HANMER

The study began with noting the specific conditions of each site. The first site studied was the Hanmer Tim Hortons’ parking lot; this lot presents the most varying palette of surfaces found throughout the study. Found within the 5 500m^2 field of research, the site consists mostly of a flat asphalted surface with concrete curb elements that can be found delimiting the drive thru access from the general parking areas and are used to surround the building, creating an elevated pedestrian path separate from the path traveled by vehicles; a large maintained grassy ditch can be found lining the hwy and a large flat gravel lot is situated directly behind the studied lot. This open exposed parking lot condition provides little to no shelter to users, found only near the building itself, users tend to follow the building edge as it provides shelter from both the rain and the wind. An overhang is present above the pedestrian path lining the building edge, within this element lights are housed which illuminate the walkway from dusk to dawn. There are no designated seating implementations within the site and the existing curbs are too low for individuals to sit comfortably. Designed with a clear priority on the motor vehicle, the lot is designed in such a way that pedestrians must hesitate when crossing as they are always in the direct path of vehicular traffic. The parking lot has a truly unique condition highlighted in the abandoned building present on the eastern edge of the field of research. Large transport trailers are parked on the southern portion of the studied site as a result of the open flat gravelled area behind the building in question. 

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This studied lot is situated in the heart of Hanmer and is thus surrounded by most of the town's amenities. Bordering the main artery, hwy 69 north, the studied site is seen directly from the hwy and is vis-a-vis a McDonalds and a pharmacy.  Found on the east side of the connected parking lot is a Gas Station, a Beer Store, a Mall and a grocery store. Found directly to the west is a restaurant to which access is only possible through the field of research. Hanmer is a small community in the North of Greater Sudbury surrounded by forests and greenery, for this reason designated public parks are few and far between. The open nature of the large Hanmer Mall parking lot provides people an open space they are free to use and temporarily appropriate. This Tim Hortons in The Valley, represents a calm gathering place free of the need for security and free of unwanted loitering concerns. Situated between the residential sectors of the area and in close proximity to most local amenities, this parking lot seems to be a popular site for gathering and socializing.

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The sub-urban surrounding landscape of the context provides this site with a user profile of varying ages and demographics. Based on the conducted research and site analysis, the profiles vary specifically based on the time of day. Based on compiled observations, the morning hours consist mostly of men from the working class quickly stopping by to acquire food and caffeine on their way to work and of men from the older generation that no longer compose the working class loitering and gathering for an early morning social. Although the older users remain within the space for over an hour on average, the working class move at a very fast pace in the morning and leave next to no time for pauses and express next to no sense of mindfulness. In contrast to the morning crowd, the evenings consist of mostly high school aged teenagers and young adults of varying sexes slowly traveling through the space and taking the time to slowly remain in the moment. 

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As previously mentioned the area within the field of study is used by locals to gather and socialize, the Tim Hortons is used as a common ground and as a point of reference for many planned encounters and meetings. This neutral atmosphere allows people to use the space as they see it fit; those who linger are often found eating, drinking, smoking and talking while either leaning against something, sitting or standing. Those who are simply passing through walk at varying paces based on their agenda and, based on observations, the time of day. Following the above mentioned contrast present between the morning and evening users, people walk at a fast pace in the morning and gradually slow down as the day progresses, with a sudden rush for the lunch hour. A majority of users simply interact with the parking lot space as an “in-between” from their car to the building. These individuals thus use the space to discard their trash; whether it be by the use of a garbage can or as litter, to quickly have a cigarette between errands, or to decide whether or not to put on a mask before entering the building. 

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The most interesting and unique piece of evidence gathered throughout this study is how people appropriate the space to meet their needs. During the study people were found leaning against the building, using its ledges for awkward seating and laying in the nearby grass. In Hanmer, because the space is so clearly designed for the automobile, people take advantage of its presence and utilize it to gather in and around. This prioritization can also be evaluated by the lack of bike racks, people tend to use the building itself to lean and line their bikes out of the way of cars on the least used portion of the pedestrian path. An interesting observation that should be noted is the fact that in times of a busy lot, people tend to gather on the edges, leaving the centre for the traffic turn over. On this specific site the most interactive corners of the lot were that of the parking spaces on the east closest to the abandoned building and the spots on the west of the drive thru. These spots all outside the drive thru “loop” were the chosen locations for people to pause, whether it be in groups or alone. The eastern parking spots were the most active, in these spots people gathered between their vehicles at all hours of the day. Ranging from a couple hours to a couple minutes, the spaces were occupied by a group or individuals on average of no more than an hour at a time. Often used to meet with friends for coffee, the spots were sometimes used on occasion for people to trade cars or get picked up and for people alone in cars to peacefully eat their food acquired through the drive thru before driving off. Although the space doesn’t attract users based on its design implementations, it's setting in the urban context and the adaptability of such an open environment attracts people to nettle and group within its boundaries.