The Eddie
The proposed project provides 15 residential units of mixed sizes to support a diverse range of residents. The commercial spaces are strategically designed to accommodate small local businesses and enhance the vibrancy of Cumberland’s main street.
We started with history. What was Cumberland and how did it come to be what it is today? Through our research, we observed a strong influence from the coal mining industry of the late 1800s. This influence can be characterized by long pitched roof lines, varied massing, timber structures, wood textured finishing materials, and an eclectic mix of colours. Moreover, fenestration is provided in a structured and rhythmic fashion using punched windows with muntin and grille treatments.
The main driving force behind the site design of the project is to promote a pedestrian friendly, accessible, vibrant, and animated historic downtown village core through the use of transparent storefronts, interior public courtyards, well-lit accessible walkways, and set back facades which activate street level activity.
It was important to the design team to provide an asset back to the community. This is provided through a pedestrian courtyard accessible from 2nd Street. This courtyard serves as an amenity space for a commercial space slated to be a restaurant and also activates the lane side of the development. It is important for the development to engage on all three sides of the property that are not abutting another lot.
The building is oriented on the South and West property lines to maximize access to sunlight and provide the most amount of frontage on the prominent corner. The building is pulled away as much as practical from interior lot lines to avoid impacts to neighbouring properties and to maximize access to light for all.
The mass and form is heavily influenced by the history of the Village. The main mass at the corner is representative of historic coal mining structures by employing a long single sloped form that is wrapped in a wood shake-looking material. It also provides balance to the compelling sloped roof of The Big Store historic resource across 2nd Street. The main facade facing Dunsmuir then borrows the vertical vernacular found in many of the adjacent historic buildings.
Materials are used that provide visual interest to bypassers using cladding and siding prevalent on dunsmuir and respectful of the historic materials of the area. Building details utilize the historical vernacular and character of the previous dunsmuir hotels but utilize new materials compatible with more stringent code requirements. This re-imagination of the traditional vernacular through the use of new materials provides for a sustainable solution that is respectful to the detailing in the area.
holo-blok Team
