providing spaces explicitly designed for residents.

The plan aims to provide a unique pedestrian experience, making it a destination for residents and visitors alike in Downtown Stratford. This will allow the site to remain financially viable

well into the future so that its historical value will not ever come as close to be lost again as it was in recent years.

Further, by maintaining the original façade of the building, and repurposing old materials from it where possible, a visual sense of heritage will ensure that the importance of the site to the growth of Stratford will not be forgotten,

16 // Summary

Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. (2012). The Cooper Site (Locomotive Repair Sheds Public Consultation Report. Stratford

Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (2012). City of Stratford Cooper Site Building Community Workshop and Recommendations. Stratford

References // 17

References