Nodular Growth
Medium density Housing Project on a constrained corner site in Ottawa’s Somerset Heights. Include a minimum of 40 units, parking, commercial space. Nodular Gowth (770 Somerset Street West) is a new type of urban growth; a micro city within a neighbourhood. Units among the complex reflect the proportions of the surrounding vernacular housing type: one to two storey, clad in brick. Units are stacked vertically and horizontally to achieve the density of an apartment building. The gaps
between the units allow for extensions or rooms to grow. A market hall at grade will serve as a shop for local goods and will additionally cater to various events, exhibitions.
>>> Recipient of Stantec Architecture Prize for Excellence in the Comprehensive Studio Housing Project
>>> Published in Building22 Edition 11.
type of project: housing, individual
location: China Town, Ottawa
supervisor: Jay Lim
date of completion: december 2010
initial sketch model 1:500 (and sketch below)
Somerset Street West looking toward Booth Street.
Additions, extensions, nodes placed throughout the Somerset Heights neighbourhood inspired unit design.
Rooms to Grow:
Additional spaces between the units allow for multi-usages such as: a den, guest room, library, winter garden. 40% of the units are equipped with these extensions. Having interconnected streets and nodes transforms an ordinary apartment building into a stacked micro neighbourhood within the macro city scale. Diagram of node extensions to units
Ground floor plan within site context
West entrance to building from Lebreton Street. Market hall beneath housing, underground parking access shown.
The roof terrace is open to residents, providing a place to meet neighbours, entertain, or read a book on a sunny day. North-facing view onto LeBreton Flats – a future housing development site.
1:50 section
Final presentation panel.