Site in Context at 1:50 000

Existing Town

Water Body

New Town

Existing Oil Sands Project

McClelland Lake

Athabasca River

Fort McMurray

Fort MacKay

BitumountAirport

New Dense Megastructure

Highway 63

1km maximum

untouched boreal forest

residential towers

commercial/civic/cultural program

feeder rail transport level

�ltration level processing gaseous by-products

industrial sector - mining viatoe-to-heel air injection method

ventilation air shafts

access to town from airport via rail

city/industry amenitiesto expand sideways as necessary vertical heat transfer

from industrial processes

CONCEPTUAL SECTION DIAGRAM OF TOWN DESIGN AND LAYOUT

access down to industrial levelfrom upper community level

residential to expand upwards when needed

vertical circulation element

ground level

EMERGENCYSERVICES

HEART

BRAIN

SUPPLY & IMPORTS

RECREATION (SPORT)RECREATION (ARTS)

WASTE TREATMENTMEDICAL SERVICES

FINANCE SECTOR

RESIDENTIAL

RESIDENTIALRESIDENTIAL

RESIDENTIAL

SHOPPING

SHOPPING

SHOPPING

PLACEMENT OF TOWN AMENITIES BASED ON HUMAN BODY

EDUCATIONPOLICESTATION

HOSPITAL

ACCESS DOWNTO OIL RIG

GROCERY

SHOPS/BOUTIQUES

CULTURALCENTRE

INDOOR COURTS

SUPPLIES

POOL

CAFE

STORAGE

CAFES/DINERS

PLAYGROUND

GYM

LOBBY/C'ROOMS

SPORTSGROUND

GROCERY STORAGERESTAURANTS

FIRESTATION

BANKS/OFFICES

PUBS/BARS

ACCESS FROM AIRPORT VIA RAIL

CAFES/DINERS

RESTAURANTSS

PUBUBS/BARS

RESIDENCES

1

2222

22

3

33

4

1

1

SSS

PUBUBS/BARS

11

222

22

33

4

1

11

11

3333

1

1

2

2

33 34 2

2

111

2

3

4

1

1

3

111

1111

2

333

22

333

111

4

childrentime stamp (min)destination point housewives miners shop owners office workers1

PLOTTING TIME PATHS ONTO THE TOWN PLAN

GROUPING OF PROGRAM BY ASSOCIATION OF FUNCTIONS

officesbanks

grocery

shopsboutiques

salonsmedicalservices pubs

barscafesrestaurants

sport centresplaygroundgymnasium schools

culturalcentres

accessto oil rig

suppliesstorage

wastetreatment

policefire

residences

accessto outer

MAPPING OF DAILY USER SCENARIOS

children

housewife

miner

shop owner

o�ce workers

home

home

school

school

school

school

home

home

home

home

home

home

home

home

home

home

school

home

pub/bar/cafe/restaurant

recreationalactivities

school

recreationalactivities home

home

shopping/groceries

shopping/groceries

home

home

recreationalactivities

shopping/groceries

home

recreationalactivitiespub/bar/cafe/restaurant

pub/bar/cafe/restaurant

home

home

home

home office

office

officecafe/restaurant

home

oil rig cafe/restaurant oil rig

oil rig

shop

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

4min

300m

3.6min

300m

4min

300m

4min

80m

1min

80m

1min

80m

1min

100m

1.2min

100m

1.2min

400m

5min

400m

5min

250m

3min

400m

5min

400m

5min

400m

5min250m

3min 250m

3min

370m

4.5min

150m

2min

340m

4min

220m

2.6min

200m

2.4min

360m

4.3min

150m

1.8min

280m

3.3min

330m

4min

330m

4min

330m

4min

330m

4min

200m

2.4min

200m

2.4min

140m

1.7min

300m

3.6min

340m

4.1min 4.1min

280m

3.3min

340m

320m

3.9min

ASSOCIATION OF BODY PARTS WITH TOWN SECTORS

heart= central square, hub

arteries/veins/capillaries= public/private walkways

lungs= extensive filtration system

digestive process= mining and refining processes

1km maximum

untouched boreal forest

residential towers

commercial/civic/cultural program

feeder rail transport level

�ltration level processing gaseous by-products

industrial sector - mining viatoe-to-heel air injection method

ventilation air shafts

access to town from airport via rail

city/industry amenitiesto expand sideways as necessary vertical heat transfer

from industrial processes

CONCEPTUAL SECTION DIAGRAM OF TOWN DESIGN AND LAYOUT

access down to industrial levelfrom upper community level

residential to expand upwards when needed

vertical circulation element

ground level

24h0h

12h

MiningGroup 1

MiningGroup 2

24h0h

12h

MiningGroup 3

MiningGroup 4

TRADITIONAL OIL RIG WORKING SCHEDULE

WORKING SCHEDULE FOR NEW MINING TOWN

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

Miners work two weeks on the oil rig and have two weeks’ leave offshore.

Miners work a few days per week but have the same schedules every week.

MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5

HOSPITAL

BANKS / OFFICES

CENTRALAIR VOID

COMMUNALLY SHARED PLOTS

AIR SHAFTS

CULTURAL CENTRE

RESTAURANTS

CAFES/DINERS

HEART

COMMUNAL PARKS

OIL STORAGE

WASTE TREATMENT& SEWAGE

TERMINALMINING STATIONS

REFINERY

GROUND ACCESS

LIGHT RAIL FEEDER TRANSPORT CIRCUIT

LIGHT RAIL STATIONS

CIRCULATION TO HEART OR GROUND ACCESS

PUBS/BARS

SHOPSBOUTIQUES

FIRE STATION

POLICE DEPARTMENT

SPORTS COMPLEX

COMMUNICATIONCENTRE

SCHOOL

STORAGE

STORAGE

SUPPLIES

GROCERIES

GROCERYSTORE

INDUSTRIAL SECTORB1 FLOOR to B9 FLOOR

1 : 2000Basement 1 Floor

CIVIC & CULTURAL SECTOR0 FLOOR to 6th FLOOR

1:2000Heart Level

RESIDENTIAL SECTOR3rd FLOOR to 26th FLOOR

1 : 2000STANDARD RESIDENTIAL LEVEL

Major issues faced by mining towns in Canada are an intense boom in population, causing an inevitable rise in crime levels, and a disconnected community which does not support itself. Running in the background of these social problems are heavy environmental impacts caused by the various industrial processes associated with tar sands mining.

We aim to address all of these issues simultaneously. The new town is one that is devoid of cars, with all amenities located within walkable proximity. The population of 15 000 is accommodated within one square kilometre. This high density allows for the sharing of heat and energy, creating a micro-climate to withstand the harsh conditions of Alberta weather. With such a large population within a small area, spontaneous passive surveillance is always available, acting as a deterrent towards crime. Miners work on site and are minutes, rather than hours, away from their families.

The new town provides a way for miners to work full time while still having the essence of a normal lifestyle. Working and living in such close proximity encourages social interaction and strengthens the bonds within the community.

Modules

For ease of construction and the ability to assemble and disassemble, the megastructure will be constructed of pre-fabricated modules that allow for the structure to be packed up and relocated elsewhere. The base of the module is a 7m x 7m concrete floor slab that can be slotted into a steel framework. Both communal and private spaces can be created by using the same base module, simply by slotting the slabs into the frame at differ-ent locations. Thus, wider spaces as well as double-height spaces can be created.

Communal Theatre SpaceAxonometric

Artery Sectional PerspectiveAccommodating heavy traffic

(between Capillaries for slower traffic)

Single Family Dwelling

Module Construction DetailScale 1 : 50

Showing structure, service pipes, module techtonics and waterborne energy pipes for heating.

Townhouse Dwelling

Communal Volleyball CourtAxonometric and Sectional Perspective (between dwellings)

John Low and Melody OngARC 4001

John Sadar “Oil”

Exploded Axonometric

Proposed town in potential siteScale 1 : 50 000

Heart Central Circulation HubPerspective, Plan and Section 1:500

The Central Heart is designed to accommodate the large pedestrian traffic in peak hours. The circular layout reaches the arterial paths, and directs the flow into two wide double spiral ramps that provide access to a multi-level light rail feeder transport system. Multiple elevators assist the circulation during heavy traffic. Secondary stairs provide alternatives for people who require to go against the normal traffic direction.

The school building is located adjacent to the access terminal and is one of the first buildings that is seen when entering the town. The visual aesthetic of the building captures attention and dem-onstrates how its modular structure creates flexibility and uniqueness in design. The new town provides education for all year levels, and there is a strong emphasis on providing education for the whole community. Miners or other workers can choose to enrol in tertiary courses to gain additional skills.

School

Floor Plans 1 : 500Section 1 : 200External Perspective View

DENSE SOCIAL MEGASTRUCTURE

mining population (on and off)

family members

imported workers for community services

POPULATION 15000

4000

8000

3000