project

NEIGHBOURHOOD BENCH

Highlands Branch Library Public Art Project, Edmonton, 2011
The new library design takes its inspiration from the neighbourhood vernacular of houses with pitched roofs. I decided to take this notion of community inspiration somewhat literally. Having studied the common house types in the neighbourhood, I propose to transform them into slightly abstracted concrete miniatures. The new, mini neighbourhood of gabled houses playfully interacts with the scale of the library and the large elm tree, all the while providing a seating arrangement that fosters various types of occupation by individuals and groups. I would hope it also brings smiles to people’s faces; there is something elemental about the small, simplified form of a house that brings to mind children’s doodles and dollhouses.

Construction begin in 2012. Rendering

Site Plan

Elevation

Concept House 1

Concept House 2

Rendering