AlbertC

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City:
Toronto
Community engagement website: http://createyourplace.ca/

The first review with the DRP will be on January 23rd, 2020:



Western North York Community Centre

The City of Toronto is planning to design and construct a new community centre at 60 Starview Lane Opens in new window.

Project Timeline
  • Fall 2019: schematic design
  • Spring 2021: tender and contract award
  • Summer 2021: construction starts
  • Spring 2024: expected completion
Timelines are estimated and are subject to change.

About the Project

The site at 60 Starview Lane was purchased in 2015 and is east of Weston Road and Starview Lane. It is next to the Toronto Catholic District School Board’s St. Basil-the-Great College at 20 Starview Lane.

The scope of work for this project includes the planning, design and construction of a new 77,000 square foot state-of-the-art community and recreation centre. The new centre will replace the existing Carmine Stefano Community Centre, currently being leased by the City. The new community centre will provide enhanced programming with no interruption to service.

Possible components may include:

  • an aquatic centre;
  • a gymnasium;
  • a walking track
  • fitness centre with studios;
  • flexible multi-purpose rooms;
  • a licensed child care; and
  • outdoor spaces.
It will be a place for the community to gather and to socialize. It will be a place that cultivates creativity, health and well-being, inclusivity, and accessibility for all ages and will improve the quality of life for the community.
 
Key notes from the January 23, 2020 DRP Minutes:


Panel Commentary

The Panel thanked the design team for their presentation and for bringing the project forward at an early stage. The Panel thought the project was very exciting and commended the team on both the design and sustainability aspects of the proposal, which many members called "above the curve" and "truly exceptional".

The Panelists thought the proposal had demonstrated a clear, strong parti that would "create joy without too much fuss". Several members pointed out that there had been an enormous amount accomplished in an elegant, understated way, specifically regarding public realm connectivity and sensitivity to the existing community, on a challenging and complex site.

The Panel looked forward to seeing the project progress.

Response to Context (including local character and heritage)

Improved Site Circulation
The Panel complimented the design team on a "really good use of building and program". The Panelists thought the design and layout of the project would improve connectivity for the community as well as the site circulation for the community centre and school. Many members felt the proposal would become a future "asset to design".

Built Form (Massing, Height, Articulation and Heritage Conservation)

Built Form
The Panel thought the design was very strong at both the macro and micro scales. Many memberscommented that the industrial style of building, particularly the length and rooftop PV would be reminiscent of some of the past industry in the area. The Panelists thought the orientation, massing, fenestrations and front door were outward looking and sat comfortably in the site. Several members enjoyed the rendering included in the drawing package, noting they told a clear story and presented a "subversive playfulness". The Panel commented that the design was off to a good start and would be a joyful addition to the neighbourhood.

Proposed Materiality
The Panel were interested to see how the 180m long façade would be physically manifested through the material expression. Many members had questions regarding the contextually appropriateness of the proposed materiality to the neighbourhood, particularly on the front façade. Some members felt the use of brick to break up the massing at a smaller scale made sense.

Percentage of Glazing
Looking at the ratio of glazing, the Panel noted that while it had been generally used judiciously, there was a large south facing window. Many members suggested looking at differentiating the solid wall and fenestration by using views to create effect and tell a story. Several members pointed out that due to the amount of proposed glazing combined with the existing tree canopy, the design needed to consider bird friendly frits or other measures to mitigate birds hitting the glass.
 

westn.jpg
westn2.jpg
 

45674-135291.jpeg

'like' for providing the render'.......

But :mad: for that tasteless, dull, bulky, dated box!

I get that it's a Recreation Centre, there are areas you may not want windows; .......but that's far too little; there's just so much wrong there...........and so little right.

This facility has a big budget...........for the kind of money being spent on it, we ought to expect better!
 
Slides from presentation, linked above

View attachment 335641View attachment 335642

An abundance of surface parking too.............one more serious design no-no.

Of course design is subjective, but that is not a good take. Even in this drawing, this is a beautifully proportioned box. And those vertical lines appear to be slats shading windows in the gym. It is south facing.

One could argue that public buildings perhaps should not strive for minimalism, but MJM do this - at the level of massing and detail - as well as anyone anywhere.

As to the above.......we will very much disagree.
 
Surface parking lots, especially with non-permeable paving, cause a lot of problems. They result in more water entering the sewer system during storms and into local creeks and rivers. The end result is often flooded basements, the need to spend billions on upgrading stormwater infrastructure, poor water quality in the lake, and erosion and damage to ravines. They also contribute to the urban heat island effect.
 

Award Winning Net Zero Design - Western North York Community Centre Webinar


Friday, Apr 29 2022 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
(UTC-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Join the City of Toronto, MJMA, and Clean Air Partnership (CAP) in an informative session about the award winning design of the new community centre at 60 Starview Lane. We will highlight design challenges and solutions, as this building aims to be one of Canada's first net zero energy aquatic facility, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

 
The rest of the text from that IG post says…

"We’re happy to share that the Western North York Community Centre has been shortlisted for an award at the World Architecture Festival, in the Future Projects – Civic category.

Our team is looking forward to presenting the project at the festival in Lisbon!

@worldarchfest @cityofto"

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