THE MARSH
ECO OASIS WITH SYDNEY SYMAK 2021
The MARSH is an ecological oasis for botanists in Etobicoke, Ontario. Situated in an area of high vehicular traffic, seconds from the biologically diverse Humber River, it is situated perfectly to raise awareness within the community for ecological activism.
Focusing on resiliance and living off of the grid The MARSH reuses the site and components of a building pending demolition. The stratagies used focus around two key elements - the constructed wetlands and the hearth, which are used to heat, cool, feed and heal the inhabitants.
CONTEXT PLAN
TheSITEinDETAIL
WIND WHEELS
DIURNAL AVERAGES
PSYCHROMETRIC CHARTS
WIND WHEEL LEGEND
WINTER WIND WHEEL
SPRING WIND WHEEL
SUMMER WIND WHEEL
FALL WIND WHEEL
DIRUNAL LEGEND
DIURNAL AVERAGES
PSYCROMETRIC CHART
ORTHOGRAPHICS
BASEMENT PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
SECTION AA
SOUTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
WALL SECTION
SAW TOOTH DETAIL
SUSTAINABILITY
Etobicoke, Ontario, is a region facing numerous climate threats. Thus adopting USGBC resiliance stratagies for creating an adaptive building was paramount. The site can be maintained by the occupants as they eat, study and modify the vegetation. The building reuses the existing foundation in situ to create the marsh space that the building floats over. Embodied carbon was also decreased by the use of MgO board, use of gyp-crete for thermal radiant floors, the reuse of recycled steel and bricks, and minimizing the use of XPS and fibreglass insulation and other materials with high GWP ratings. The operational carbon was reduced by burning biomass and solar to heat and power the oasis. The surrounding plants incorporate biophilia into the design which improve occupant focus and well-being, while removing pollutants, absorbing site run-off, and creating comfortable microclimates. The MARSH has passive heating and cooling, net zero water use, and inspires the community to pursue adaptive, sustainable design.
