On December 20, 2024, John MacDonald Architect (JMA) held a three hour design charrette (an intense collaborative design effort to produce and articulate ideas) for the Charles Street Bus Terminal site. The intention of this brief exercise was to imagine the possibilities and broaden the conversation in the community.
Visions were generated by four groups, each with three staff members and one community guest, as follows:
- Group 1 had Mila Wiggins, Maria Meli and Mitali Dembla from JMA and guest Kevin Curtis, with a background in planning and extensive knowledge of regional planning matters.
- Group 2 had Ashley Jardin, Esraa Saad and Scott Clark from JMA and guest Sandra Dunn, artist / blacksmith of Two Smiths in Kitchener.
- Group 3 had Scarlett Jang, Sulaf AlHusaini, John MacDonald from JMA and Tim Ingold, with expertise in local commercial real estate, with Coldwell Banker Realty.
- Group 4 had Viktoriia Antypova, Margaret Santos and Matthew Muller from JMA, and Barbara Schumacher, with a background in public health, and a promoter for regional environmental sustainability.
Each group was handed paper, pencils, crayons, markers and colourful blocks to develop and present an idea for the site, followed by a discussion.
Why did we hold a design charrette?
This site is located in the heart of Kitchener’s downtown, next to Victoria Park, a treasure to be proud of, and much enjoyed by local citizens and visitors alike.
Hot Button Issues that could to be addressed with the development of this site include:
- The Climate Change Emergency
- The present Housing Crisis
- The need for Green and Recreational Space in Kitchener’s downtown
- Advancing efforts for Truth and Reconciliation
This site has the potential to be part of the solution.
We can see the site from our office, and can’t help thinking about how the site could be transformed. We hosted the charrette to contemplate the possibilities.
We don’t have any connections to the current process that is being undertaken by the Region or the City. We simply held this charrette because we are interested. The intention is to further the conversation in the community.
The four proposals could be classified into two visions:
Vision 1: Bringing Vitality to the Surrounding Streets
Three proposals (Groups 1, 2 and 4) were about building on the site, in such a way that it split the site into smaller components. Towards Ontario Street, they proposed both residential and commercial use. Height would build up towards Charles & Ontario streets. At the Gaukel Street end, the site would be dedicated to mostly community, recreational and cultural uses. The visions for Groups 1, 2 and 4, even though they had some broad stroke commonalities, as described above, offered distinct ideas for how they would relate to the streetscape and to the community in general.
Vision 2: Extending the Park
One proposal (Group 3) was focused on extending Victoria Park onto this site. This would help address the shortage of green space in the growing urban core, with a highly functional park addition that can offer more than an isolated space in a less optimal location. A denser housing component at the corner of Ontario and Charles would contribute to the economic viability of this vision, additional another building at an intersection with multiple existing proposed taller developments.
Idea 1: Reinforcing Transitions took advantage of the existing strong axis on Gaukel, from Victoria Park to City Hall. It introduced a diagonal pedestrian access from the corner of Gaukel and Charles to Ontario and Joseph. The transition between spaces & uses relied on massing and the use of trees, as well as thoughtful programming. At the west end of the site, facing Gaukel, the programming was community driven, with cultural and green areas. A multi-use cultural space could support an outdoor theatre, art gallery, as well as a community swimming pool, to be enjoyed by residents and downtown dwellers. Towards the east end of the site, a mix of low and high residential and commercial uses were proposed.
To green the site, rooftop gardens, viewed as an extension of the park, would be available to the public. For private enjoyment for residents, additional outdoor space would be located within the block. Transition between areas would be articulated with thoughtful tree planting. Commercial spaces on the ground floor of the residential buildings, are located where they can contribute to Ontario Street’s strong commercial activity. The possibility of underground parking access via tunnelling under Joseph Street, could relieve the site of the challenges of vehicle access that conflicts with existing LRT and cycling infrastructure.
To conclude, this proposal has a good balance between the urban scale of the downtown and the, community, cultural, residential and commercial uses within the site. It is considerate of the transitions between public and private areas, as well as pedestrian flow across the site.
How does this idea address the Hot Button Issues?
- The Climate Change Emergency: This vision is highly walkable, thanks to its central location and the creation of new pedestrian intersections. Trees & gardens would be an important piece to cool the outdoor environment.
- The present Housing Crisis: Approximately half of the site would be dedicated to various higher density residential types.
- The need for Green and Recreational Space in Kitchener’s downtown: Approximately half of the site would be dedicated to cultural and recreational spaces. New paths and thoughtful tree planting would increase the tree canopy.
Idea 2: A Strong Perimeter for Great Streets proposes recreational and community uses throughout the site, and residential uses on the east side of the block, above an expansive community centre. The desire to activate the streets, to offer amenity to downtown and block residents, and to green Gaukel Street drove much of the building form. This scheme is distinguished by a strong edge along the eastern perimeter of the site, consisting of the community centre, brownstone-style townhouses at Joseph and Charles, and other housing types. The residential component rises towards a mid-rise height at the interior of the site. Ideally, the Region of Waterloo would take the lead to offer housing for lower income residents as part of the mixed-income development. The indoor community centre would serve the growing downtown population by offering recreational amenities that don’t presently exist downtown, such as an indoor running track, pool, pickle ball courts, crafting-themed makerspace, additional indoor social and cultural space, etc.
A new green park space would become an outdoor community area at the west end of the site, which would activate Gaukel Street, with a small public dining pavilion, dedicated space for food trucks, and other attractions that are teen and youth friendly.
In conclusion, this proposal responds strongly to the adjacent streets, with a desire to improve and build upon what is already there. The residential and community uses are a great fit for the site’s adjacency to Victoria Park.
How does this idea address the Hot Button Issues?
- The Climate Change Emergency: The vision would create a more walkable downtown, with new amenities located within walking distance for more residents. Greening the area will help moderate the heat island effect.
- The present Housing Crisis: The addition of much-needed housing is central to this group’s vision. A mixed-income development would provide more housing options for more people.
- The need for Green and Recreational Space in Kitchener’s downtown: A community centre with spaces for athletic and cultural activities, and green outdoor community area, would be an asset for the growing downtown. Also presented is a perimeter that promotes street vitality.
Idea 3: Park Extension turns this site into an extension of Victoria Park, and brings more beauty to the downtown. Victoria Park has become very busy in recent years, coinciding with the intensification of the downtown and the general growth of the Region. The pressure on the park is now higher than it has ever been. This lot offers an excellent opportunity to extend the park. While there are other lots in the downtown area, including some that are City-owned, that can provide housing, this site is the only one with the potential to increase the size of Victoria Park.
Bringing the park closer to the downtown would make the downtown urban area much more attractive. The additional green space would support City of Kitchener festivals (Multicultural festival, Bluesfest, Oktoberfest, Kidspark and Christkindl), cultural activities on Gaukel and interesting urban recreational opportunities that align with the city’s goals to activate the downtown. This urban park, complete with attractive landscaping and architecture, will be the beauty of downtown Kitchener as well as a common space where people can assemble comfortably. An Indigenous Centre, located in a Pavilion, would be an attractive and valuable cultural space. Accessed from Gaukel Street, and visitable by the general public, the centre would offer educational opportunities around the Indigenous perspective of the park and its colonial past.
Given that high-rise buildings are proposed at the Charles & Ontario intersection, adding a residential tower to the fourth corner would not only contribute to a highly dynamic space, but also to the economic viability of the new park extension.
In conclusion, turning this lot into more parkland is a bold idea that would ameliorate the pressure on Victoria Park and add much needed park space to the growing downtown.
How does this idea address the Hot Button Issues?
- The Climate Change Emergency: More park land would help cool mitigate the urban heat, and could be used towards climate change adaptation.
- The present Housing Crisis: There is much land in the downtown area that could and should be used for housing. While expanded park space is a central idea to this vision, denser housing proposed on the corner of Charles and Ontario is a possibility to fund the park extension & additional amenities.
The need for Green and Recreational Space in Kitchener’s downtown: With an enlargement of the park, this would support more cultural and recreational activities and events.
Advancing efforts for Truth and Reconciliation: An Indigenous Pavilion with a strong connection to the park in a prominent location, would be ideal for an Indigenous community hub.
Idea 4: Maximize the Site proposes to divide the site in two with a new service lane. Located on the east side would be a variety of residential forms, while the west would provide community and commercial spaces, as well as subsidized housing, all while ensuring that everyone has good access to daylight and sunshine, as well as enjoyment of green space, through roof gardens, tree-lined streets, rain gardens and a food forest. The perimeter of the property intends to improve the streetscape, by providing front door access to individual tenancies, whether residential or commercial, as well as greening with rain gardens, and trees.
Various housing types are proposed, from brownstones along Joseph St. to a high-rise building on Ontario/Charles, with an outdoor courtyard for residents located above the parking garage which is accessed from the service lane. A diversity of housing types would support diversity of residents. In general, residential units with more bedrooms would found be on the lower floors, and as the number of bedrooms diminish, the higher they will be located. The reasoning behind this is that residential units that are closer to the ground are better able to support families with children. The parking lot across the Joseph Street could be converted into a community food forest for residents improving access to healthy food and stress-releasing activities around nature activities.
The west end of this block is driven by the desire to activate Gaukel Street further, to improve the connection with Victoria Park, by greening the space, and to support pedestrian-oriented micro-businesses. Larger tenants, such as an Indigenous Centre and a daycare would be located further behind and above the micro-businesses. A colonnade along Gaukel, with street facing entrances, would support micro businesses. Where Gaukel meets the park, there is a vision to make a great space that engages both street corners facing Joseph Street to bring the park higher up the street, and strengthen the Clock Tower / City Hall axis.
In conclusion, this proposal makes for a very busy and dynamic block that tries to improve the streetscapes and to further develop all the positive activities that are already there, while pushing for a greener and brighter environment.
How does this idea address the Hot Button Issues?
The Climate Change Emergency: Greening with rain gardens and trees, and passive energy devices, such as building orientation can contribute to climate adaptation. A variety of uses contributes to downtown walkability, and reduce car dependency.
The present Housing Crisis: A variety of high density residential types and a daycare centre support a diversity of residents throughout the site, including subsidized housing.
The need for Green and Recreational Space in Kitchener’s downtown: This proposal strengthens the connection between Gaukel Street and the park, and would add a building front that is deeply connected to cultural, commercial and recreational activities along Gaukel.
Advancing efforts for Truth and Reconciliation: An Indigenous Centre would be a vehicle to improve the connection between Gaukel Street and the park.
Massing Diagram 1: Street Vitality
Massing Diagram 2: Park Extension
What do you think?