Vision
Central Ekos will be the urban heart of Larch Park. It is where you will find the greatest diversity of housing styles. There is the potential for live /work spaces, pedestrian-oriented cafes and small shops. The architecture will be modern and imaginative with a sensitive transition between the housing types.
Central Ekos relates directly to nature. It fronts the top of bank parks and the natural trails winding through Larch Sanctuary. The developer will ensure the buildings, up to 6 storeys tall, are situated to reduce shading and maximise visual impact. The streets and sidewalks will provide easy connections to public spaces as well as residences.
Existing Status
- 4.1 Ha
- DC-2 Zoning to allow a mix of housing types including row housing, semi-detached dwellings and apartment housing.
- Maximum density of 82 units/ha
Guidelines Specific to This Area
We are currently developing detailed guidelines based on the following principles:
High Quality Urbanism
- Make a sensitive transition from the lower density parts of the community
- Design to embrace the green edge and provide clear connections to recreation trails
- Use housing height and layout to provide strategic views/vistas
- Mix housing types and sizes
- Celebrate imaginative architecture
- Position landmark buildings in high impact locations
- Use high quality materials, simply
- Front buildings to follow curb lines
- Provide connections for people coming from other residential areas to access green spaces
- Orient buildings to emphasize views and viewpoints to the Whitemud Creek Ravine
- Site buildings to maximize open space
Streets
- Provide direct grade level access to ground floor units.
- Ensure all units are visitable.
- Similarly, maximize the number of doors on the street to activate the streetscape.
- Design streets to minimize the presence of vehicles. Make them pedestrian focused.
- Encourages low vehicle speeds through road width, use of right angles and changes of direction, flare outs, and material changes.
- Create a distinct hierarchy of streets.
- Plan for visitor parking so it does not clutter the streets or negatively impact the urban design.
Landscaping
- Connect the indoors and outdoors with well thought out, practical, usable private spaces
- Use hard and soft elements to provide a clear distinction between public and private space
- Consider public spaces overlooks for safety
- Integrate a low maintenance landscape strategy
- Use swales as part of the drainage system
Buildings
- Use design elements, building facades, finishing materials and articulation to reduce the linear effect and massing of large buildings.
- Minimize perceived height and though upper level setback variations, articulation, building orientation and roof treatments.
- Orient buildings to maximise passive solar gain, and to minimize impact on adjacent developments and the ravine.
- Use colour and high quality exterior wall finishing materials to add visual interest.
- Plan flexible living spaces that can change with residents needs.
- Incorporate upper level and rooftop terraces and decks
- Plan parking below grade or well screened from view. Garages should not be visible from the street or public spaces.
- Celebrate Capital Modern architecture
- Ensure buildings respond to the site, and contribute to a visually interesting skyline.