Re/creation of Lake Banook: Providing Prospect & Refuge in an Urban Landscape

Abstract

Lake Banook, an urban lake situated in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, plays an important role in both community and international recreational activity. Although the lake currently functions well, it could be improved. With careful study and observation, three main problems are highlighted at Lake Banook: disjointed circulation (only intermmitant connection to the water), poor ecology, and unbalanced recreational use. This thesis demonstrates that prospect and refuge can be used to remediate these main issues through the improvement of the human experience of the landscape. The principles of prospect and refuge are demonstrated through a connection between new and existing structures including a canal, a tower, a retaining wall, a semi-enclosed pergola, a resting place (individual experience) and a gathering space (collective experience). These interventions create a sense of place for the users by highlighting the exquisite urban nature of Lake Banook.