port hardy | re-wilding the land of asphalt
We were blessed with the opportunity to provide the feasibility study for this incredible project. The clients purchased a 50 year old building that is located in the middle of Port Hardy surrounded by parking lots and a main road to the north. The property was highly segmented and had only two trees. The client's wishes were to create a space that was a representation of their nation. A band that welcomed their people, brought them back to their roots and provided healing to their people.
Project Year: 2025
Project Stage: Feasibility
City: Port Hardy
THE GATHERING CIRCLE
This is the heart of the outdoor community space located north of the building and ’behind’ the building. A raised wooden platform presents a gathering circle that people can join or for a larger group expand into the pathways surrounding it. A pollinator garden that doubles as a rain garden captures the pond overflow found in the foreground. There are 4 tiers of rain gardens that capture overflow from the roof and surrounding areas that effectively slow down or eliminate any water going into the city storm drain.
CENTRAL WALKWAY TO MAIN ENTRaNCE
The main entrance is a curtail piece of this project. In our discovery of the nation’s traditional ancestral lands our clients shared many stories of the boardwalks of their village. They were integral to their culture. The boardwalks is not only how people reached each other but also were they would gather, sit and talk, play, dance and connect to the water.
MAIN ENTRANCE (SOUTH)
At the main entrance you are greeted by an ephemeral water fall with adjacent rain garden. The water is captured from the roof and led to flow right to the plaza. When water has reached the top of the lowest basin it overflows into the rain garden where an interesting interaction occurs: the water feeds the plants while the plants cleanse the water. At that point the water flows under a wooden bridge entrance, which transitions you in from the parking lot to this sacred space.
SECONDARY ENTRANCE (NORTH)
The view from the north exit into the private community gathering space. The pond is ephemeral and created by roof capture water. Once the pond is full, it overflows into the adjacent rain garden. There are three more rain gardens along the slope to gather overflow until any excess is sent to the city sewer.
