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davcocom said:
Is there anything we can do to change that? Maybe messaging the city council or the Edmonton Design Committee can make a difference? We just need someone who cares to put some rules in place to enhance the overall architecture in the city, because it is inevitable that developers will try to cheap out to make better profits.
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It's very unfortunate that the development game has become a race to the bottom in terms of urban design. Now, we have a situation where the most effective way to see higher-quality designs is for land values (and therefore prices) to increase, which is also a bad thing on its own.

I agree that Edmonton can and should have higher architectural standards, though. I'm just not quite sure what mechanism we should use for this. Maybe a zoning bylaw change?
 
Platinum107 said:
I agree that Edmonton can and should have higher architectural standards, though. I'm just not quite sure what mechanism we should use for this. Maybe a zoning bylaw change?
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A Design Review Board with more teeth and much larger incisors! Something like that is bound to come if developers can't control their greed urges. This is an extremely sad state of affairs for Edmonton. Another thing that would help is an in-City school of Architecture that -- as one aspect -- shows and debates urban development, shaming the greedy into showing more respect for the City. Urban Residential has now become the weakest form of Architectural Expression in the City with only a few bright spots here and there. Another thing that might help is a "Rotten Tomatoes"-like Public Review entity assigning "value numbers" to projects -- North Yard Development gets a "10" (out of 100).
 
archited said:
A Design Review Board with more teeth and much larger incisors! Something like that is bound to come if developers can't control their greed urges. This is an extremely sad state of affairs for Edmonton. Another thing that would help is an in-City school of Architecture that -- as one aspect -- shows and debates urban development, shaming the greedy into showing more respect for the City. Urban Residential has now become the weakest form of Architectural Expression in the City with only a few bright spots here and there. Another thing that might help is a "Rotten Tomatoes"-like Public Review entity assigning "value numbers" to projects -- North Yard Development gets a "10" (out of 100).
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Both having a School of Architecture here and value number system are good practical ideas that could help improve things. The latter would make it easier to compare and evaluate projects.
 
Just wondering what's going on the kitty corner lot to SE from this one (parking lot just north of McEwen Allard Hall)?
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So if this isn't Westrich, where is the piece of land Westrich bought in the area? Or do they not have anything around here.... #confused
 
I think it’s interesting to see that overall, Westrich’s 6-storey buildings aren’t their most appealing work, especially compared to the much stronger design of their high-rises. It makes me wonder if their partnership with the current architecture firm is holding them back, and they should reconsider and find a better provider. Cuz we all love to see new developments popping up, and they are giving us that... but some of them just make you
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Didama said:
Ok now I'm even more confused. Ian seemed to indicate that it was in fact not Westrich. Anyone know for sure? I assume Ian does, but maybe he would prefer not to take ownership of this abomination.... lol
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Westrich doesn't own it right now (Atco does) but they could certainly sell it to them upon completion, and there's also the subdivision notice mentioned earlier that apparently had Westrich listed as the applicant....
 
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