PORTLANDS (on going)

Cruising Towards Sustainability 

Concept:
The planning proposed for this community will enlarge the nature content of the ‘Portlands District’, and it provides comfortable sustainable housing for 4,000 households. This design features an unconventional planning approach that uses a large cruise ship concept as a maritime idea for housing.

The strategy for creating these neighbourhoods will include a redevelopment of 100 acres of under-utilized, post industrial urban terrain into 2 distinct neighbourhoods of 50 acres each. Both neighborhoods will embody innovative, cutting edge technologies that maximize the use of the Portland's abundant sun, wind and water. This makes living affordable among nature's bounty without sacrificing modern-day comfort and convenience. The adjacent 50 acres is subdivided into individual building lots using a conventional system of roads and laneways.

The example of a Cruise Ship is an analogy of self-sufficiency. They demonstrate how size, population, energy and waste management combine easily with comfort and luxury. Solar and thermal energy is optimized by determining the most effective orientation of each ship. Rainwater is collected and stored in ponds on site, which in turn is used for boating, fishing and swimming. The entire development’s waste is recycled by the use of constructed wetlands, which serve as a vital nature sanctuary.

The vision for each of the 3 “cruise ships” include:
- 400 2-bedroom suites on 5 floors @ 1600 s/f each
- 150 bachelors on 2 floors @ 800 s/f each
- Retail, business and community space within a 36'x500" atrium space useable all year
- Each apartment receives either morning or afternoon sun
- Minimum heat loss is achieved via shared walls that function as heat sinks
- Waste recycling and energy systems are accommodated in each cruise ship and designed as a closed loop system

Stats:
Conventional Neighbourhood:
50 acres
Typical lot 20’x70’
21 units per acre
1058 dwellings

Water Dominated Neighbourhood:
50 acres
75% open space
33 units per acre
1650 dwellings

all projects