DESIGN ELEMENTS: PEDESTRIAN GROUND-PLANE

EXPRESSION
“THE GROUNDWORK FOR A GREAT STREET”

The ground-plane treatment for the renovation of Granville Street

will utilize a palette of high quality, distinctive paving materials
that will define Granville Street as a continuous “Great Street”.

GRANITE RIBBONS
The primary patterning of the ground-plane will be created by a
series of ribbon-like granite bands that will be arranged in a rhythmic
pattern along the length of the street. Granite is a very high quality
and durable surface. A local granite will be selected for the project
to complement and contrast with the exposed aggregate paving. The
granite bands will be arranged linearly along the street in a somewhat
random manner allowing great flexibility at the design stage and in
the future to accommodate potential conflicts with other streetscape
elements.

EXPOSED AGGREGATE
CONCRETE
The sidewalk surfacing will be made up of a custom exposed
aggregate concrete paving poured in linear panels stretching across
the sidewalks. A custom exposed aggregate mix will be achieved using
a blend of local granite aggregate chips. Poured concrete provides a
structural, hard-wearing paving surface that can be easily installed
and replaced. The final mix will need to satisfy the need for long-
term availability of selected aggregates and the ability to replicate a
uniform material finish over the life of the streetscape.

HALL OF FAME STARS

The British Columbia Hall of Fame Stars programme will continue to
be accommodated in the renovated street. The existing Hall of Fame
Stars will be removed and reinstalled within the Theatre Precinct
sections of the street and provision will be made for the installation
of future stars. The stars will be installed within the proposed granite
bands to provide a more ordered arrangement within the sidewalk and
a higher quality setting.

TACTILE WARNING
STRIPS
“Tactile” paving bands are proposed at street corners and adjacent
flex parking zones to provide added warning for the visually impaired.
“Tactile” warning pavers have a raised dimpled surface that provides
a visual and tactile warning while providing a fully accessible surface.
“Tactile” warning strips will be produced in granite if possible, or in
concrete.

TREE SURROUND
Custom metal tree grates will be used to surround all new street
trees providing another opportunity to distinguish Granville Street
from other streets. Metal tree grates allow for natural drainage of
rainwater into the tree pit and for aeration of soils while providing an
accessible surface around the base of the tree.

Representative street segment between Georgia and Robson

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PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc.

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Pechet and Robb Studio Ltd.

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Don Luxton and Associates Inc.

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Sandwell Engineering Inc. u ir
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Design Concept
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GRANVILLE STREET • VANCOUVER BC

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JANUARY
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Georgia S

2008