THE BRANCH
AN EDUCATIONAL POP-UP AT WESTMNITERPONDS WELLINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER FOCUSED ON SUSTAINABILITY, HISTORY, AND NATURE
Studio 6, Winter 2023
Group Project
In collaboration with Lily Daum
SOFTWARE USED
AutoCAD
SketchUp
Lumion
InDesign
PhotoShop
Illustrator
THE CONCEPT
The design for Westminster Ponds Center renovation takes into consideration the initial developmental stages of WPC & ReForest London’s identity for staff and patrons, while preserving the heritage and integrity of the Wellington Building and its surrounding environment, to create a functional, user-friendly, educational, and immersive experience. The space features communal custom benching areas and immersive educational activities that are inspired by ReForest London, and Westminster Ponds individualistic mission, and surrounding environment, featuring biophilic design features including organic forms, natural materials, and sustainable design integrations. The overall design promotes community involvement, and educational opportunities to inspire individuals to learn more about their surrounding environment, while fostering and preserving their diverse locality. With ample access to natural views, and daylighting, The Westminster Ponds Center connects its users to nature by incorporating aspects of the surrounding exterior environment - indoors, promoting positive user health and well-being, while also creating a functional, flexible space where users feel welcomed upon entry. Whether users inhabiting the space are staff members or visitors of the community, inspiration to become involved in WPC & ReForest London’s goals and missions is fostered, and encouraged offering activities and accessibility for all.
THE NARRATIVE
As visitors of the community, and members of the association enter the Westminster Ponds Centre, they are immediately welcomed into a bright, open lobby where immersive activities, and educational aspects pull each individual inside, inspiring intrigue, and fascination. Whether individuals enter from the east entrance, or the west entrance, you are immediately welcomed, and pulled in by The Branch. The Branch is a custom designed immersive, educational experience where individuals have the opportunity to interact with native tree species and plants found within the community of London, and learn based on pre-written native definitions and interesting facts. With an open centre, and 4 corners, The Branch features species including beach, pine, maple, cedar, dogwood, and oak trees as well as flowers such as tulips, trilliums, and black eyed-susans. On the exterior of The Branch, parametric, custom designed acoustical wood benching is incorporated where individuals can sit and enjoy their time within the space, while also walk around and become educated on features such as local and regional level climate change actions, tree life-cycles, recycling importance and guidance, sustainable materials used within the space, land preservation importance, and net zero goals for the property. As well, adjacent on the south side of The Branch a display wall of Westminster Ponds Centre Milestones is displayed, creating a timeline of the property, its owners, history, and overall achievements throughout the years of its induction. Along the timeline, some features included are initial site inhabitants, building renovation processes, land owner changes, ReForest London ownership, and site achievements including ReForest London’s planting goals. The timeline wall is adjustable and modular too allow for individuals to change out, and add in timeline features, each year an achievement is met, or a significant event occurs.
INTERIOR ELEVATIONS
INTERIOR PERSPECTIVES
