Blog  September 28, 2011

Young Architects build their Green Legacy

Combine diversity, creativity and spirit, and you’ve got a picture of this summer’s Architects of a Green Legacy program. The Architects program offers local youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills through training and hands-on project development with peer groups.

Thirteen youth spent six weeks collaborating on projects that brought the Great Northern Way Urban Orchard to life. In teams of four and five, they came up with innovative ideas and worked with our summer interns Max and Erin to bring inspiration to life. We are so excited about the incredible work they did—the Orchard is a vibrant place thanks to their dedication and creativity. Take a look at the photos below to see what they got up to!

Team 1 – Unity in Diversity Arbour

A cedar arbour built by the Architects. Note Unity in Diversity spanning the top.
(Photo: Danielle Rana)

This team built a trellised cedar arbour with a bench for visitors to sit and enjoy the orchard. Painted on the ground in front is a medicine wheel, covered in potted herbs and native medicinal plants, exploring the heritage of the False Creek area. Empty milk bottles are filled with coloured sand and found objects that also represent the history of the neighborhood and its multiple uses, such as port and railway. Attached to a rod in each bottle is a small “rain” cymbal that chimes when struck by Vancouver’s (frequent) precipitation. This team also painted a river of fish that runs down the centre walkway of the orchard, as well as animal footprints sneaking in and out between the planters.

Team 2 – Orchard Pathway

Solar lanterns and images of Vancouver adorn the planter boxes. (Photo: Danielle Rana)

Team 2 developed and animated the pathway that leads through the middle of the orchard. Solar lights illuminate the path and photo tiles that are fastened to the sides of the planter boxes. The photos were all taken by the youth, and explore themes of nature, multiculturalism and Vancouver. Finally, the team constructed colorful Mason bee boxes that are fastened to the inside of the planters—come spring time, these boxes will be home to our friendly little pollinators.

Team 3 – Performance Area

A team of Architects on the “sustainable stage” they designed. (Photo: Danielle Rana)

Our third team built a cedar stage strung with twine and hung with solar lamps. This stage was used for our speakers and performances at the end of summer celebration! It frames the North Shore mountains perfectly and is surrounded by mobile planter boxes covered in climbing roses and grasses—creating a great backdrop for upcoming events in the Orchard.