Jinsha Lake City Centre

Location    Xiasha District, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China

Client    The Hangzhou Economic Development and Technology Area (HEDA)

Scope    Master-planning of 75 hectare, ecologically focused, city-centre

Key Outcomes    Urban Place-making, Ecological Integrity

Jinsha Lake was a Master-planning project initiated in 2011 for a 75 hectare site, with 2.8 kilometer publically accessible shoreline, located in Xiasha - a district which strives to be an international hub for industrial, scientific and manufacturing expertise. Our approach to and throughout the project’s concept and design-detail phases was to embrace the cultural and environmental responsibilities of the local context to the forefront of our visioning and development decisions. The core precincts of the new city centre were planned to include: financial, office, marketplace, ceremonial civic gardens, entertainment and retail, arts, beach and tourism, as well as naturally detailed parks and amenity zones. 

Our involvement in the Jinsha Lake project began as the design Lead for a site visioning study that would guide the development of a new city centre. We focused this masterplan design around the integration of two core priorities of Xiasha’s urbanization plan: promote economic growth, whilst respecting the region’s identity and culture, through the tailored use ecological development strategies.  Our design research and sense-of-place analysis included several visits to the West Lake, a precedent iconic park within central Hangzhou, and its surrounding area, to improve our understanding of how the local public realm was integrated amongst built and natural form systems. 

The prevalence of an ecology-centric perspective stemmed from the site’s inherited environmental deficiencies, including polluted streams and water-courses, which threatened both goals of achieving liveable and economic equitability. Through the collaboration of PACE Water Engineering Consultants of California, we were able to design a function-specific planting strategy that provided the 2.8km shoreline with the capacity to passively and mechanically filter wetland systems and shoreline riparian zones. 

As we lead the project through concept and development design phases, we emphasized opportunity to create vibrant commerce and human-scaled sense of place that defined a desirable centralized location. Beginning with articulation of a responsive site framework which informed form and tenure of the public realm, open space and cultural amenities, the final design solution resulted in the inclusion of extensive pedestrian, professional and entertainment experiences.

Canada Bread Landscape Restoration

Location    Hamilton, Ontario

Client    Maple Leaf Foods

Scope    Environmental programming of industrial baking facility

Key Outcomes    Ecological Flourishing, Local Health and Well-Being, LEED Certification

Maple Leaf Food’s Canada Bread facility was an engagement in both environmental design and programming of a blank-slate industrial site within Hamilton. Their organization sought a campus that reflected key local brand ideals – creating a place that was not only conscious of local ecology, but also progressed to strengthen local community’s health and well-being. In 2013, its achievement of LEED Gold Certification affirmed our outset design initiative for this project.

The design-brief for the Canada Bread facility outlined a typical challenge our team faces: successfully integrate an organizations fundamental programming and operations within the context of a sustainable site design that would be capable of complying with LEED gold, or higher, criteria. Since the facility and main operations took place within a very delineated footprint our process was able to shift toward enhanced efforts for a design-focus on habitat protection and site-ecology restoration – minimizing the scale of built-form dominance as the site matured.

Our iterative design phase was aided by consistent collaboration with civil and hydrological engineering consultants, which lead to the production of multiple site adaptations that responded to the client’s vision for a modern production facility. Key collaborative design techniques and strategies resulted: natively planted berming, conservative storm-water runoff, filtered groundwater recharge by way of extensive bio-swale design, and micro-ecological strategies facilitated in water catchment areas within naturalized site locations of native prairie and wet meadow habitats.

Ontario Provincial Campus

Location    Toronto, Ontario

Client    Government of Ontario

Scope    Collaborative Master-planning, and Design detailing, of 75 acre Campus

Key Outcomes    Low-Impact Development, Urban Design Guidelines, Multi-Sided Public + Private Collaboration

The 75 acre Provincial Campus was a collaborative Master-Planning engagement sprouting from Ontario’s long-term provincial plan, “Building Together.” Our outlining of urban design objectives that intersected pedestrian experience priorities and environmentally conscious built-form development aligned with aforementioned initiative’s aim for expansion and investment in public infrastructures as well as commitment to innovation’s influence. The Government’s outlook for the campus was to consolidate various regional agencies and their facilities, including: the new Humber River Regional Hospital, headquarters for the Ministry of Transportation, Provincial Police Detachment, Forensic Sciences Centre, and Coroner’s Court complex.

Queensway Commons

Location    The Queensway, West Toronto, Ontario

Client    FIMA Development Corp.

Scope    Master-planning of 24 hectare live-work development

Key Outcomes    Integrated Community, Urban Placemaking, Revitalization Catalyst, Development Guidelines

In an area anchored by dominant retail programming and identity, the Queensway Commons plan was an opportunity to designate the establishment of community and alternative employment/commerce near Etobicoke’s Sherway Garden and a future Toronto transit Hub.

The Queensway, mixed-use, community masterplan was initiated as a visioning exercise to investigate the redevelopment opportunity for a live-work campus. Our outlook defined a platform of vibrant public realm details that would facilitate the active establishment of a thriving community lifestyle. While the existing development and property context is primarily defined by retail use – stemming from the close proximity to a regional shopping centre, this particular Northern portion has a unique opportunity to reimagine its identity following the site’s identification as the future terminus of Toronto’s East-West subway expansion. 

Our focus during the process was to clearly translate the collaborated principles developed through the visioning stage into an overarching framework and recommendations report to guide further design. A particular barrier we identified with the client and stakeholders was that, in the site’s existing configuration, long-term economic viability and sustainability did not share a mutual relationship. As we strongly believed in the value to leverage the site’s unique location, oriented at the crossroads of a creek and rail corridor, we embarked on studies that used this characteristic as a redevelopment and identity foundation to provide a healthy economic strategy. This has articulated such components as land-use coordination, density levels, built-form, road networking and block plans, streetscape enhancements, with parks and open space linkages to service community requirements, infrastructure and phasing.

Mississauga Executive Centre Campus 

Location    Mississauga, Ontario

Client    Colliers Canada

Scope    Office Campus Revitalization Strategy

Key Outcomes    Corporate Identity, Site Enhancement Strategy, LEED Certification

The four high-rises of the Mississauga Executive Centre (MEC) campus have stood within the rapidly changing skyline of downtown Mississauga for more-than 35 years.  In accordance with the increasing development of its local context, our client sought the design of a process that would reassert their corporate mandate for their properties to identify as leaders in both sustainability and social responsibility. Our phased site enhancement strategy was not only comprehensive in terms of sustainable improvements and feasibility recommendations, but also prioritized: long-term visioning for incorporating innovations, re-establishing place-making, and design iterations of updated branding approaches to highlight their asset. 

Pearson International Corporate Centre

Location    Mississauga, Ontario

Client    Mantella Corporation

Scope    Visioning, Master Planning, Feasibility Study, and Policy Advising

Key Outcomes    Built-form Planning and Development Strategy

During the proposal and planning phase of a new corporate development project near Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Highway 401, we were invited to be a supporting consultant for Mantella Corporation’s real estate advisory team. The project’s outlook is the building of an intensive, sustainable, office campus, of which we were included for our experience consulting on site suitability and feasibility strategies for this category of development.

At a glance, our role with this project encompassed master planning, community engagement, heritage assessment / analysis and consideration, and contract oversight through construction.

The Back Story

Committed to a mission of setting the highest possible standard for retiree quality of life, a joint venture between Hearthstone Communities and Tridel engaged POPOVICH to provided urban design and landscape input for the significant redevelopment of this infill property in an established residential neighbourhood. Demanding sensitivity and attention in preserving and enhancing architectural and natural heritage elements of the property, this project successfully integrated a new mid-rise development onto this established site and the surrounding residential community.

Our Contribution

FACILITATION AND INTEGRATION

Acting as the principle liaison with concerned community members regarding the interface of the development within the existing residential neighbourhood, POPOVICH was responsible for translating the positive value potential the development offered to the surrounding community, in terms of lifestyle services and real estate equity.

By incorporating the existing designated heritage-designated building along with many significant mature trees on site we identified as design opportunities, we developed an integration design approach which was sympathetic to and enhanced the unique character of the site.

Care was taken to relate the development to the surrounding community, through cohesive and complementary streetscaping, including an extensive complementary landscaping, feature walls and site structures, maintaining the site’s prominence as one of the City’s valued heritage assets.

MASTER PLANNING

Working within the programmatic constraints of a continuing care facility and a relativity confined site, the preferred plan that evolved included comprehensive internal pedestrian connections, linking the various community oriented uses at grade. Extensive planting areas, parkettes and amenity areas were also incorporated, interspersed throughout the private realm, delivering seasonal interest as well as intimate spaces for repose.

With the Site’s proximity to Lake Ontario and its recreational trails, we determined it was essential to provide deliberate views out towards this borrowed landscape. Following Hearthstone’s mission, we achieved successful approval and implementation of this 174 unit luxury senior’s condominium, offering a high level independence for residents while creating a unique sense of community within the development.

At a glance, our role with this project encompassed visioning and master planning, detailed design development and contract oversight.

The Back Story

For this venture, we formed part of an engaged stakeholder group with an objective to redevelop a significant key land holding in the downtown core of the City of Waterloo. Concentrated on supporting, promoting and strengthening the local business by infusing a dynamic vitality, the multi-faceted Town of Waterloo’s Uptown shopping district, including the shopping district was reborn creating a new heart for the City. Our role involved developing an overall strategy directed at incorporating a sensitive approach and treatment of public realm areas which contributed to maximizing the pedestrian experience and animating street activities.

Our Contribution

PEDESTRIAN CHARACTER

Stretching along a 4-block section of King Street, at the projects onset, the concept was to implement best practices for downtown planning and revitalization, which infuse walkability and a welcoming pedestrian experience. Understanding the hallmark of a vital downtown is its pedestrian culture, we consciously focused on providing visitors reasons to walk as well as ensuring this could happen in a way that was safe, comfortable and mentally stimulating.

With mixed use development proposed within the proposed buildings, balance was provided of the greatest number of uses within a manageable walking distance, allowing for deliberate street level interventions. Forming the basis by which these principles could be solidified, sidewalks along the main frontages were widened. With careful attention to design elements, we were able to deliver a sense of elegance within the public realm to compliment the vitality and ambition inherent within the surrounding context.

URBAN STYLE

The Master Plan incorporated a civic square that provides a landmark and community amenity immediately abutting a portion of the development at one of the building’s main entrances. The space plays host to an exhibition area, performance stage and an ice rink during the winter months. Through design development, we defined a minimalist and unified palette to carry across the public realm, including paving and seating, patio areas, as well as streetscape landscaping.

Additionally, we provided tree canopy, where possible, moderating climatic conditions as well as improving a sense of enclosure by reducing the street space. Transportation was also a significant consideration for this retail dominated precinct. With an adjacent transit hub slated for expansion to include light rapid transit service, with extensive parking that intersects the site, the need to provide deliberate pathway connections was identified and incorporated. Overall the redevelopment has successfully attracted long-term quality businesses and created a place of exceptional ambiance, winning an urban design award for exemplary main street design in 2012.

At a glance, our role with this project encompassed visioning, cultural integration, public consultation, environmental restoration strategy, innovative detailed design development and contract oversight, ecological and geomorphic remediation.

The Back Story

Engaged by TransCanada as part of their mandate to be a leading energy infrastructure company, we worked in collaboration with Bogdan Newman Caranci, to develop an appropriate design approach for this significant infrastructure responding to restorative urban design principles while mitigating visual impact to the local community. Dealing with the quintessential conflict between issues of urban expansion and rural heritage, we worked extensively with TransCanada, the Town Council and the design collaborative to develop an approach to the site development that is highly functional while retaining cultural legacy.

Our Contribution

PLACE BRANDING

With strong urban design principles established by the Town of Halton Hills for all development along the Highway 401 corridor, our initial undertaking on the project was to respond with design strategies that supported this existing policy. As such, in conjunction with BNC, we crafted a comprehensive strategic plan that offered quality of built form reinforcing landscape context together with incorporating a strong visual identity for the client and Town. 

Utilizing the opportunity the relatively flat corridor lands offered, we incorporated a diversity of landscape forms and treatments that responded to the natural heritage elements of the property while emphasizing a major structural gateway feature developed as an urban design anchor, with maximum highway exposure. Developing unique and diverse planting communities with native plantings at to both complement and articulate this structure, has not only anchored the site, but also demonstrates the client’s commitment ecology as well as provides branding for the community.

ECOLOGICAL ENGANCEMENT AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION

The other substantial priority for this endeavour, was focused on securing the long-term stability and enhancement of existing natural heritage features for this extensive site, while re-establishing natural heritage components lost overtime to agricultural expansion on the site. Through our role, we identified appropriate opportunities to interface with adjacent rural lands through the preservation and restorative enhancement of existing native forest areas, wetland, and meadowland.  

Additionally, we implemented LID methodologies promoting infiltration of storm-water runoff on site, maintenance of natural drainage patterns to Six Mile Creek, the preservation and enhancement of natural heritage areas, wetland recreation, and remedial geomorphic works associated with habitat creation and long term watercourse stabilization. Extending this approach to promote a viable ecosystem on the property further, we rehabilitated property areas which had previously been used as active farmland to prairie, wetland and wet meadow habitat, returning them to predevelopment native plant communities.

Ultimately, these initiatives became essential ecological and community benefits, garnering support by the local community and Town Council. We were actively engaged throughout the extensive public consultation and facilitation processes as a part of realizing this project.

At a glance, our role with this project encompassed visioning and place-making, and innovative design development.

The Back Story

As part of an open design competition searching for initiatives to transform the Wyandotte Business District of Windosr, Ontario as well as to promote and enhance its culturally rich identity, POPOVICH responded with a proposal founded on principles to create strong strategic connections between the community’s business corridor and the surrounding residential neighbourhoods which support it. 

Our Contribution

DRIVING PRINCIPLES

Augmenting the key vision to create a vibrant business district showcasing a ‘World Marketplace’, our concept began by establishing 5 guiding principles to be used a building blocks from which to evolve the design. To instill pride, celebrate diversity, promote business, enhance accessibility, and reinforce environmental responsibility, provided the deliberate direction for our approach while providing opportunity to be applied beyond the scope of the project, following a successful implementation. 

PROGRAMMED REVITALIZATION

Providing the physical framework for culture to permeate, we created a refined streetscape utilizing street trees, ground related plantings and street furniture. This was supported by a series of plazas at the Districts centre, offering adaptable areas for a wide range of activities, functions as well as opportunities for public art installations. 

We also explored revitalization options and intensification potential of the built-form that framed the street frontage, offering a phased improvement perspective. Our hope was to create a space that engaged and instilled pride of place for residents as well as encouraging visitors, making Wyandotte a destination.

DEVELOPMENT BARRIERS

With a relatively wide street, along with significant heavy truck traffic, we identified the primary constraints in successfully implementing any sort of meaningful renewal had to do with mobility and accessibly. As such, we made the ambitious decision to remove 2 lanes of traffic reducing the scale of the road profile, while also offering opportunities to provide a mix of on-street parking, wider sidewalks as well as bus lay-bys and dedicated bike lanes. Building on the motif of movement, providing streets with ‘flat curbs’ and barrier free restrictions throughout the entire streetscape, the design promotes an environment that enhances accessibility to all, making it truly inclusive.

INNOVATION BRANDING

Incorporating environmentally responsible and restorative features throughout the project were proposed as a defining character for the District. Bio-swales within sidewalks and plaza areas were proposed, along with areas of permeable paving materials, in an effort to collect and reduce stormwater runoff, while providing an ecological benefit of groundwater recharge.

Incorporation of ‘green roofs’, alternative energy systems as well as reflective surfaces were also suggested for the redevelopment of existing structures. A unique layout for the intersections at either end of the project scope was developed. Offering safety for bicycle traffic these features form gateways that speak to the innovation that is inherent within the development scheme.

The Grand Experiment

Location    London, Ontario

Client    Private Resident

Scope    Programming and design of 20 acre private residence and agricultural site

Key Outcomes    Food Systems, Self-Sustaining Lifestyle, Strategic Business Modeling and Orientation

With a 20 acre site 20 minutes outside of London, an inspired couple approached Popovich to facilitate their vision of operating and managing their own unique agro-business. Our team framed the project as a chance to define a sustainability-centric agricultural model that was contextually appropriate and could support a flourishing future for them – thus the ‘Grand Experiment’ was coined. This project became a platform for exploring the best use of conditions, such as: sun and wind exposure, property configuration, ecological communities, drainage and topography, existing built-form scale and character, and prominent vistas and views – to identify a few. Alternative energy methods such as solar, geothermal and wind were considered as means of reducing capital and operational cost while improving the reliability of service and sustainable energy systems.

The Grand Experiment is a homestead project outside of London that Popovich undertook as an opportunity to test and expand our understanding of both ecological and food systems. The clients goal was straightforward, which granted a lot of design potential for the 20 acre agro-site; the couple wanted to the ability to ‘live of the land’ and become self-sustaining, while all staying within a fiscally viable program and schedule. The foundation of our approach to this design opportunity was comprehensive front-end services to ensure we were perceiving what exactly was strategically-fit for this context and conditions. To forecast potential return on investment over a 15-year plan, we conducted fiscal modeling in tandem with our design process to generate a framework that could orient our solution to include various components that resulted in better success. 

From the ‘preferable’ output that started to take shape throughout the initial process, we saw multiple chances to integrate a narrative of permaculture into the final programming guidelines. This directed an intensive habitat creation initiative to restore natural areas of the property to native forest and replace manicured areas of the site with habitat-promoting plantings.

The on-going development of this project now includes design and programming for woodworking, fruit and vegetable harvesting, a self-balancing livestock/vegetation ecosystem, and details to support a steady decline in the overall carbon footprint. The inaugural season was both ambitious and successful, having replaced the previous monoculture of corn with a diverse and sustainable selection of grains. We maintain an active dialogue with the client, providing support with regular site visits and review of the client’s active journaling.

Grenadier Pond

Location    Toronto, Ontario

Client    City of Toronto

Scope    Ecological Revitalization Design of Pond’s South Bank

Key Outcomes    Protection and Enhancement of Environmentally Sensitive Public Access

Toronto’s High Park features one Grenadier Pond, a point of visual escape and a 5km-surrounding trail. Our engagement concerned environmental consultation and strategy for visioning and revitalization of the southern-most ecology and path. Our inclusion in an extensive compliment of environmental disciplines was not only to provide environmental success, but to provide it in a design that would make it accessible and consistently enjoyed by those who frequent the parks amenities.