Eternal Triangles

One of the first things I noticed in moving to James Bay was the striking Capital Park development. Its architecture and design are so different from the rest of James Bay, it's hard not to pay attention to it!

Capital Park sprawls over several blocks. While numerous elements intrigue me, one of its most noticeable features is the use of the triangle, evident in the photo below.

One of the buildings at Capital Park in James Bay. The prominent triangle is repeated many times in the development.

A few examples of the triangle theme follow.

This building, which houses the Good Earth cafe, repeats the design feature of the triangle on the corner, but cuts it off below the roof, which also has a prominent triangular "prow". The unique fountain in the walking area serves as a conversation piece - and as a summer play area for children.

This is the back of the Good Earth cafe. The triangular cascade of water on the left repeats the architectural theme - as does the reddish triangular piece of iron. Iron is used several times in Capital Park in decorative ways. I've seen it used as building cladding elsewhere in Victoria. 

Capital Park juxtaposes modern buildings against those of historic James Bay. The two buildings in the background are owned by the development, and have been renovated and converted into upscale rentals. Notice the repetition of triangles in the concrete barriers separating patios between units, and in the design of the pool.

The use of triangles in Capital Park helps break up the rectangular look of the residential "boxes". 

Triangles are used in subtle ways in this landscaping, in the interior of the development. The triangular concrete berms are a theme used throughout the development's landscaping. 

The extensive open sitting area outside the Good Earth. This photo was taken before the construction of the buildings in the background was completed. I've included it here because even the chairs have a triangular motif.

Another view of the pool beside Good Earth, showing the relationship of the modern architecture with that of the Legislature in the background.

One final shot showing the triangular feature of the cascading waterfall.

Once I noticed the angles throughout Capital Park, I began noticing them in other places.

The sculpture "Mountains within Mountains" by Kent Laforme, outside the Oswego Hotel.

I've always found houses that are angled away from the road to be an attractive layout; perhaps it's due to the triangular frontage areas created when this is done. Here is an example, from Michigan Street.

The brick building, the house, and the church in the background are all angled away from the sidewalk, creating a dynamic flow to the street. amd triangular front yards.

This is James Bay Square, another example of how the "boxiness" of a rectangular building shape can be broken up, in this case by the triangular balconies, and the triangular planters.

I've encountered a variety of bicycle racks in Victoria. Here's one that repeats the theme of this blog post.

A second example of the triangular bike rack design, in use, at the Legislature, where the red contrasts wonderfully with the grey stone.

Entrance to condos on Dallas Road. Although I'm not an engineer, it makes sense that the triangle would be used for structural support. According to all things Google, the triangle is the strongest geometric shape and is common in engineering.

Another example, from downtown (the "Royal Mall"), of triangles in use for structural support.

The structural support provided by the triangle is used to strengthen buildings, and improve their ability to withstand an earthquake. 

Buttresses added after the fact at James Bay Community School. The decorative touch is one of those small features that I love about walking in Victoria: tiny details which make all the difference to my enjoyment of the landscape!

The triangular banner, also from the Royal Mall, changes the boxiness of the straight lines.

These deck chairs on the Dallas Road walkway have a triangular feel to them!

Mural downtown which breaks up a blank wall on a walkway in Old Town.

I'm intrigued at this creative way of introducing greenery into a high density area, and the way the wall is broken up by the dynamic triangle theme.

My last image is from the redevelopment site of the original Hudson's Bay building. These are curvilinear triangles, not rigid - but I liked the creative way of working the original colours of the Bay blanket into the public art.

I've enjoyed my brief tour of eternal triangles... from building design to neighborhood layout, from art to engineering. I am sure there are many more to discover.