We are 3oo dpi studios.
Welcome to our journey to making Dipnet Park!
Process
We also found that this area is in dire need of some community connection.
Vision Statement
With a sensitivity for the rapid change and development occurring at this site, we strive for our park to be a place that celebrates the tapestry of ages, cultures, and ecologies surrounding the park. We acknowledge our reliance on our ecosystems’ health and strive to centre nonhuman experiences through climate-resilient design. This will cultivate opportunities for moments of play, contemplation and cultural connection with humans as part of the natural world.
Guiding Principles
We created guiding principles based on this statement, and reframed them to centre ecology.
Below is a “family tree” of our design process, and how it got to where it is today.
Key takeaways from our process:
- Largely forested to resolve heat islands
- Former marsh – water as a key feature
- Community programming and placemaking is key
- Reaching down, meeting up!
Through our process, we developed a toolkit that reflected how we might incorporate our guiding principles into our final design.
We once again integrated these toolkits to centre ecology.
Introducing Dip Net Park – Programming through Plan, Axonometric & Perspective
We decided to lean into our ecologically minded guiding principles more with our final design. Some key features of our design:
- “Riding the serpent’s back” on the ridge between forest and social areas
- Large portion of park now forested with native species
- Diversity of plant ecozones for optimal habitat
- Play throughout design
- Friendly for all ages
- Almost no removal of existing trees!
- Soil sourced on-site
Perspective 1a & 1B – Community Café
Perspective 2 – Green Roof
Perspective 3 – Playing on the Serpent’s Back
Perspective 4 – Dipping Nets by the Treehouse
Perspective 5 – Underneath the Platform
Perspective 6 – Lounging by the Marsh
Perspective 7 – Gathering in the Forest
Topography – Model, Drainage
Plan View
Axonometric
Planting & Material Design – Ecologically Minded, Experientially Grounded
Planting
Goals
- Native
- Supports local biodiversity
- Cultivating micro-ecosystems
- Visual appeal
- Resilience appropriate to programming
Deciduous Trees
Coniferous Trees
Forest Understory
Marsh
Greenroofs
Community Garden Beds & Pollinator Meadows
Sections
Materials
Goals
- Minimal ecological impact
- Accessible to a range of ages
- Harmonizes with surrounding planting
Section
Sections
Housing Habitat – Creating a Home for Critters & Community with Ecosystem Zones
With posts, we combine wayfinding with increased awareness of the flora and fauna that coexist with the human visitors in the ecosystem zones across the park.
Post Locations
Community Garden
Green Roof
Forest
Marsh
Pollinator Meadow
Final Thoughts
If we were to take this further…
- Consider integrating this park into a greater green rainwater infrastructure plan
- Consider collaborations with the community on making the place a space of their own alongside ecological growth – what might this look like?
