The VCC Garden Project

The first drafts of our feasability report are finally underway! We have the research, we have the professional opinion, we have a design, now all we need to do is put it to words!

Evan has been hard at work this past week putting together the SketchUp model of our team’s initial “optimal design”. We chose to illustrate our design using Google SketchUp, creating a very visually appealing, and scale accurate, model.

Our design encorporates a three-teir system, with a wheelchair accessible ground level, and two raised upper levels. Retaining walls will not exceed more than 4 feet in height, so as to eliminate the need to hire a Structural Engineer. Each level is approximately 9 feet deep, with slope distances stretching about 6.5 feet between each level.

As illustrated by the textures seen in the model, the first set of retaining walls will be made of gabion blocks. This provides extra slope stabalization.

The two upper level retaining walls have been designed with wooden supports. Each level features 3 feet of planter boxes on either side of a 3 foot pathway.

The concrete stairs seen at the side of the slope are pre-existing, but, as the levels are built up, a wooden stairway will be built to provide safe access to the upper tiers.

Overall, our garden could encorporate upwards of 30 plots. Levels could be built on a need-basis, with upper teirs being added as the demand for plots – or the gathered funds necessary to finanace their construction – increases.

The garden has been designed to be functional, accessible, cost efficient, sustainable, and easily maintained. Utilities needed to maintain the garden – such as a water supply – can be tapped from the neighboring building (whose outer wall can be seen on the right hand side of the above picture), and tools can be stored either under planter boxes or in a seperate storage space.

Larger versions of the pictures seen in this post can be found here:

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632881870573/)

Up to this point, our research has been largely based in indpendent internet research and professional opinion. Over the past several weeks, we have been researching community gardens in the Vancouver area, looking at common materials used, average material costs, and options for construction strategies.

We have been in contact with Nate Begin, M. Land Arch, B. Land Hort, owner of Pure Landscapes. Pure Landscapes is an award-winning Vancouver-based Landscape Construction company (www.purelandscapes.ca). Mr. Begin has taken a look at the pictures we provided of the potential garden site, and given us estimates on what types of materials would be best suited for our situation and what their approximate costs would be for the given site paramaters, as well as explained which types of construction would warrant the need for further engineering investigation.

We have also been in contact with Jeremy Miller, principal landscaper and owner of Houston Landscapes. One of the most reputable Vancouver-based landscaping companies, Houston Landscaping (www.houstonlandscapes.ca) provides both residential and commercial landscaping services. Mr. Miller has also given us his opinion on what our best choice for materials, complete with cost estimates, would be for our given site.

And finally, Grant Cameron of Beaver Landscape Ltd. has offered to meet with us and answer any of our questions in a question-and-answer period. (http://www.beaverlandscape.com/)

We are currently attempting to communicate with various on-campus groups, such as the Student Union and Sustainable Food Club. In addition, the manager of the neighboring co-op has agreed to speak with us regarding their community garden.

A basic Google SketchUp model has also been created using the site drawings provided by VCC, and meetings have been scheduled with a Landscape Architecture student at the University of British Columbia to discuss viable design options. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632871312700/)

A cost estimate, based on unit price estimates, and a construction timeline is already underway, and will be altered as more design elements and options become clear.

Over the next few weeks, as we begin to assemble our final report, we will be cross-referencing all the material we have gathered regarding cost and materials with interest and potential use to determine a final statement on the projects feasbility.

On February 13, 2013, Bahareh journeyed to VCC’s Broadway Campus to adminster a semi-spoken survey in order to assess the level of interest amoungst VCC students regarding an on-campus community garden. Due to lack of interest in answering the survey itself, fewer surveys were adminstered than originally expected. An adequate sample size was still acheived, however, with 28 people participating overall.

Of the people who were surveyed, it was found that staff were generally much more interested in, and supportive of, the idea. And although many of the students who agreed to respond to the survey were supportive of the idea, some rejected the proposal.

In our final report, we will address the data found more in-depth, and use the information to help create a final verdict regarding overall project feasability on the basis of public interest.

A copy of the survey questions can be found on the “Survey” page. The results of the survey will be released in more detail on this page soon.

A copy of the Terms of Reference submitted to the Client can be found on the page “Terms of Reference”.

“Vancouver Community College serves a diverse urban community by providing excellent programs and services that prepare learners for ongoing education, direct entry into employment, career advancement, and greater participation in the community.”

(http://www.vcc.ca/about-vcc/governance/college-profile.cfm)

On January 21, 2013, we held our first meeting with our client, Wendy Avis, head of the Vancouver Community College’s Environment and Sustainability Department. We met at the VCC Broadway Campus, where we were able to walk around and photograph the potential project site and discuss the details of the proposed project.

We have been asked to investigate, on behalf of the VCC Environmental Department, the possibility of building and maintaining a community garden on a slope at the south end of the VCC Broadway Campus. Our goal with this project is to create and administer a Feasibility Report, discussing the potential for a community garden at this location. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632871274336/)

In the past few months, Vancouver Community College has put a big push on their environmental initiatives, striving to achieve a more sustainable campus. A community garden would not only prove beneficial to the student body and useful to those students looking for a cheap, safe area to grow a few extra veggies, but help take the school to a new level of environmental awareness.

Ideally, the garden would be used by VCC students, who would be able to rent plots for a reasonable rate either through a student society or through the school itself. Throughout our study, we will be investigating:

• Who exactly would be permitted to use the garden space, who would be in charge of maintaining and renting the plots, and other rules and regulations that would need to be implemented in order to promote a clean, healthy space for all to use.
• What range of interest there already exists amoung students at VCC. This will be achieved through the implementation of an open survey, which will be developed and delivered by our group members.
• The potential cost of the project in the format of a detailed budget plan, taking into consideration landscaping costs, construction and labour costs, and material costs. We have been advised that this project, should it proceed, would be one of a limited budget, and thus should consider and suggest the most cost efficient solutions.
• Any construction process details, based on the building materials and equipment that will be needed to complete the project. This will include creating a thorough construction timeline, materials inventory, and budget analysis.
• Suggestions and recommendations regarding the best way to build, maintain, and operate the garden, as well as a list of the potential benefits from the establishment of a communal garden, and multiple design proposals.

We plan on working with a variety of different groups at VCC, and in the Vancouver area, to fully investigate our options and achieve our goals. This includes:

• The Campus Cafeteria Manager, regarding the possibility of using food grown in the community garden in the cafeteria
• The VCC Sustainable Food Club, who would potentially show a great interest in growing sustainable foods in the garden, as well as providing maintenance.
• The VCC Student Union, who could potentially manage and monitor the garden.
• The China Creek Housing Co-op (located directly beside the VCC Broadway Campus), regarding the success of their shared garden on the neighboring slope, as well as any suggestions and tips for success and cost efficiency. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632866772477/)

At the end of the project, we will publish our findings in a Final Report, which will be submitted to the client, as well as to the course instructors. In addition to this report, we also plan on submitting computer-generated models representing a 3D image of the proposed garden. Wendy has agreed to provide site drawings in order for us to do this.

A more comprehensive list of what will be covered within the scope of this project will be detailed in the Terms of Reference. A Terms of Reference will be drawn up prior to February 7, 2013 and sent to the Client once the document has been approved by the class administrators.

We are very excited to see where this project takes us, and are enthusiastic about creating the most cost efficient and environmentally friendly solution possible!

Comissioned through the University of British Columbia’s CBEL (Community-Based Experiential Learning) Program, as a part of the CIVL400: Construction Engineering and Management cirriculum, we are a team of five civil engineering students who are very excited to be a part of this project. Over the course of the next several weeks, we will be putting together a feasibility study for Vancouver Community College’s Sustainability and Environment department, investigating the possibility of constructing an on-campus community garden for their Broadway campus.

But before we go into too much detail, we’d like to take this opportunity to introduce our team:

Esmaeili, Bahareh

Bahareh Esmaeili is 26 years old, and was born in Shiraz, Iran. She hails from a city that is most famous for its wine, but ironically, does not like wine herself. She is an energetic person, who always likes to make everyone happy and enjoys every moment of her life. She is an Architect, and was in her second year of post-secondary study in Iran when her family moved to Vancouver two years ago. Since, she has decided to change her major to civil engineering, and will begin her Master’s in Project and Construction Management next semester. She is interested in including sustainable roles into construction projects, and plans to be a project manager who leads her projects in the most sustainable fashion. Bahareh loves to hike, be in nature and rainy weather – the major reasons she is living in Vancouver!

Macsporran, Fraser

Fraser Macsporran is 20 years old and currently in his third year of study in civil engineering. He is studying his third year at the University Of British Columbia, on a year exchange from the University Of Glasgow in Scotland. He is passionate about his chosen career path and eager to grow within the discipline. Fraser spends his summers working at a summer camp in Virginia, USA as a sailing and climbing instructor. In returning to the University Of Glasgow at the end of this term, he hopes to take with him the valuable lessons learned from a year spent abroad and continue to progress his personal and professional development in any way possible.

 Noël, Christina

Christina Noël is a third year environmental civil engineering student at UBC. Born and raised in Kamloops, BC, it was the Thompson Rivers University Annual Popsicle Stick Bridge Building Contest which initially inspired Christina to pursue civil engineering on a post-secondary level. After graduating in 2010, she completed her first year of studies at TRU, with their First Year Engineering Transfer Program, before transferring to UBC in September 2011. Inspired by a summer literally spent knee deep in a variety of landfills, Christina hopes to pursue a future career in solid waste management. In her spare time, Christina enjoys being involved with the UBC Civil Engineering Club, and volunteering with the Girl Guides of Canada organization as a Brownie Leader.

Peatt, Evan

Evan Peatt is a third year civil engineering student at UBC currently planning on specializing in structural applications. Originally reigning from Penticton, Evan spent his formative years at Penticton Secondary School where he played volleyball, performed music, cultivated beards, and learned a bit (he guesses). After high-school Evan spent a year studying at McGill before transferring to UBC, he proclaims the reason for this is that McGill doesn’t offer Co-op but insiders say the real reason is that he missed his mother. Evan is looking forward to finding creative, cost-effective, sustainable solutions to the design challenges that lie, ahead as-well-as working with, and enjoying the company of, his new group mates.

Wu, Hua

Hua Wu is a third year civil engineering student at UBC, hailing from China. His favourite sport is soccer and he is a big fan of Steven Gerard. In civil engineering, he is most interested in Structural Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, and isn’t fond of Materials related courses, because there is a lot to memorize. Since his first language is not English, he feels challenged studying out of his country.  His favourite type of ice cream is green tea and chocolate.