UNITE
T1 / 24
49.265898683400955, -123.251743608119557
A1 - Home Ground
A2 - Cube Method
A3 - Supernatural • nitobe • šxʷsyiçəm (spanish banks)
A4 - Buchanan Rain
A5/A6 - Lost in Translation
We are tasked with observing and recording local environments, specifically focusing on urban form, open space, and infrastructure. For Assignment 5, I analyzed Lost Lagoon in Stanley Park, evaluating its existing conditions and developing strategic priorities for improvement. Assignment 6 builds on this analysis by proposing a future-oriented design intervention that enhances spatial attributes and addresses complex urban issues through a compelling design proposal.
Learning Expectations
- Utilize site analysis methods to document open space, urban form, and infrastructure
- Identify priorities for improving urban fabric and develop a hierarchy of interventions
- Create a framework that addresses environmental challenges while enhancing urban experiences
- Visualize changes to the environment and infrastructure through annotated diagrams
- Demonstrate how systems interact with one another within the urban context
- Generate bold ideas for future urban living that are grounded in rigorous analysis
- Create compelling visual and written arguments to support design proposals
Process / Intention
My exploration of Lost Lagoon began as an exercise in understanding place through multiple lenses. Rather than rushing to intervention, I wanted to first deeply understand the complex relationships and perceptions that have shaped this significant Vancouver landmark over time.
The initial phase involved extensive archival research, collecting historical maps dating back to 1911, postcards from the 1930s-1980s, and aerial footage to understand how this space has transformed physically over time. This historical perspective revealed Lost Lagoon's dramatic shift from a tidal mudflat (known as "Ch'ekxwa'7lech" or "gets dry at times" in Squamish language) to its current form as a landlocked freshwater lake following the Stanley Park Causeway construction in 1916.
To understand contemporary perceptions, I conducted a detailed analysis of over 100 reviews from Google and TripAdvisor, categorizing language patterns and emotional responses. This revealed fascinating insights into how visitors experience and value the space today - predominantly as a peaceful urban refuge characterized by its wildlife viewing opportunities and tranquil atmosphere.
I then expanded my research to include 14 news articles spanning from 1875 to 2024, creating a "judgement timeline" that traced shifting perceptions of Lost Lagoon through different eras. This helped visualize how values and priorities have evolved from seeing the lagoon as a resource (Indigenous period), to a recreational space (colonial period), to a site in need of ecological restoration (current era).
This layered analysis revealed recurring tensions between environmental health, recreational use, and infrastructure needs that have characterized Lost Lagoon's history. Rather than seeing these as opposing forces, my proposal for "reconnection" seeks to integrate them through three key interventions:
- A Bridge system that is both elevated and permeable, allowing visitors to experience the lagoon from new perspectives while minimizing environmental impact
- A Buffer zone that is porous and interwoven, creating a dynamic exchange between land and water while supporting diverse ecosystems
- A Basin that is convertible and connective, adapting to seasonal changes while bringing people together in shared experience
The proposal reimagines Lost Lagoon not as a static, managed space but as a living system that acknowledges both its cultural history and ecological potential through a phased reintroduction of tidal patterns. This approach seeks to honor the site's indigenous heritage while addressing contemporary environmental challenges, creating opportunities for deeper human connection with natural cycles.