IBI Group is the architect of record for both Finch West and Pioneer Village Station, based on the scheme designed by Will Alsop, in a joint venture with LEA Consulting Ltd. and WSP. Light Spell was designed by Tim and Jan Edler of realities: united. Pioneer Village station straddles the border of York Region, beneath the intersection of Steeles Avenue West and Northwest Gate, anchoring a corner of York University Campus. The station will serve as an integrated regional transport hub serving up to 20,0 00 subway passenger trip s daily, providing 1, 881 commuter parking spaces and two separate regional bus terminals. The location is otherwise underdeveloped and it is intended that the station entrances and bus terminals will create a public focal point that will serve the future development of the surrounding area, beginning with Steeles Avenue West. The subway station’s entrances were designed as a pair of sculptural structures; their height exceeding that necessary, to increase their visibility – ‘We learn a lot from cathedrals,’ said Will Alsop. Rendered in weathering steel, these two structures mirror each other in shape and scale. The bus station canopy – also Corten steel – has a huge cantilevered roof, the surface of which is planted with meadow grasses, to create a ‘green – roof’ and to provide shelter for waiting passengers. Both Pioneer Village station and Finch West station (below) comprise beautifully executed concrete work – in Pioneer Village the interior walls are faceted, highly – polished concrete and the supporting columns along the length of the platforms are angled and ovoid in section.
photography by © Wade Zimmerman
Project Info:
Architects: aLL Design
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Area: 16200.0 m2
Project Year: 2017
Photographs: Wade Zimmerman Photographer
Manufacturers: Rockfon, AGC North America
Project Name: Pioneer Village
Ruba Ahmed, a senior project editor at Arch2O and an Alexandria University graduate, has reviewed hundreds of architectural projects with precision and insight. Specializing in architecture and urban design, she excels in project curation, topic selection, and interdepartmental collaboration. Her dedication and expertise make her a pivotal asset to Arch2O.