Design Intent
Wateridge Village is a sustainable new community located within Ottawa’s urban area, minutes from the downtown core, and overlooking the Ottawa River. It celebrates both the heritage and legacy of the former Rockcliffe Lands as well as contemporary, forward-thinking urban design.
The landscape is uniquely designed to integrate sustainable, low impact development (LID), pedestrian connectivity, native plant species, engaging site features, and a sense of place; characteristics that convey the spirit of Wateridge Village while providing continuity across the site. Wide mews are focal points, broad pedestrian-oriented corridors that run north-south and that are bounded by and viewed from the adjacent buildings. The mews are designed as accessible public spaces, providing formal and informal seating areas, with landscapes that offer fresh and green open spaces within a compact community.
NAK is responsible for the design and implementation of public and private amenity spaces, streetscape design, urban design, community connections, pedestrian mews, wayfinding and private patios, Project goals include sustainability and implementation of low-impact development initiatives, accessibility and inclusivity, and integration of the Wateridge Village overarching goals of Algonquin Cultural Heritage Military Heritage.
The design is intended to draw attention to the environment and to reduce the community’s environmental footprint. All public areas are accessible; and specified plant material is native and drought tolerant to minimize long term maintenance. The design has been well received by City staff and it is considered one of the most innovative community design projects in the City.
In order to eliminate the potential hazards associated with standing water, surface water will not be allowed to collect on the site and will be directed instead to below-grade LID structures, a major component of the Civil Engineering design, that allow water to percolate into the ground rather than directing it to storm sewers and off site. Native plant species including ferns, grasses, groundcovers, trees and shrubs are selected in consideration of the original landscape of surrounding Algonquin lands.
The landscape of Wateridge Village will connect people to nature in an urban community where people can live and play while contributing to a greener, more sustainable built environment.
Image Credit
Lifang-CG
