Etobicoke Commons | Diamond Schmitt Architects

Etobicoke Commons

Central to the inspiration for Etobicoke Commons is to create for the Toronto suburb a sense of identity and a civic heart. This center will be a destination for the public to engage in any number of activities, from recreation and learning to attending to business at municipal offices. The scheme includes community amenities of health services, public meeting spaces, a fitness center and pool, a library and retail.

A low-rise, tiered podium of folding, grass-lined surfaces houses all the major public spaces and surrounds The Green, a landscaped and inviting urban oasis at its center. The design supports two amphitheaters, an elevated Sculpture Walk, as well as terraces for small gatherings, a daycare play area, and space for outdoor markets.

A generous glass façade extends the public realm into and throughout the building. This transparency embodies the values of civic administration and is reinforced by a glass-lined council chamber that is adaptable for other community uses. The Great Hall is a multi-purpose space that orients and provides access to all activities and services within. The office tower above has a sequence of stacked atria that enable interaction among staff in both formal and informal settings.

The scheme is designed to achieve Net-Zero through a combination of robust strategies to reduce the energy-use intensity and generate on-site energy. A carefully calibrated window-to-wall ratio is supported by photovoltaics in roof and skin, triple-glazing and views dynamic solar control glass.

Project Info
Architects: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Location: Ontario, Canada
Client: Build Toronto
Type: Mixed use, Cultural center, Retail