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The winning design: HTO
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In June 2003 the design created by a team led by Janet Rosenberg & Associates Landscape Architects (Toronto) and Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc. (Montreal) was presented to and approved by the Economic Development and Parks Committee and City Council.
The Rosenberg/Cormier team also included Hariri Pontarini Architects, Sustainable Edge (Environmental Engineering), Beth Kapusta (Communications Consultant), William Greer (Heritage Advisor), Rina Greer (Public Art Consultant), Leni Schwendinger (Lighting Designer), and Janet Cardiff (Artist).
The Rosenberg/Cormier design known as HTO, is based on six elements or layers: ground planes, water, islands, expressive horticulture, lighting and beach furniture.
Ground Planes - The site will be reformed to create a tilted plane that acknowledges two aspects: the urban side and water side. At selected viewing points, a series of tilted planes break through the surface as places for sitting and gathering. Umbrella-dotted terraces will step down to the lake. In addition, a pattern of linear surface planes running east-west across the parks abstractly recall the railway tracks that fed the now-defunct industries of the area. The plan calls for bands of limestone, concrete and pebbled surfaces that will be interspersed with water streams.
| Water - A series of connected water elements will accentuate the theme of water returning to its source. Each element will be programmed to celebrate the intrinsic qualities of water. These include motion activated sprays, steam and fog, variations in colour and coloured ice. |  |
Islands - The overlay of green islands provide gently sloping lawns for repose. Islands that meet residential buildings will become horticultural to mediate between the public and private. The islands in the slips mediate storm water overflow. Native water's edge species will act as an urban estuary to provide a living filter for micro-organisms.
| Expressive Horticulture - The planting strategy involves three basic treatments: sloping lawns, horticultural and bio-remediation islands. Tree planting expresses a north-south gradient from a grove of multi-stem ash at the north, to wind-catching willows towards the water's edge. Planting of horticultural islands will provide interest through the year, and buffer the residential or more private areas of the park. Selected species with winter berries will contribute to the idea of the site as a bird and wildlife habitat. |  |
Lighting - Seasonal animation, a sense of identity, playfulness and security will be created through the lighting. Tall mast lights will act as 'area moons' and will be programmed to change seasonally. Lighting will transform the dark surfaces of the water basins. The water's edge will be softly illuminated by a connective glow. The lighting will also be a vehicle for creating a sense of theatre and journey on the cultural corridors that line the city to the water.
| Beach Furniture - The design calls for informal beach furniture scattered across the south end of the site, transforming it from an urban park to an urban beach. During the summer, umbrellas and beach chairs will be available from a kiosk. Umbrella sleeves cast into the concrete will increase in frequency as they approach the water. |  |
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