Toronto, ON
Ontario Place was established in 1971 as an entertainment venue, but since 2012 most structures have fallen out of use. As part of its redevelopment process Infrastructure Ontario is pursuing the design, proposed by the collaborative team effort of Landinc. + MSP and ZAS Architects. ZAS Architects is responsible for designing the structures which are part of the public realm. The design efforts are focused on revitalizing the spaces and structures which create nodes of interest and are interwoven within the overall design scheme. Ontario place is spread over an area of 67.7 ha. As part of the innovative design scheme there is an initiative to design the landscape that can withstand future rising water levels and the design team has proposed raising the south shoreline edge. One of the other measures to mitigate flood plain considerations would be to is to “thicken the edge” and demolish existing structures.
As part of the proposed design scheme once the site is regraded, the structures would need to be constructed within the regraded landscape. And replaced with new structures. Inclusiveness and fully accessible structures are the design premise for these pavilions, which adhere to universal design. New pavilions blend with the public realm of the park and address unique constraints of each of the diverse functional zones within the park. In addition, washroom pavilion design continues the design ethos of Ontario Place. The buildings are designed as per the latest building codes and weatherized, which allows all year use of facilities.
Client
Infrastructure Ontario
Land Design Incorporated (LANDinc)
Size
68 hectares
Program
Parkland enhancements
Various pavilions
Marina village
Shade structures
Entrance kiosks
Flood protection
Promenade water’s edge
Indigenous places
Children’s water play
Board walks