Project: Under One Roof
Type: Academic
Year: 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
Team: Allen Lai, Alex Nankivell
When examining the site we found the pleated roof of University Settlement to be the most charismatic element. Not only did it add visual interest, but also alluded to the rich history of the site. In this way we saw our extension of the canopy as an extension of this history. By doing so we also consolidated multiple circulations to and from the park and University Settlement under one roof (metaphorically and literally), providing a new symbolic threshold to Grange Park. This new canopy not only animates the hardscaped areas through colourful reflections and refractions of light but also preserves existing paths and vistas. Alongside the canopy we turned the entirety of Grange Road into a pedestrian and bike friendly street, avoiding the hectic mix of traffic that used to populate this small road. Ultimately we sought to provide unity and promenance to a fairly fractured and forgotten site.