Submitted by Phil Cox
Earlier in the summer, Planning and Development put out a call for members to be part of a design reference group. The group, 24 members strong and diverse, is engaged with MODA the architect working under Urban Matters.
Having earlier confirmed that the best and pretty much only site for a new build coincides with four of the eight one bedroom units, MODA’s current task is to develop “massing” ideas for the site. These are design concepts created to meet the specifics of the site along with other requirements like: affordability, accessibility/adaptability and member preferences as understood to date. They are not detailed drawings, as yet.
On July 23rd, MODA presented five options for consideration. In the Zoom call, the MODA team asked us to take away the pdf document from the meeting and state our preferences.
On August 6th, the reference group met again with MODA. They presented a reduced field of candidate drawings each embellished with more detail and adapted to consider the feedback received. The MODA team again asked us to provide feedback on each of the three models presented.
As you can see from the photos above, the three “next stage” massing options that were presented are stylistically quite different from each other. On August 8th, members of the design reference group met at the little free library to debrief the discussion and provide another round of guidance.
We scored the “spaceship” model ahead of the “village” model but asked that the two remain in play for the next round. Other highlights on the advice given were (in no particular order):
at least eight of the 15 units to be one bedrooms;
covered balconies please, sized to be roughly comparable to what we already have in our two and three bedroom units;
preference for common space over greenhouses (maintenance concerns);
some variability over units sizing and specs, but with caution that we don’t want to create a pricing nightmare or to introduce concerns related to potential inequality.
We mentioned that aspect and lighting are important for all units.
We discussed common space uses and proportions with consensus that we don’t need a space to occupy everyone, by any means;
that it should be a versatile space to handle usual gathering sizes with a modest kitchen;
and that the cost burden of such a space would have to be a consideration given our overall need to keep the whole project affordable.
We said there should be provision for an office.
So now MODA is to take our latest feedback and pour more detail into the two preferred massing options. In the third week of August, the MODA team will present their next, more detailed ideas and drawings to the reference group. Following this, the reference group will meet again to address a final set of questions prior to MODA / Urban Matters submitting their recommendations to the Coop. We will invite the membership to drop by for the latter part of this session to hear about the current state of thinking. Stay tuned for more information on that.