[archited]

vi) Games Hall. A large portion of sustaining income for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition would be derived from skill-based games (no games of chance) that serves the double-duty of entertaining a world-encompassing audience and advertising the Expo park at the same time. The Games Hall, then, would provide an on-site, first-hand opportunity to show how this international engagement is effective. It would enlist innovative minds to produce a slate of new and ever expanding challenges — some of which would surely ‘go viral’ — challenges that have First Nations themes and that bring to the forefront indigenous history and culture. Games would be accessed by priority apps that are patent and copyright protected. Prizes would draw from produced work that is showcased in the World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition — furthering the sales potential for featured works of artistic endeavor from all fields present in the exhibition. The games-developing team would draw from graduates of local universities including Athabasca University, the University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Concordia University, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Norquest College, and The King’s University, and from the campuses of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition would sponsor First Nations’ individuals from across North and South America to gain Game-developing skills at these institutions with the prospect of hiring them into the Expo organization upon graduation. Touch- screen computer interfaces positioned throughout the Games Hall would encourage visitors to the site to try out games first hand and provide feedback to our game-developing team.
vii) Education Centre and Daycare. The Education Centre and Daycare would engage trained professional teachers to provide onsite services for World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition employees, for work-engaged artists, and for adult students — all who may be in attendance in an on-going basis at the facility. The school would have pre-school, kindergarten, and elementary grades 1 through 6 at the Expo and the cost for this service wouldl be borne entirely by the institution. As well, visitors and outside classroom groups would be able to take advantage of “backroom” tours for children that are in the primary grades. Daytime “nap” rooms would be provided for young children. Also appropriately scaled lunch rooms, playrooms, gymnasiums and restroom facilities would be included in the overall plan.
viii) Management Centre and Public Services. The Management Centre would be the centrally located hub of the World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition and would include offices for specific area-managers and a general manager, for an accounting staff, for a promotions staff, and for staff that engages the public through various corporate and institutional interfaces. The office area would be built on a second- floor mezzanine platform that overlooks the rest of the facility.
ix) Retail/Hospitality Interstice. Running in the median space between all of the other functions, a boutique-scaled series of small shops and eateries would be the glue that binds the overall event space together. As this is meticulously and purposefully designed and built out, the character of the multifunctional fabric-building would be defined. And, as the shops and eateries are opened, the portable "train" units would be moved to another location on adjacent sites (the historical Power Plant Building, the Baseball Stadium and along the river-front trail), thereby expanding the scope and scale of the overall project, essentially doubling the retail/hospitality components of the Exposition.
The permanent shops would go to the most established of the indigenous entrepreneurial ventures, with the portable "train" modules taking on the newer and less well known ventures. Because the new shops are edge-defining for other functions, the paths they create would be meandering avenues, perfectly suited to the amorphous-oriented design talents of the lead architect, Douglas Cardinal and his team. The paths would employ symbology standards on inlaid floors and walls that orient the general public to the cultural design and character of the stores and food and drink services of adjacent businesses. A simple formula would bring the procession of shops and eateries into play with a concept that envisions 6 retail shops bounding 2 eateries with adjacent restroom areas and public seating placed in a common area in the “mall”. There would be no “food court” per se. Individual shops would be built out to specifications honoring the utility of each individual store; for example, a fashion boutique would employ the same high-tech fitting room/“magic mirror”/holographic display that was used in the "train" module, a pottery gallery would have tools and mechanisms that allow the “owner” to ply his/her trade on-site, etc. Interactive touch screens would enable public patrons the ability to review a craftsman’s work and download his/her catalogue on to their own smart devices. The shopping experience wouldl be engaging, entertaining, and high-tech in scope.

 

[archited]

2. An Indigenous Peoples’ Trade and Consular Building aligned with an adjacent Five-Star Hotel
In 2017 a study was undertaken to determine the viability of creating a very specialized and targeted concept that would provide nation-like status to indigenous groups throughout the Americas, North and South, and to determine the need/acceptance of a Trade and Consular building in Edmonton as part of a World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition. Seven positive replies were received in the initial survey, including Argentina, Guyana and Venezuela from South America and several Central American countries. Quoting from the Global Americans website — https://theglobalamericans.org/ — and an article titled ‘The indigenous in Latin America: 45 million with little voice’ written by Mercedes Hoffay and Sofía Rivas / August 31, 2016
“Latin America is home to over 800 different indigenous peoples, with a total population of 45 million people. In some countries, such as Bolivia or Guatemala, between 41 and 60 percent of the population is indigenous (depending on the statistic used). In Peru, around 26 percent of the population is indigenous and in Mexico 15 percent, though the latter has the largest absolute population of indigenous in the region with over 7.5 million.“
“Their population size raises a question: how well represented are they in elected office?”
“The answer: barely at all, and in many cases when they are elected to office, it’s because of specifically reserved seats.”
“The reasons are multiple—economic, geographic, organizational, and cultural—and point to the many ways governments, civil society and political parties will need to tackle this problem if democracy in the region is to address this severe representational imbalance.”
“Latin America’s indigenous peoples lag behind non-indigenous in terms of poverty, healthcare and access to justice. One example: on average, 43 percent of the indigenous peoples live in poverty (surviving on less than $4 a day) while only 21 percent of non-indigenous live on the same meager earnings in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru.”
While WInPEx can help to address the poverty question for a small number of artists of all stripes from the Americas, the notion of creating a representational Trade Office and an ethnocentric Consular Edifice that would work to recognize indigenous enclaves and support their causes for justice and equality is an important undertaking. Canada is a nation that is well positioned for this cause; in many ways it is leading the way for uplifting and recognizing First Nations’ rights and aspirations and, at the very least, has begun efforts to codify these into actionable efforts.
The task related to creating an Indigenous Peoples’ Trade and Consular Building is two-fold as the name implies. A place where artists can further in-depth exposure of their crafts (and the diversity here is magnificently broad and culturally intense) by way of international trade is one of the prime goals. A central location in the World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition would afford a gate into the realm of international tourism and, thereby, world-wide exposure. The centre would afford a direct link from Country and First Nations’ enclave into the retail and hospitality realm of the Expo pavilion. The Consular aspect of the proposed building would provide a head-of-government experience that enables a voice for the underserved indigenous community throughout the Americas and ultimately the world — their status would be elevated to near-nation prestige and prominence.
The building would respect its location adjacent to The Alberta Legislature Building and would grow out of an extension of the Legislature grounds and its park-like setting. There would be permanent space for myriad indigenous enclaves, some shared in group settings, others offering individual exposure to those whose realm is broad and well-defined. The structure would be well guarded and secure. An individual sanctuary would have these elements:
i) a public reception space that has soft seating and waiting-area appurtenances (self-serve drink dispensers; snack bars; etc.) and that doubles as a small gallery room featuring art and hand-crafts related to the occupants home-land.
ii) a secure meeting space as an adjunct to the reception space where gatherings can be held for up to a dozen attendees. The meeting rooms would be outfitted with the latest in communications technology, including digital screens, holographic screens, projectors, and AI and VR/AR appliances, thereby enabling direct communication with far distant homeland offices and service outlets and artists work spaces.
iii) private living and dining quarters that in the instance of group occupancy would be shared. The size and demeanor of these areas would be programmed in advance by specifications obtained through interviews with the occupying entities. The appropriately sized rooms therefrom would also be appointed with full kitchens, and pantry and storage areas.
iv) individual living quarters independent of the common space would feature secure en-suite bedroom areas with individual toilet rooms, showers and sinks, change rooms/walk-in closets, and mini personal work space/office areas.
v) each sanctuary space would have its own outdoor (protected) patio space accessed both internally from the private common areas and the public reception area so that it might be used as a garden-like meeting space for social gatherings.
The main-floor lobby space would have a security entry station that leads to a two-storey permanent art gallery/museum that would build a collection of art and craft, first editions library for literature and music, and a video collection — all related to indigenous artistic effort. It would take on traveling exhibitions for famous artists such as Frida Kahlo (Mexico), Alex Janvier (Canada), Rick Bartow (U.S.A.), Edmonia Lewis (U.S.A.), Camilo Egas (Ecuador), and Felipe Guáman Poma de Ayala (Peru). The Gallery will flow under 105th Street connecting to a five- star hotel on the opposite side of the thoroughfare where the two-storey space would merge with the hotel’s entry lobby. Alternative rooms in the Gallery space would include:
i) a first-editions reading room that would house preserved collections of books, manuscripts and amassed illustrations of prominent indigenous authors and illustrators. Enclosed storage shelves would be temperature controlled and environmentally stable in clean-room- like conditions.
ii) a music listening room with high-backed swivel easy chairs and wi-fi connected headsets. A librarian wouldl arrange and control the attendant requests of public enthusiasts. All music players and listening equipment would be state-of-the-art.
iii) a small 30-seat theatre where a film library would feature programs highlighting the works of actors, writers, directors, and producers — all in the realm of indigenous notables.
iv) a cafe bar where like-minded aficionados can congregate to exchange ideas and meet people — artists or otherwise.
Several levels of the Consular and Trade building would connect above street level to the adjacent hotel. Each of these would span 105th Street and would have exceptional views of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The lowest of these spans would create a functional bridge where the interior is developed into an upscale dining room with an adjacent cocktail lounge. The dining room would feature preset table d’hôte menus taking customer reservations well in advance of any given date. Guest chefs would provide the best of their tableau in multi-course meals. Chefs would all be indigenous foodies representing styles and servings particular to their own cultural sensibilities. On the hotel side of the connecting span there would be a pair of circular glass elevators that marry the dining room/lounge to the roof of the bridge where, on clement days, patrons could enjoy outdoor dining and lounging. The Consular/Trade side of the span would feature restrooms and a kitchen that is equipped with all of the fixtures and equipment to meet any culinary need. A connecting span on the next upward bridging level would provide a more casual dining and libation experience with a stage for live entertainment (a special venue for performances that key into cultural sensibilities from the originating indigenous area — essentially folklore music). Similar to the lower bridge, this level will have connecting elevators to the roof area where plants native to Central Alberta would be the composing elements in an outdoor garden. The uppermost bridge would form event space for special ceremonies, celebrations, and functions — a place where exceptional talent could be honored and vaunted, underscoring exceptional achievement. Connections to the roof of this level would bring all in contact with the sum total of roofs for both the Consular/Trade building and the Hotel.
The Hotel structure would feature exceptionally well appointed rooms on lower levels, outfitted to the high expectations of visiting dignitaries and discerning tourists. Upper levels would feature suites and business oriented layouts. From an architectural standpoint, the Hotel and the Consular/Trade building would visually anchor the Fabric Structure, creating one seamless entity that underscores the initial layout for the World Indigenous Peoples’ Exposition. The buildings themselves would become iconic structures associated with the preeminence of Edmonton as a City that celebrates diversity, individualistic cultures, and entrepreneurial spirit.
Some additional renderings...

 

[archited]

3. The Indigenous Museum and Gallery proposed by Douglas Cardinal would be located on the hillside south of the Indigenous Consular and Trade building in eye-popping detail that at once plays tribute to Indigenous themes of spiritualism, pre-historic times, and yet modern architectural experimentalism.

 

[Gronk!]

 

[archited]

Your loss; not everything is in picture book format.

 

[archited]

4. A 3,000-car + 1,000-bicycle/motorcycle Automated Garage
Automated car parking, or APS, is a mechanical system that uses technology to park and retrieve vehicles without human intervention:
Parking
Drivers enter their vehicles into a parking module, and sensors guide them to a parking spot. Drivers then turn off their engines and exit the module, which closes to secure the vehicle.
Retrieval
When drivers return, their vehicles are returned to a parking module and ready to be driven away.
Benefits
APS can reduce labor costs, increase occupancy, and maximize revenue. They can also reduce the need for cars to idle and drive around looking for parking spaces, which can help decrease carbon emissions.
Using the LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) Technology honed to perfection by Utron — a leading expert in automated parking structures (https://utron.com/parking) — the fourth element of Phase II features a six-level underground parking garage that is accessed both from 97th Avenue (and 106th Street) and from 105th Street (and 96th Avenue). The Auto-Car Park and the Bicycle/Motorcycle Park would be two separate entities (see https://www.designboom.com/technolo...nderground-parking-bicycles-japan-08-08-2017/). The current use of the site is as an inefficient surface parking lot.
The surface of the new parking area would then be available to extend the park that surrounds the Provincial Legislature Building and the proposed concept would be to create an Indigenous-themed landscape park that would specialize in plant types that have had historical benefit to Alberta First Nations people — ceremonial plant uses are derived from tobacco, cedar, sage, sweetgrass, and diamond willow (fungus); berry-producing shrubs and trees include saskatoon, blueberries and cherries of several different varieties; and structural uses (e.g. tipis frame) include lodgepole pine. There are over 100 different plant species that help define early indigenous culture in Alberta. Identifying them and grouping these into sustainable enclaves in the park would be the task of a qualified Landscape Architect. The park, then, would be solely ornamental in nature and high-tech nodes would allow smart-phone downloaded apps to be able to inform passersby relative to plant species and their functional use in pre-European-contact Indigenous cultures. For the sake of contiguity, ideally 106th Street between 96th Avenue and 97th Avenue would be closed and turned into parkland; and, to facilitate the 105th Street entrance to parking on that end of the parking structure, 96th Avenue would be closed to through traffic and used simply as a non-sloping entrance to the underground structure. Attendants at both entrances would be ‘on-duty’ 24/7.
Describing the Parking Structure in detail requires first an understanding of LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) technology and its hyper-efficient use in moving objects, large and small). An LSM propulsion system employs an end-to-end array of electromagnets that are ‘charged’ sequentially so that an attracted magnetic portion of a moveable vehicle (in this case a ‘sled’ upon which is situated an automobile) is pulled along to a parking slot. LSMs are in common use in MagLev rail systems and in propulsion systems for rollercoasters (climbing that first big hill that then affords gravity to take over for the balance of the ride). In the parking consideration here, the auto would be driven onto a sled and then left to be moved to a vacant parking space. LSM-driven elevators would carry the sled vertically to the appropriate parking level. A battery management system would prevail and maintain usage through potential black-outs and power failures. Because many sleds on alternative tracks can be operated simultaneously, the rate of parking/un-parking is very high compared to self-park structures. And because there is no need for human occupancy in the structure itself, cars can be stacked and arrayed far more efficiently than by any other means.
One of the main features of the system is unparalleled security — car break-ins are eliminated; door-dings are eliminated. From a users perspective, there is no need to remember where one’s vehicle is parked and, when retrieved, the vehicle will be room-temperature warm.
Car maintenance services would also be provided within the garage: these include basic oil-change and tune-up; car-wash, wax, and detail; and, for electric vehicles, battery recharge.

 

[archited]

5. Planning and Development of the Lands associated with the Historic Rossdale Power Plant and Refurbishment and Repurposing of the Power Plant itself.
There would be three separate but conjoined Planning Efforts in this effort.

The Rossdale Power Plant Building:
The Rossdale Power Plant is owned by the City of Edmonton and has a Provincial designation as a Historic Resource (2001). The main structure consists of three integrated buildings, the largest attuned to one-time boiler rooms, the second largest turbine rooms, and a third administration building. There are two adjacent structures (pump houses) that are detached from the main building, but nonetheless substantial in both structure and area enclosed.
The WInPEx proposal has as its goal the notion of honouring the importance of the site from all perspectives and creating a place for all people the world over to come to in Peace and Understanding. The intent is to restate the historical significance in both word and deed. It is paramount to treat the land here as sacred and important to the souls of those who have traveled here in the past and to those who will visit here in the future. Everything that is done here has meaning, both looking forward and in respect for the past.
The buildings have some merit architecturally — and more, historically — although that is not the prime factor in retaining them. They are suitable for repurposing. The existing buildings would be seen as enclosures housing all manner of North and South American First Nations art and traditional cultural items, handcrafted and otherwise. The representation of tribes from Cree to the Yaghan, from Inuit to Inca, from Haida to Hopi and their cooperation and involvement is mandatory in developing a true international meeting place where lost, nearly lost, and thriving First Nations cultures are featured in a way that makes them permanently cemented in modern-day society. In an effort to give Edmonton a new international presence that underscores cultural rights, meaningful history, and — foremost — Peace and Understanding among the variously represented Brotherhood of Man is the ideal being strived for..
There would be no change the structural elements of the buildings save rebuilding roof supports to take on an increased load-bearing capacity in buttressing an alternative form of urban farming.
In the tallest and largest of the buildings the concept would be to creatively carve up the interior space into First Nations’ expressions of culture, art and history. The intent is to not merely create a museum; rather displays would be ever-changing and novel, using modern communication devices as well as historic pieces representative of longstanding cultural ideology. The exceptionally high vertical space would alternatively house West Coast totems, interior platforms for displays, interconnecting bridges — all designed to underscore an exciting interplay of spacial arrangements. This area would truly be an intercontinental juxtaposition of native cultures. The roof of this building would be sheltered and would be a green-house space for Urban Agriculture, specializing in plants that can support three different cooperative ventures: 1. plants for processed teas that would be both packaged and sold independently and represented in restaurant dining ventures — e.g. Wild Sarsaparilla, Prairie Clover, and Coyote Mint. 2. plants that can be distilled to create marketable liqueurs — e.g. Common Juniper Berries, Black Huckleberry, and Meadow Beauty. And 3. plants that can be fermented into Fruit Wines (also known as Country Wines) — e.g. Blue Elderberry, Canada Bunchberry, and Black Mountain Huckleberry.
In the former turbine structure immediately east of the tallest and longest building, there are disparate floor levels. The vision here entails apportioning some of the space for the manufacture of the aforementioned teas, liqueurs, and fruit wines, also looking to create a kind of “Hollywood North” film production area with green-screen filming spaces, set construction areas, and studio space — all glassed in so that the public can view ongoing developments — television specials, movie specials, and broadcast platforms. Also the expectation is to create a “Virtual Presence” theatre that would bring to life 3-d theatre where au courant, forward-thinking productions could be presented to the public in an exciting and advanced format. Again, the roof of this building would be reinforced and reserved for state-of-the-art urban farming.
The Administration building would feature a “welcoming” introductory venue for visitors as well as guest services such as restrooms, cloak rooms, and a concierge desk. The roof of the building would be girded and updated to house a Sky-form Gondola Station.

 

[IanO]

If the City had the funds you bet something would happen with Rossdale.

But that's the thing... it should not be the City behind this one. P3 or some sort of competition with a 99yr lease and let the private sector (with reasonable conditions and requirements) do it.

 

[archited]

^Sure... if you can envision Rossdale loaded up with 6-storey, stick-framed, Mondrian-esque, look-alike apartment buildings.

 

[David A]

But that's the thing... it should not be the City behind this one. P3 or some sort of competition with a 99yr lease and let the private sector (with reasonable conditions and requirements) do it.

Exactly! If the City hasn't gotten around to this over the last 20 to 50 years, it is obviously not a priority for them.

I feel the lack of money is just a bureaucratic excuse here, but even if there is some real desire to do something, I doubt they will suddenly find the money any time soon.

If we have to wait for the City to improve things here, we will probably all be gone before then. So just get out of the way and let someone else do it.