The goal of the space assessment is to understand how the physical spaces of the 5 buildings of Collingwood Village can provide further opportunities to maximize social interactions between residents. The assessment provides guidance on how various spaces can be activated and transformed into places for interactions between three different realms: (1) opportunities to socialize with the community; (2) opportunities to socialize with neighbours; and (3) opportunities to socialize with close friends and family. This assessment was conducted through a combination of analyzing architectural drawings and in-person site assessments of the spaces.
General recommendations for all buildings at Collingwood Village:
Lounges: The lounge provides opportunities for residents to meet with neighbours. By adding small features to encourage people to pause and interact, along with varied and flexible activities, the lounge can become an important social hub and the centre of the social programming initiatives. Lounges can also serve as emergency preparedness hubs.
Laundry room: The laundry room is a space that all residents need to visit, so it provides opportunities to display information about potential social opportunities.
Residential corridors: Residential corridors provide opportunities for people to connect with their direct neighbours. In corridors with little additional space, consider interventions with minimal footprints. For example, art displays and shared community message boards can provide visual interest and boost sense of belonging.
Parkade: The parkade provides opportunities to make people feel safer through the inclusion of graphics, colours, and murals. An interactive and fun wayfinding system can give the parkade a unique sense of identity. Parkades can even be used as spaces to play games during the winter months.
External entrance: The external entrance provides the first interface between the building and the public realm. By providing seating or other points of interest, this space can become attractive for visitors and encourage them to pause and engage.
Lobby: The entrance lobby is a space that all residents circulate through. Art, plants and engaging passive activities can help make the lobby more welcoming and encourage residents to linger in the space, increasing their chances of meeting a neighbour.
Balconies: Balconies provide a valuable connection to public life, as well as access to fresh air and nature. They provide opportunities for residents to add a personal touch to the building.
Ground floor patios: Patios provide opportunities for residents to engage people who are walking by or using the courtyard. Residents can add a personal touch to their patio using art, plants, or other decorative elements. The use of these spaces can be extended into the rainy season through the use of umbrellas or other elements that provide both shelter and privacy.
The Bradford
The Melbourne
Fitness room: This space provides opportunities for physical activity. At the Melbourne, the proximity of the fitness room to the outdoor terrace provides the potential to expand programming. For instance, jump ropes or other fun ways to exercise on the terrace can allow families to stay active together.
Terrace & courtyard: This space is particularly attractive and can become a semi-private outdoor space dedicated to sports-related activities. For instance, it could include tips for runners, fitness articles, and information about a sports programming and nutrition.
Games room: The games room provides an opportunity to create a small-scale, shared space. It could be used as a small bookable meeting or study room, or a shared food pantry that could also include a board to share recipes.
The Remington
7th-floor outdoor terrace: The terrace provides a valuable connection to nature, which includes diverse plantings and seating, bee hives, and a BBQ. The terrace’s adjacency to the lounge provides additional opportunities for programming. Expanding the types of activities that people can participate in while on the terrace will increase its use.
7th-floor amenity room: The amenity room is an attractive space due to its large windows and proximity to the outdoor terrace. However, opportunities exist for additional programming. For instance, access to games, activities, or social clubs.
Wessex Gate & Earles Court
Outdoor patio beside lounge: The outdoor patio provides an underdeveloped opportunity for residents to sit and enjoy an intimate outdoor space, which overlooks the courtyard. A small-scale garden, or furniture that can be moved between the lounge and the outdoor patio could ensure residents can use the space to its full potential.
Laundry & Fitness: The laundry room is adjacent to the fitness facility. The laundry room is a space that everyone needs to use, so having the fitness facility next to it can encourage people to be active. For instance, a program could give free laundry time to people who participate in an exercise program.
