Monday, November 28, 2022

Details Matter! (Part 2)

In my first post about "Details" I explored how small elements of design can make a big difference in our enjoyment of our urban landscape.

In this post, I'm exploring the same question, but from the perspective of function. Details can make a difference in how our urban landscape works. 

I will examine two elements of the urban landscape: fences, and public open space.

Fences

"Good fences make good neighbours". Robert Frost raised the question of the benefits, and the negatives, of fences, in the poem "Mending Wall", where this phrase first appeared. 

A fence is a border. It may provide clarity, but it can also divide and separate. One of the aspects I enjoy about the areas of Victoria that I walk through is the openness of the people who live here. And, they show it in how they live in their residences and gardens -- and the nature of the fences they erect. For me, a fence is a detail which tells a lot about how a community sees itself.

The openness of this fence allows visual communiucation between the passer-by and those in the dwelling. The chair on the porch, facing the street, gives an implicit message of looking outward to the community.

The open pickets on this fence allow visual connection through it. And, the fence is low enough that people can talk over it. The presence of the Little Library also speaks to community connection. Passers-by are invited to stop and browse.  All of these are subtle details which add to the experience of community.

Yes, community is all about love. I interpreted this spontaneous bulletin board to be an invitation to leave positive messages to others in the community.

The mural on this house could not be seen and enjoyed if the owners of the house had chosen to separate themselves from the community with a solid fence. 

The bench facing the sidewalk, with the patio area in the front, tells a story -- of relationship and openness. This house has no fence, just shrubbery between it and the sidewalk.

And one more example of a house, close to the sidewalk, with a bench out front. No fence, just shrubbery.
A house close to the sidewalk, with a porch with chairs; feels friendly to me!

I'll close this quick overview of fences and community with two examples of streetscapes, and the feeling that is created when houses are close to the sidewalk, with or without fences.

Lewis Street in James Bay. This short historic street has no sidewalks, few fences, and a strong community. The plaque on the fence in the foreground tells of the first owners of this heritage house built in 1908.
Although it's a short street, Lewis Street has a pleasant play area, shown in the photo which follows. 
The Lewis Street playground, part of the community along this street. Here are a few community-oriented features to notice, besides the shade tree, the picnic table and bench: the Little Library, the speed bump on the street, and the sign showing a pedestrian connection to the next street over. 


Capital Park development on Michigan Street, before the grass was seeded last year. I like the European feel of the units with their decks close to the sidewalk, and the translucency of deck railings. (As a side note, the trees were all protected during construction with sturdy fences around them. They seem to have weathered the lengthy construction period well.)
 

The communities I have featured in these few images would have a very different feel if residences were set far back from the street, with high fences or hedges obscuring views. There would be subliminal messages of isolation, privacy, and protection. Instead, we have "eyes on the street" (as urbanist Jane Jacobs termed it) of many people living near the street helping to keep the community safe, and to build a sense of belonging. 

Open Spaces

Another feature of community is the presence of public spaces where people can gather. I've puzzled about why some spaces encourage people to enjoy them, whereas others seem to stay empty for much of the time. What makes one work, and another, not so much?

Factors I've identified include access to food, provision of comfortable places to sit, and feelings of safety. These factors speak more to how the space functions, rather than how it looks. .


This open area is usually busy. Why this area? It's located at the intersection of two sidewalks which see a lot of foot traffic. There is access to food and seating, and the scale is intimate, yet open enough that people can wander in and out freely. 

I contrast the busyness of the small sitting space in front of the Red Barn Market with the usually unoccupied seats in front of the Good Earth. Why is this space underutilized? There is food nearby, the space is definitely open, but it's almost too open. There is no intimate quality to it. I think that will change as the trees which have been planted mature. The space could easily accommodate more seating; more people in the square would change its energy.  Finally, there is a wind tunnel just off to the right, between two of the buildings; this may also be a factor in how the space is used.. 

This is not a public space, but an outside restaurant patio, off Bastion Square. As the image shows, it's humming with activity. People like to go where there is food, and be near where there are other people. The phrase "safety in numbers" comes to mind. I like the way the area has been enclosed with the potted plants. It provides a feeling of intimacy, without losing its open qualities.

This empty space is a public courtyard within the main branch of Victoria's public library. A second view is provided in the next photo.

The Library courtyard showing the large blank walls on the other side. Though this space is sheltered from wind, it has no sense of intimate scale to invite people to sit (and, seating is limited!) The dark entrance of the library in the background is a little ominous. I think people like to feel a space is safe, and that they have an exit. The library only provides an exit if it is open. There is no cafe or restaurant nearby. All these features contribute to an almost desolate atmosphere.

This is the courtyard at the Library's front entrance. It's covered, so protected from the elements. One would think it would be crowded with people enjoying the space, but usually it's not. Why? My thought is that it lacks the balance between having an intimate feel and at the same time having an openness to it. Perhaps this courtyard carries that aura. Plus, there are neither food vendors nor colour! Colour adds life and vibrancy. I recall visiting a library in Chetwynd in northern BC a few years ago which had a cafe right inside the library. The library was a popular place!

A magnificent art installation in the library courtyard. I rarely see people sitting around and enjoying either the space or the art.

Perhaps this dark tunnel-like entrance to the library is another reason people refrain from congregating outside. 

This is another public courtyard, off Pandora Street. As the photo shows, it's empty. There are no food vendors nearby, few benches for people to sit, and a complexity of stairs. It feels sterile and bleak. 
Janion Square, off Johnson Street, is south-facing, and has bike lock-ups, some trees and benches. It's a popular rendez-vous point for cyclists; there are often people sitting here.

This area outside the Yates Street Market is usually very busy. There is food inside, sheltered chairs to sit on and a pleasant ambience. The design in the sidewalk adds to the feeling of an intimate space inviting the passerby to sit for a few minutes. There often may be people sitting on the sidewalk near the store entrance with their hats out.
Here's a functional detail that is important in Canada. These benches face north. They rarely see the sun, and the building offers little protection from any weather coming from the north, east or west. Because of this, I rarely see people using the benches.

These benches are sheltered and face south - and of course, have an amazing view! They are often occupied, unlike the north-facing ones in the previous phot.

From fences to planning public open space... the details do matter. I hope you agree! There will be more posts to come, as I ponder what works and doesn't work in our urban areas.




Monday, November 14, 2022

Details Matter!

What does it take to create a satisfying urban landscape? An environment which is both functional and attractive? One which invites people to feel comfortable and provides a sense of calm--or, alternatively, stimulates and energizes? This question is something that intrigues me whenever I walk. 

Part of the answer to this question is "in the details". I am learning that the details matter! We may not even notice them... but, when they aren't there, we just know that something is missing.  Perhaps the landscape feels sterile, or perhaps, it's not as functional as it could be.

In this post, I explore this idea.

I'm starting with a look at details in design, small touches which add a vibrancy and contribute to a sense of caring for the place in which we live and work.

And, although I could start from many different topics, I'll begin with that of planters. 

Planter at Fairfield Community Centre. I love mosaic work, and glass tile, and this kind of detail adds to the richness of the environment. Imagine what this planter would like like if it were grey concrete.

Planter near the front door of Cedar Hill Recreation Centre. I don't know the backstory of this planter, but I'm guessing it was crafted by a program for young people, during the first year of the pandemic. Seeing the multitude of hearts is a welcome introduction to anyone walking through the doors of the centre.

From planters, I move to another element of the urban environment we may take for granted and not really notice -- garbage receptacles.

This image shows how attention to detail -- colour, the Chinese script -- contributes to the sense of place for Chinatown, from the unique garbage can, to the entrance posts,and the sculpture.

Waste and recycing bins at the back of the Legislature, with the provincial coat of arms. The small touch adds to the ambience of this seat of provincial government.

Waste receptacle, Belleville Street, near the Port Angeles ferry terminal with stylized four pointed design.

A close cousin of waste receptacles are metal Sea-Cans. Some years ago Emergency Measures in Victoria placed these Sea-Can containers throughout the city, full of emergency supplies in the event of an earthquake or other disaster. I've found a few on my wanderings. Many have been transformed, reflecting, again, a sense of aesthetics and caring.

Sea-Can container in Irving Park, James Bay

Detail from Sea-Can container in North Park

Sea-Can container at James Bay Community School

Sea-Can at Fairfield Community Centre

From decorating functional items like planters, waste receptacles and Sea-Can storage containers, I will move to decorating another functional item: a transmission tower.

Telus tower, Summit Park. I was intrigued at the clever design which flowed outwards from both sides of the tower. The mural helps reduce the industrial feel of the concrete monolith. 

Detail of mural on the Telus tower, Summit Park


Some of the things I've noticed reflect Victoria's role as the provincial capital. There are subtle elements which convey a sense of pride, of uniqueness, perhaps even the "pomp and ceremony" appropriate for a capital city. 

Stylized design using the outline of the legislature on a bike rack on Menzies Street.

Lamp post on the grounds of the Empress Hotel, showing a "quatrefoil", four leafed image. According to a Wikipedia entry, the quatrefoil has a long history in art, architecture, heraldry and Christianity. It is a symbol associated with "rulership".  

Stylized dogwood at the centre of the design for this fence near the Centennial fountain.

Paying attention to detail is also a part of craftspersonship. Here are some examples where that combines with Victoria's role as legislative capital.

Detail from a door in the provincial Legislature.

Another door from the provincial Legislature


Carved doors at the Royal BC Museum. Besides the striking trees, images within the design include a bird (possibly a raven?) at the top, flower (dogwood?), mountain goat, spirit dancer and a sailing vessel like a clipper ship. The doors are weather-worn now; I found one image online, by Chris Howes, Wild Places Photography (UK), which showed much better detail. The photo was likely taken in the late 80s or early 90s.

Detail of spirit dancers from museum door (original photo by Chris Howes).

The municipal government also has paid attention to details in design. Here are a couple of examples.
Stylized Garry oak leaf on a park bench in Beacon Hill Park

Gates at Pkols Park (Mount Douglas) with stylized leaf
Here is an example of a detail intended to make something less obvious. This is the view the walker sees of the Clover Point sewage pumping station if they walk the path below the building. Access doors have been covered with some type of exterior sheeting that replicates the design of the rock facing of the pumping station, so the whole facade is more attractive to the passer-by.

These Sea-Cans at the back of the Legislature have been masked with a cedar hedge.

Here is another example of how a designer has solved a tricky problem: how to visually hide a bank of gas meters, and protect them at the same time.
This installation provides the building address, but it also servies a function. Hidden behind the concrete installation are a bank of gas meters. (Note the use of the iron for the sign. There are many examples of iron used like this in Victoria, and I'll be doing a post some time about it.)

These are the gas meters which are hidden by the installation in the previous photo. 

And one more example of "masking", but in this case, a blank wall at the back of a business is transformed so it is no longer a blank wall.
The back exterior wall of Roger's Chocolates on Gordon Street. This addition over the brick serves to transform a monotonous wall, and also achieves some advertising in an understated way.

Many of my foregoing examples have muted colours. Readers know I always appreciate colour, so here's an example of detail from a bike rack which makes the rack more interesting, and brightens the landscape.
Colourful bike rack with stylized leaf, near Yates Street market

And how about what is below our feet, as we walk along the street? I have found many examples in Victoria of small things which add up to a sense of aesthetics and caring for the place we live in. 

I'll start with a couple of examples of amazing tree grates I 've discovered in the downtown.
Tree grate with intricate circle design
Another attractive tree grate, this one with a delicate leaf design

This grate is for a tree so small it can barely be seen behind the black metal protective surround. What intrigued me was the design that has been added of the old bicycle. This is in the "Hudson District", the area of redevelopment of the old Bay site in downtown Victoria. The theme of "vintage" is repeated in many elements throughout the development.

Moving from tree grates to some of the work that has been done to create pedestrian areas on some of the quieter downtown streets. The design of brickwork in the street works in subtle areas ways for pedestrians to feel more comfortable using the street. They do not have to walk only on the sidewalk.

Unusual mosaic design inlaid into the pavement, Broad Street.

Intricate design of paving stones and brick work, also on Broad Street. Note how the vehicle parking spots are located off the asphalt, on brickwork.

And now for something unique which I had never seen before: Victoria's purple prism basement ceilings in several sidewalks downtown.

Sidewalk outside the Yarrow Building, Broughton Street. The basement of the building extends under the sidewalk; the glass tiles in the sidewalk allow light to penetrate. These date from 1909.

Detail of the glass tiles. The City has a project underway on Broad Street to restore the basement of the Yarrow Building which used these unusual sidewalk tiles to let light into the basement.

There is a thorough story on Victoria's purple prism ceilings by Janis Ringuette, who has written extensively about the city's history, at https://beaconhillparkhistory.org/streetscapes/topics/prisms.htm

I showed a picture of a waste receptacle in Chinatown earlier. Here's how the sidewalk looks:

This is attention to detail. The intricate design of the inlaid bricks has a hint of Chinese written characters, and helps contribute to the sense that this is a unique and special area. The choice of colour for the bricks, which ties in the building facade, also helps. And I like the other touches, like the lampposts, and the texture and shape of the planters.

Whenever I walk by the Union Club I enjoy its wealth of details which add to the imposing sense that the Club is a significant place.

I like the details of the arched window -- the complex design of the brickwork above the arch, the round insert which looks to be marble, and the final touch of the "UC".

One more photo from the Union Club, showing the fine detail of the ornate sculpting.
Even the planters continue the theme of the Greek-like finish.

I've focussed mostly on public installations in this post, but private spaces also are important contributors to Victoria's aesthetic sense. Here are just a couple to give examples of what I mean.

Detail from stone pillar outside a home in Fairfield. Now this is attention to detail!


Another private building, also in Fairfield. The detail of the green lights with the red doors provides a satisfying balance of colour and design. And I liked the stained glass window, with the wrought iron gate.


I promised at the beginning that I would also talk about paying attention to the function of space, as well as its aesthetics. That will be the subject of a future post. 

I hope you have enjoyed my brief exploration of how details make a difference in our enjoyment of  the urban landscape.