2001 Winners and Judges Comments
Winners were announced during an Awards Ceremony in Memorial Hall, City Hall on Monday October 29, 2001.
Winners and Jurors statement:
Deputy Mayor Don Rogers and District 12 Councillor Leonore Foster announced the winners of the 2001 Livable City Design Awards during a ceremony held in Memorial Hall, City Hall on Monday, October 29, 2001.
Jurors Statement
Introduction:
This is the first year of the Livable City Design Awards. The jury's task was to review 34 nominated submissions representing several decades of building, development, and environmental activity completed before 1998. The jury was composed of a guest juror from Toronto and three local jurors including the Commissioner of Planning and Development Services for the City of Kingston. The judging took place in Kingston on September 22, 2001.
The jurors were impressed by several urban developments in Kingston. The jury focused its recognition on the efforts of the public sector (government, university and conservation authority), civic-minded individuals and a group of property owners. The jury was very impressed with efforts to create linkages between the rivers and Lake Ontario. Only one award was given in the important residential category (Grenville Park). In their decision, the jurors hope to challenge builders to pursue and attain a higher design benchmark. The following themes were highlighted by the jury:
Princess Street and the Downtown - The jury noted that Princess Street is an important concept and district within the city. In fact it was felt that nominated projects along Princess Street should be reviewed as a separate category. These projects should be assessed as to how they contribute to and reinforce the character of Kingston's "Main Street". Across North America the urban street is dying; in Kingston it's thriving! A lot of different things are needed simultaneously in order to ensure the well being of the street - renovation, restoration and new construction. The Chez Piggy Courtyard, the Lloyd Rapin Properties, the Grand Theatre Walkway, Indigo Books, James Reid Furniture and the garden at Aunt Lucy's all contribute to the well being of Princess Street. Overall, the jury was very impressed with the vitality and vibrancy of Downtown Kingston.
The Waterfront Pathway and Land Assembly along the Great Cataraqui River and Little Cataraqui Creek - the Waterfront Pathway still remains in the realm of the potential and it is vitally important to complete it. The waterfront is also clearly linked with the foresight and activities of the CRCA who have created and managed a great legacy for the future of Kingston along the waterfront and the river valleys. The potential for an interconnected path and bike systems from north of the Highway 401 and along Lake Ontario and up the Great Cataraqui River is profound. The preservation of the river valleys is important in keeping Kingston livable and open. The juxtaposition of nature and the city is exciting. The jury views the environmental category as being very important because it's about the future of the City.
Community Participation and Civic Pride - the jury was impressed with the dedication and impact of individuals who are making a difference to the community, notably the Barriefield Rock Garden and the Garden at Aunt Lucy's. This kind of civic pride deserves to be recognized.
The Winning Projects:
Grenville Park
Category: Residential
Designer/Owner: Grenville Park Cooperative Association
Grenville Park is an extremely positive model on many levels. It is exemplary as to how open space should connect through residential areas. The development retains the scale of the roadway without curbs, gutters or sidewalks. The community plays a big role in the upkeep of the area. The jury noted the old field patterns have remained in the subdivision design and the retention of many massive trees. As an example of urban development it's great, as an example of suburban development it's huge! There are a lot of advantages to be gained from this type of development. It is wonderful!
Chez Piggy Courtyard
Category: Non-Building Element/Courtyard
Designer: Lily Inglis, Architect
Owner: Ted Lloyd, Jack Rapin, Rose Richardson and Zal Yanofsky
This courtyard represents a unique feature of Kingston - interconnected interior block connections and courtyards. This contributes greatly to the charm of the City. This pattern of opening up the block interiors is important. The term used in its categorization (non-building element) is a misnomer. It is courtyard development and Chez Piggy is an outstanding, pioneering example. It supports the urban street (Princess Street) and creates an alternate small scale pedestrian system. You cannot disconnect the two. The design is not overstated.
Lloyd/Rapin Properties
Category: Historic Preservation
Designer: Inglis and Downey Architects
Owner: Ted Lloyd and Jack Rapin
These two restored buildings were seen as interconnected with the Chez Piggy courtyard. They work beyond the effective restoration of the building exteriors because of its relationship with the courtyard. This is a message to the community on the strength of joint improvements, which create synergies and engaging urban places.
Barriefield Rock Garden & the Garden at Aunt Lucy's
Category: Non- Building Elements Community Gardens
Barriefield Rock Garden: Designer: Bill Robb, residents of Barriefield, Ontario Stewardship Rangers, et al.
Owner: City of Kingston,Department of national Defense, Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Garden at Aunt Lucy's: Designer: Art Everard
Owner: Gerald Warne
Both these projects fall into the same category. The Barriefield Rock Garden is a good effort at an important entrance to the City, while Aunt Lucy's garden represents a high level of commitment for a considerable period time. The jury wanted to send a clear message that what is happening at these two sites is important and prime examples of community work and initiative.
The Woolen Mill & Doug Fluhrer Park
Category: Renovation and Non-Building Element
Woolen Mill Designer: Hank Dornekamp, Mike Spencer, Reid and Simeonsen, William Worthy Architect, and Sandy Wilson, Architect. Owner: ABNA Investments
Doug Fluhrer Park - Designer/Owner: City of Kingston
Here we have another important ensemble - the renovation of the Woolen Mill and the creation of Doug Fluhrer Park. The Woolen Mill represents good development with its effective floor plan, its location on the water, and the provision of important landscape links to adjacent public open spaces. This building renovation and creation of open space is catalytic, making the entire area into something worthwhile by uniting public and private initiatives. The City needs to get involved more in the planning and execution here. The jury expressed concerns about the continuation of development here as it pertains to the extension of Wellington Street and the proposal for another building. We have to think about the role and the contribution these changes will bring to this ensemble. The development of the park will be critical for the future success of this area of the Inner Harbour.
Regarding Doug Fluhrer Park in its recognition the jury acknowledged the foresight in securing this land as public parkland and the removal of industry which opened up the view and access to the water, while recognizing that the park is incomplete and does not in itself represent good design in its present state.
Stauffer Library
Category: Institutional
Designer: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects
Owner: Queen's University
The Stauffer Library is in a category unto itself. The jury commended Queen's University for making the decision to relocate three historic buildings from the site and not attempt to integrate them into the implemented design.
Wolfe Island Ferry Terminal
Category: Industrial
Designer: Inglis and Downey Architects
Owner: Ontario Ministry of Transportation
Grand Theatre Walkway
Category: Non Building Element - Courtyard/Walkway
Designer: Arcop and Associates
Owner: City of Kingston
This project exhibits good scale, attention to detail and lighting. The through block linkages are successful. This project strengthens Princess Street by linking with parking at the rear. Overall, the walkway has a very positive influence on the street life.
Land Assembly on the Little Cataraqui Creek & Tree Planting on CRCA lands
Category: Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Designer/Owner: Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
Both the land assembly and tree planting programs represent important incremental processes that are having a cumulative effect. Having so much natural open space in and near the urban area will be of increasing importance in the years to come. There is a need to strengthen the multiple access points and linkages for cyclists and pedestrians throughout this system.
Waterfront Walkway System
Category: Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Designer/Owner: City of Kingston
Beautiful! Spectacular potential for pedestrian and bike linkages. There are still parts that don't work - but keep going! The jury's award for The Waterfront Pathway is associated with the land assembly program of the CRCA along the rivers. The award is also about a remarkable story of incremental development, and a process having a cumulative impact resulting from years of effort by many people.
