[archited]

Picking up the thread...
One of the major points in revitalizing Alberta Avenue is the notion that it has continually filled the role of initiating immigrants into the Edmonton community and, in that regard, I believe that some of the block termination projects should be reserved for specific cultural groups reflecting upon their current and historical importance in that role.
Idea #8 -- attention paid to immigrants from the Indian sub-continent. This venue should not compete with individual retail and hospitality projects that could grow on the street adjacent to a block termination project. The structure, architecturally speaking, could be a mashup of British Raj architecture maintaining the turn-of-the-century (19th to 20th) character that we would be promoting along the Avenue. The attractions within the structure would highlight various broad categories of entertainment, including appropriately-scaled sports such as Pehllwani wrestling, Kabaddi, Badminton, Mallakhamb, and Kalaripayattu (the father of all martial arts); various Dance and Vocal styles, including Bhangra (dance), Bharatanatyam (dance), and Kuchipudi (dance plus singing); Classical music in the form of Hindustani Classical music, Carnatic Classical Music and Indian Folk Music; and Exhibitions of Traditional Indian Art. Internally, large LCD/LED video panels could broadcast Darbar Youtube Channels when other events don't call for specific theme uses. We could engage the Council of India Societies of Edmonton as a resource to bring relevant acts from India to make the facility world-class both in terms of usage and the quality of acts performing therein -- certainly local groups could also engage their respective talents in demonstration as well. We could source Bollywood Production Houses to fill vacant entertainment slots with main-line films -- production houses such as Yash Raj Films, UTV Motion Pictures LTD., and Eros International to name a few. We could add some interest with "behind-the-glass" store-front "happenings" heralding special events -- depicting India street performances, we could feature snake-charmers, local musicians, dancers, organ grinders, and other artists of assorted genres. We could also license a unique fleet of electric 3-wheel rickshaws that could operate within the Alberta avenue purview --

 

[archited]

Idea #9 -- Staying with the immigrant theme we could next promote MENA -- the Arab world of Middle East North Africa. Historically, poetry and story-telling have been significant to the Arab population. Stage reenactments of Mu'allaqat and One Thousand and One Nights would set the stage for broader participation by locals and internationals alike in Poetry Slams and Rap-stylings. And in that vein we are then able to make connections to musical traditions including the practice of rhythm-keeping with a drum or oud in accompaniment to poetry reading. More elaborate musical pieces composed of jins or unique Arabic scales feature group ensembles and instrumentation employing the playing of qanún, rabab, nay, violin, riq, and dumbek. And, accompanying different Arabic music genres, are a panoply of dance styles (some regional in origin), the most popular of which is the Raqs Sharqi or Belly Dance. The street-facing glass enclosure could highlight this dance form and its variations with musical accompaniment as an introduction to the main-line shows within the block termination structure, shows that could feature imported professional ensembles. There is one sport that stands out in terms of performance within a smaller enclosed structure -- that being Carrom -- a billiard-like custom board where the balls are replaced with round discs flicked into corner pockets using a "shooter" disc. The architectural make-up of the block termination structure would employ themed Arabic detailing -- the horseshoe arch, the delicately carved (replicated in a modern idiom by machine-borne CNC routers) honeycombed dome (murqarnas), mural compositions in mosaic tiles, boldly patterned iconic floor tiles, and richly coloured fabrics. The architecture could be highlighted by a mini Moorish garden running perpendicularly across the Avenue.

(

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(Upper photo courtesy BBC (Madrid period Moorish Architecture); lower photo Dezeen Magazine)

 

[archited]

Idea #10 -- the southern part of China and the City of Hong Kong are dominated by Cantonese, both in language and in culture. Since the transfer of Hong Kong from British protectorate to Chinese rule, there has been an exodus from the country (with a lot of money in tow as well). The influx into the Alberta Avenue area of Edmonton from this emigration has been exaggerated from an immigrant perspective. So, to have a Cantonese, specifically, representation here is ideal for the overall AA concept. Architecturally, Cantonese or Lingnan classical style, like other types mentioned previously, has some very distinctive and interesting detail aspects that can fit into the period era and push the envelope for cultural representation -- predominance of relief cavings and sculpture (CNC manufactured in our case), predominance of balconies and verandas, and the use of subdued colours, particularly light green and off-white shades with strong red accents. Too, the intense small gardens could fit into an interior portion of the building. Culturally, there are these notables: 1. Gung Fu (Cantonese pronunciation) method of exercise and self-expression combined with self defense (potential window display), 2. Music styles that include Guangdong Folk Operas, employing unique instruments such as gaohu, ruan, qinqin, yangqin, sanxian, and yehu ; Si Doi Kuk (a fusion of Cantonese opera and early jazz); and Macanese (a fusion of Cantonese and Portuguese Folk) -- all of these could be well represented in concert formats importing acts from China, and 3. Expressive Dance modes also built around Folk Opera memes -- the most expressive of which is the Lion Dance.
With just the three immigrant representations presented so far it is easy to see how the Alberta Avenue immigrant culture expression could benefit the area and turn it into (over time) a world-class destination. There are many more expressions related to other immigrant formations and those will be noted in succession.

 

[archited]

Idea #11 -- Another large immigrant group comes from the Philippines. U.S. direct influence on the nation lasted from 1902 until 1946 a period when the country was essentially under "protectorate" status. Consequently, English is a common language on the islands and many immigrants are conversant in English (at least as a second or third language after Tagalog and Spanish). Bahay na bato is the name of the architectural style from the relevant turn-of-the-Century period for Alberta Avenue -- a hybrid of Austronesian, Spanish, and Chinese influences. Replicable Detail Elements include an overhanging upper storey supported by stone columns, a Chinese tiled roof, and a rectilinear base plan. Rondalla and Kumparsa are two forms of traditional Filipino Music. Rondala is a form brought to the Philippines from Spain --

-- that brings a melange of stringed instruments together in a concert type format. Kumparsa is a more colloquial style, perhaps more akin to American Bluegrass in style and instrumentation. Both forms have a professional representation that can be brought to an Alberta Avenue stage -- that and accompanying folk dances.

 

[archited]

Idea #12 -- now this might be my favorite venture. I had, growing up in the Alberta Avenue precinct, many friends and school acquaintances who were of the Ukrainian persuasion. This culture is already well represented in the Edmonton area what with the presence of the Ukrainian Village complex (which I have visited many times over the years), the Vegreville Pysanka (of national note) in Vegreville and some of my favorite in-town eateries (if they are still there). We could create a permanent performance area for both the Shumka and the Volya dancers, for all of the Ukrainian artifacts that were destined for the Pendennis Hotel building before that museum deal disintegrated and for the art of noted Edmonton individuals such as Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn -- https://ukreations.ca/collections/art-by-larissa.

 

[archited]

Idea #13 -- next the German Group -- ach du lieber! I lived in Germany for four years so this concept, if realized, would also be dear to my heart. The German state has many local variations with the most fun-loving in my estimation being those in the Southern half of the Country -- specifically Bavaria (Ein Zwei G'Suffa). One of the more entertaining dances comes in the form of Schuhplattler -- leather slapping lederhosen, thighs and shoe soles -- all while Steining copious amounts of bier (the more bier, the better the dancing becomes and it is more and more difficult to avoid smiling).

the playfulness and upbeat colours of Bavarian architecture...

 

[archited]

Idea #14 -- honouring le français, about 50% of the "french" population consists of migrants from other provinces and 25% immigrants from outside the country, the remainder made up of post-first-generation Albertans. The French heritage is strong, Alberta holding the largest francophone population in western Canada and the 4th largest nationally after Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick. About 1/2 of French-speaking immigrants are from North and Central Africa with most of the rest from Europe. I state this because there then is not a uniform model to draw from in terms of a francophone cultural expression -- and that is a good thing not a bad thing. Inarguably, Paris is the focus of the French "empire" such as it exists today and, through the period that is expressed in the early 1900s, the most notable architecture of the period relates to a kind of industrial expressionism exemplified by structures such as the Gallery of Machines and the Eiffel Tower (Paris Universal Exposition), the latter an international landmark. Those are the models that would define the detail character of an Alberta Avenue French Pavilion. With that edifice as a universal base, then, we would try to capture all of the empirical substance of French-ness in art, music, dance, and theatre.

Photo of le Gallerie des Machines

 

[archited]

Idea #15 -- I have been musing over the notion of honouring and respecting the one-time packing industry (second largest in North America behind Chicago) that resided on the Eastern Edge of the Alberta Avenue precinct and that employed so many of the immigrants that resided there in the early-to-mid 20th Century. And then an idea struck me. From a meat perspective, farming and ranching in Alberta is not only extensive but it is quite innovative. Besides herds of beef cattle (varieties like Hereford, Angus, and Charolais) there are also farms with more exotic animals grown for their meat flavors -- Buffalo, Elk, Yak, Caribou, Ostrich, Emu, and Rhea. Of course there are also sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas. On the Hog Industry side, wild Boars are gaining in popularity as a meat source and then there is a huge panoply of fowl examples ranging from ducks and geese to a variety of chicken types to pheasants and game birds. While an abattoir does not fit in with a modern Avenue concept, a Cooperative exchange might be very popular with tourists and locals alike. Imagine a structure that houses informative associations (e.g. the Elk Commission of Alberta) in publicly accessible kiosks; deli stations where product samples could be tried food-court-style; a product shipping platform that could send food samples across North America and around the globe (countries that would be open to such services); freezer and processing kitchens (essentially butcher shops); and government agency presence that helps promote the industry over all. There could be a strong tie-in to agriculture shows at the former Northlands Exposition sites.

 

[archited]

Idea #16 -- and continuing in the food tech space, and in support of Alberta's agricultural diversity, another hub could feature all non-meat farming endeavours. Indoor-grown vertical crops working towards experimental outcomes leading to food self-sufficiency (a large greenhouse structure) for the entire north-central part of the province could explore the propagation of tropical and sub-tropical plant species as well temperate food types that are not native to Alberta. A section of the facility could relate to historical First Nations crops that grow wild in Alberta, experimenting to see what unique concoctions might be derived therefrom. Bog and water plants, parkland and mountain berry-bearing plants, and native grasses could all provide fodder for experimentation and development of interesting combinations and derivatives of new food and drink types. Together with Idea #15 the two hubs could showcase the agricultural prowess of Alberta, seeking for secondary and tertiary industry "implants" that could move Alberta beyond the wholesale exportation of raw foodstuffs. The industry outcomes could supplant the inevitable loss of oil-patch incomes, making Albertans and tourists alike aware of a strong agribusiness economy.

 

[JNO1]

A fascinating series of posts @archited . I hope at least some of these ideas can come to fruition.
In terms of Idea #16, I stumbled upon news on this vertical farm in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Vertical Harvest

 

[archited]

Thanks for the link, @JN01 -- there is a huge focus on vertical farming and, therein, urban sustainability. Ag-tech and Food-tech are inter-supportive and Edmonton with its huge agricultural base and post-graduate focus (primarily from the University of Alberta) has a real opportunity to lead the way globally with research and concept implementation. The animal ranching/farming aspect figures into this as well. A TED talks youtube presentation

deals with desertification of agricultural lands and underscores the importance of maintaining grazing herds as a way to both reverse desertification and to stem global climate change. It is an extremely well researched presentation and well worth watching to see the importance of agricultural land preservation. And, as food-tech becomes more urbanized, the need for land-use rotation is becoming ever more cycle-able from a practical sense. The import for this on the Alberta Avenue "project" with its mid 20th-century industrial prowess in meat items production makes it a perfect complement in the furtherance of the science behind agriculture.
My delineation of Alberta Avenue "possibilities" is also relevant from a community-building aspect. On other threads in Skyrise I have written about the pressing need for Edmonton to develop Communities. Here is an analogy...
Mr and Mrs X have just bought a new house and in the main living space they have placed a large beautiful painting on one wall. Everyone who has recently visited the Xs has agreed that the painting is very engaging, highly colorful, and has very subtle social undertones -- an exceptional work of art! But as much as this piece of art engages the viewer, the room itself feels barren and devoid of any purpose other than observing and admiring the painting. There is a sofa and some chairs, so visitors can sit; there are a couple of plants in each of the corners of the room so the space is well occupied with "things". But other than the conversation that the painting provides there is no other impetus for activity.
The foregoing is analogous to Edmonton's prime problem as a City. There are lots of beautiful objects in the form of structures but nothing ties them together in a manner that engages people on the streets around them. And we can't rely on the City to resolve this situation -- the talent doesn't reside there. We have to make it happen contra the City's efforts.
I really appreciate those who have made the effort to comment on the Alberta Avenue thread.

 

[archited]

Idea #17 -- Another industry that would be well suited to Alberta Avenue relates to the building profession, particularly in the realm of the softwoods platform of possibilities. Edmonton has a "foot in the door" as it relates to glue-laminated timber -- I recently spoke with one of the principals at Western Archrib in Edmonton re a project that I am working on in SoCal. But besides glulam there are dozens of other capabilities that could make use of timber products in development and in research alike. Scientific American published an article a little over two years ago underscoring the possibilities for densified wood that is stronger than steel -- https://www.scientificamerican.com/...-speeding-bullet-mdash-it-rsquo-s-super-wood/ -- and Cross Laminated Timber use in North America is starting to make significant inroads as a structural system that is both inexpensive and green-way sustainable. And, very recently, researchers at the University of British Columbia developed an algorithm that when applied to the cutting of wood studs enabled them to be bent into curvilinear shapes --

https://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/r-d-awards/award-zippered-wood-twists-the-standard-2x4-to-craft-new-forms_o

. All of these applications are most naturally suited to softwood lumber use. The idea, then, would be to create a hub for demonstration of Alberta wood products (the hinterland of which is mostly north and west of Edmonton). The building, in form and purpose, itself could demonstrate these uses.

 

[archited]

Idea #18 -- I know, you thought I had given up on this thread. On the contrary, I was distracted by day-to-day business. I am thinking back now to my days at NAIT and the University of Alberta. Some of the most joyous party events revolved around West Indian cultural blow-outs (and I do mean blow-outs!). These parties were cross-cultural, playing off island memes that included -- in particular -- Jamaica, Grenada (home island of my best friend, Oliver Bullen), and Trinidad and Tobago (and other Caribbean islands to a lesser degree). On the music side we have Reggae, Ska, and (particularly interesting from an ethnic perspective) Calypso...

listen to the lyrics carefully and you will learn that Calypso in this instance (and generally) was a somewhat camouflaged protest song related to U.S. occupation of the islands. At best we can re-invigorate Canadian presentation of Caribbean Island culture (as diverse as it is) including European Colonial styles of architecture in a Canadian context...
(enclosed in a glass dome)

 

[archited]

Idea #19 -- Following up on the Provincial industrial possibilities that are obvious to some in the Alberta future-economy, a pavilion could be developed on the east end of the Alberta Avenue development that would showcase all of the elements that would be off-shoot products of a hydrogen economy -- as underscored in the write-ups on this site -- https://skyrisecities.com/forum/threads/edmonton-and-the-hydrogen-economy.31794/ :
1. Fueling stations -- it doesn't appear that hydrogen fuel cells will be able to catch up to electric car uses, but it is still in the running for other types of transportation -- replacing diesel locomotives on cross country train systems, development of large-scale machinery, trucks and buses (farm equipment, city and intercity motor-coaches, construction equipment, and long-haul and short-haul semis and delivery vans).
2. Jet propulsion and electric conversion for small-scale aircraft -- a non-polluting source of jet fuel (when hydrogen oxidizes it forms water and an increase of water in the atmosphere is a good thing not a bad thing) and the demand could grow exponentially over the next 50years such that other forms of jet fuel would be eliminated. Since hydrogen is one of the lightest elements (right next to helium on the periodic chart), it would also be ideal as a battery/generator for electric propulsion of aircraft (part of Edmonton's ERiTH -- the conversion of the Coliseum and attendant area to a transportation hub). In concert with EIA, Edmonton could lead the way in development of a Canadian aero-space industry (perhaps centered around Cold Lake and the airbase situated there).
3. Fertilizers and Coolants -- propelling Alberta's agri-economy especially in contained vertical farming -- "The most important hydrogen-nitrogen compound is ammonia (NH3), also known as azane."(Hydrogen/Europe website). Nitrogen comprises about 78% of the earth's atmosphere so creating NH3 is not a problem for Alberta in a hydrogen economy. This development in turn spawns potentials in sustenance for vertical farming needs (urban agriculture) and a broad range of food products that otherwise have to be imported from distant lands. Ammonia is also one of the best refrigerants due to its pliability with regards evapo-transference.
4. Industrial manufacturing -- metal alloying, glass production, and iron-ore reduction (improving the possibility for an industry centered around Peace River where iron extraction is viable and possible as a clean energy process).
There are many other applications -- all potentially being showcased on Alberta Avenue -- in an industry that spawns all manner of other offshoot manufactures that eliminate the transport of raw resources out of the Province, instead capitalizing on tertiary production and high quality value-added exports.
This would not only benefit Edmonton, but, off the top of my head, would also reinvigorate Grand Prairie/Peace River, Cold Lake and Wood Buffalo -- impelling a growing and stable long-range economy for the Province.

 

[northlands]

Wee Book Inn closes its 118th ave location

Wee Book Inn closing its 118th Avenue store is a reminder to support our local booksellers

The city has lost another bricks and mortar bookstore, and with it another place to browse, enlighten and — in a truly affordable way — negotiate with the dead, to …

edmontonjournal.com