77 Union St development in the north Junction, amazing Pedestrian Wind Study photos

The developers of 77 Union St., a large manufacturing building and site. The site is scheduled for redevelopment into  residential use. A pedestrian wind conditions study was done, and the report included images of the wind study models with a very interesting, some of images are below.

Pedestrian Wind Studies are conducted for large new residential buildings to ensure the safety and comfort of people at ground level, the report of the syudy for this developmet site has these phtos of the wind tunnel study.

1st the bsaic details, of what is planned,

The 77 Union Street development in Toronto is an exciting new project by H&R REIT.

• Location: 77 Union Street, in the Weston-Pelham Park area of West Toronto¹.
• Type: Condominium development.
• Buildings: The project consists of three buildings with 39, 43, and 49 storeys².
• Units: A total of 1,951 residential suites.
• Amenities: The development will include retail spaces, over 2,200 m² of parkland, and improved road and transit links, including a connection to the future St. Clair and Old Weston GO station².
• Status: Currently in the pre-construction phase
• Phtos from the March 4, 2022 report.
• Below are details extracted from the pedestrian wind study that provide details of various elevations on the building, and streetscape   wind conditions, that will result.
• File: PedestrianWindStudy_77UnionSt.pdf— Page 14 —Highlight (color #2CC562):
  Grade Level (Locations 1 through 135)

  During summer, despite the increase of overall wind speeds, conditions on site are predicted to be comfortable for walking, strolling, or standing at most locations, with the exception of the southwest corner of Building C2 where conditions may be uncomfortable from time to time (Location 111 in Figure 1B). Wind conditions that are comfortable mostly for strolling are anticipated at the public park to the south the Building C2, which might be too windy for the desired leisure use of this area.

  In the winter, due to seasonal strong winds, higher wind speeds are predicted throughout the site. While conditions at most locations are expected to be comfortable for walking, uncomfortable wind speeds are predicted at several locations around building corners facing west and south (including the public park to the south), and through the passageways between Buildings A and B, A and C1, B and D1, as well as C1 and C2 (see Figure 2B). In addition, high wind speeds at certain locations along Street ‘A’ and at the public park are also predicted to exceed the pedestrian wind safety criterion.
  

  — Page 15 —

  Highlight (color #2CC562):
  Wind Control Recommendations for Grade Level

  Most buildings in the proposed development are designed with massing steps or podium extensions around the towers, that are aiding in containing high wind impacts mostly to the development site. To improve undesired wind conditions described above, similar large-scale wind mitigation strategies such as tower setback and corner articulations on the podium massing can be considered to reduce wind speeds at corners and through passageways.

  The next level of strategies to address the high wind conditions are the use of different landscape features and architectural details like canopies, screen walls, etc. These features have a smaller extent of impact for wind control compared to the larger-scale mitigation methods. For buildings entrances with high wind speeds, the design team shall consider relocating them away from the corners, recessing these entrances, or placing windscreens and/or planters on two sides of the entrances. Note that coniferous species are required for landscaping to be effective in the winter season.

  — Page 17 —

  Highlight (color #2CC562):
  Above-Grade Levels (Locations 136 through 152)

  Wind speeds were assessed on the amenity terraces on Level 11 of Building B and Level 7 of Building D. Wind conditions on the amenity terrace at Level 11 of Building B are predicted to be comfortable for standing throughout the year (Locations 136 and 137 in Figures 1B and 2B), which is considered appropriate for passive patron use. The low wind speeds can be attributed to the location of the terrace downwind of taller massing and other buildings, with respect to the predominant northwest and southwest winds.

  Higher wind speeds, mostly comfortable for strolling or walking in the summer and uncomfortable in the winter, are anticipated on the Level 7 terrace of Building D, which are considered too windy for passive/relaxed use on amenity spaces. Wind speeds at several locations are also expected to exceed the wind safety criterion (see Figure 3B). We recommend that the design team consider a combination of wind mitigation strategies to reduce both direct exposure to the prevailing winds and impacts resulting from building-wind interactions to achieve more favorable wind conditions. This can include a combination of vertical features (tall guardrails, screens, and landscaping that are at least 2m tall) and overhead features (trellises and canopies) and RWDI can provide further guidance as the design and programming of these areas.