In less than two decades, Toronto’s Railway Lands district has transformed from an industrial waterfront railway yard into a city within a city, aptly named CityPlace. More than 20,000 people call CityPlace home. Most reside in a collection of residential and mixed-use towers. While the district’s vertical living lifestyle is geared for young singles and empty nesters, CityPlace has attracted a surprising number of families.
To meet the growing demand for education and social spaces in the area, the city announced plans for a 158,890-sf, $65 million community campus set among the rising towers. The new Canoe Landing Campus, designed by ZAS Architects, will house spaces for a recreation center, public and Catholic elementary schools, and a childcare center. The campus provides an opportunity for shared community spaces: gardening plots, rooftop basketball courts, spaces for indoor and outdoor play, a community kitchen for canning parties and cooking classes, and a grand lobby for neighbors to meet.
The two schools share indoor play spaces, a learning commons, gymnasium, and educational areas. The outdoor park and community rooms are accessible by all.
A flexible design solution features two- and three-story buildings that anchor the east side of the park. C-shaped planning maximizes solar access while sheltering play areas from the adjacent expressway.
Bisected by a pedestrian corridor, the building connects through an elevated bridge, forming an east-west gateway. One side of this link contains the community center, with a gymnasium and fitness center.
The clients on the project are the City of Toronto, Toronto Children’s Services, Toronto District School Board, and Toronto Catholic District School Board.
Related Stories
Education Facilities | Jul 16, 2020
Kennedy Middle School’s new Administration/Family Center
HED designed the project.
Education Facilities | Jun 4, 2020
Vermont’s Burr and Burton Academy expansion will feature mass timber and flexible spaces
KaTO and ZGF Architects designed the building.
Coronavirus | Mar 30, 2020
Learning from covid-19: Campuses are poised to help students be happier
Overcoming isolation isn’t just about the technological face to face, it is about finding meaningful connection and “togetherness”.
Education Facilities | Mar 3, 2020
Carisima Koenig, AIA, joins Perkins Eastman as Associate Higher Education Practice Leader
Perkins Eastman as Associate Higher Education Practice Leader
Multifamily Housing | Feb 26, 2020
School districts in California are stepping in to provide affordable housing for faculty and staff
One high school district in Daly City has broken ground on 122-apartment building.
Architects | Feb 24, 2020
Design for educational equity
Can architecture not only shape lives, but contribute to a more equitable and just society for marginalized people?
Education Facilities | Dec 5, 2019
A new Atlanta-area STEM magnet school will feature a flexible modular design
The design firm Cooper Carry combined three of its practice studios to collaborate on this project.
Education Facilities | Nov 18, 2019
The modernization of a Portland, Ore., school addresses societal concerns
Bullying, unintended segregation, privacy, and gender neutrality all factored into the redesign and upgrading of Grant High School.
Education Facilities | Oct 31, 2019
South-West Middle School welcomes its first students
Ai3 Architects designed the project.
Education Facilities | Oct 29, 2019
Virginia is home to Bjarke Ingels’ first U.S. public school
The school encourages indoor-outdoor learning.