Riverside Community on the Kennebecasis
Category
Scope
Sub Division, Design Feasibility & Brief Testing, Concept Masterplan
Location
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Size
85000 sqm
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An 85,000 sqm residential subdivision that transforms challenging sloped terrain into a community advantage, maximizing river views while creating a network of hillside trails and diverse condominium developments.
This residential subdivision masterplan transforms Saint John's steep riverside terrain into a thoughtfully planned hillside community that maximizes the natural beauty of the Kennebecasis River setting. Instead of treating the terrain as a challenge, the design embraces it as the project’s greatest strength.
We began with comprehensive feasibility studies and brief testing that identified the site's buildable plateaus and natural constraint areas. The steep middle slopes were reimagined as the community's green spine—a continuous pedestrian trail network that becomes the neighborhood's central organizing element and recreational amenity.
The master plan divides the 85,000 sqm site into two distinct residential clusters, connected by a hillside trail system. Each cluster contains carefully planned lots designated for various condominium developments, offering residents diverse living options from intimate low-rise buildings to mid-scale residential complexes. Every development is strategically positioned to maximize Kennebecasis River views while creating a cohesive community that feels integrated with the natural landscape.
Our design philosophy centers on working with nature rather than against it. The subdivision layout follows the site's natural contours, preserving existing mature vegetation and incorporating sustainable stormwater management systems that follow natural drainage patterns. The connecting trail system serves multiple functions - linking the two residential areas, providing recreational opportunities, and maintaining ecological connectivity across the site.
This master plan demonstrates how thoughtful subdivision design can turn topographical features into community assets. The result is a riverside community where residents enjoy hillside living, modern amenities, and the environmental integrity that makes Saint John’s riverfront unique.
