Greenspace plan in place in Brandon

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/09/2017 (2997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Did you know September is Landscape Architecture Month in Manitoba?

Every year, the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects compiles a growing list of events around Winnipeg to celebrate landscape architecture in the province. Keep an eye out for events such as PARK(ing) Day, which began as a grassroots initiative years ago in San Francisco only to become a world-wide phenomenon. On Fri., Sept. 15, artists and designers will take over several parking stalls at the Forks and convert them into pop-up parks for just one day.

You may not have realized that many of your favourite public spaces have been designed by landscape architects. A landscape architect’s breadth of work ranges from residential design to community parks and gardens, to large-scale developments and more.

The A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, designed by 1×1 Architecture as prime consultant, is located in downtown Brandon at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Princess Street. The newly renovated civic complex is a destination for residents in downtown Brandon. It accommodates civic offices including the planning, engineering departments and community services.

The A.R. McDiarmid Greenspace, designed by Architecture49, supplements and extends the programs hosted by the existing Civic Complex, while creating a central meeting place that invites and unites individuals from the surrounding community.

The concept of “pods’’ was designed to complement the existing architectural language of the building and to serve as loosely programmed space for youth and cultural activities. Previously a parking lot, the greenspace now provides a community garden; an active play area for unorganized sports; a grassy berm for seating; café-style seating; and a fruit orchard. Poured recycled rubber paving was used to connect and enhance the “pod” design, providing a playfully patterned backdrop to the space.

The recycled rubber paving repurposed 1,050 tires for this project and reduced construction costs, as the rubber is poured directly onto the existing parking surface, requiring no asphalt removal. Additionally, the rubber acts as fall-protective surfacing throughout the entire plaza and changes in paving patterns define spaces such as the stage, and the basketball court.
The fruit orchard and cultural garden allow local programs to introduce ‘seed to plate’ concepts that include planting and harvesting in the gardens, cooking in the Civic Centre kitchen, and Farmers Markets. The grass berm offers an area for relaxation with 360 degree views of the plaza. It is designed to act as seating for an outdoor theatre where a film can be projected onto the building wall. The park also includes pathways, benches and bike racks.  

A.R. McDiarmid Greenspace is the first project in Brandon to be designed through the lens of the City of Brandon Greenspace Masterplan. The project involved a public consultation, open house and an online questionnaire to gather community input. This ‘passive leisure space’ will be a catalyst in changing greenspace design in the community core.

— Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects