Design Intent
NAK designed the Windsong community, a 58-hectare development in South Airdrie, to celebrate the area’s agricultural roots while incorporating sustainable features throughout. The design of the community aims to achieve energy efficiency through housing orientation, efficient use of land through the development of a variety of housing products and densities, and low impact development through bioswales, retention ponds, and deeper topsoil. The expanding Windsong community continues to be designed to ensure enjoyment and functionality for generations to come. NAK’s role has progressed from visioning, land use planning, and urban design, to detailed landscape design and tendering.
Located in Airdrie, AB the Southwinds storm water management pond is the first of its kind for the City. The pond is a hybrid pond, consisting of a main pond cell, a constructed wetland cell, and an irrigation pump house as the ultimate outfall, and primary irrigation water source for the public lands in the community. Additionally, the wetland component of the pond is vegetated entirely with genetic material harvested from the site, propagated and then planted in the wetland. Nearly 10,000 plants were introduced back into the wetland area.
Such wetlands may provide educational opportunities for the general public through interpretive signage, brochures, tours and education centres within the area. Educational materials can allow users to understand and enjoy the many functions of wetlands. This may include wetland construction methods, plant identification, wetland functions, or wildlife facts. People can have access to specific areas of the wetland such as viewpoints, boardwalks, or platforms therby increasing the educational and social value of the wetlands.
