December 20, 2006

FERRUCIO SARDELLA

A view of the future Evergreen Gardens, with winding paths and structured greenspace.

Architecture

Historical landmark to undergo major facelift

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

Evergreen has chosen an integrated team of professionals to lend a helping hand in the detailed design and construction of its ambitious master plan for Evergreen at the Brick Works.

The team will help Evergreen transform Toronto’s Don Valley Brick Works factory buildings “from an underused deteriorating asset to a thriving, environmentally based community centre engaging visitors in diverse experiences connected to nature.”

A joint venture between two Toronto-based firms, Joe Lobko Architect Inc. and du Toit Allsopp Hillier will lead the process with Joe Lobko as the prime architect and John Hillier as the lead landscape architect.

The team also includes Claude Cormier Architectes Paysagistes Inc. of Montreal, Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc. of Toronto and E.R.A. Architects Inc., also of Toronto which will act as heritage architect.

“Because Evergreen at the Brick Works is such a rich and complex project, we wanted to go with a collaborative approach, with a broad and diverse group of experienced hands at the design table,” said Geoff Cape, Evergreen’s executive director.

“This group has a superb team chemistry among themselves and with Evergreen — they truly understand our vision and the historical and ecological relevance of this site.

EVERGREEN/architectsAlliance

A view of Evergreen Gardens from the north as it looks today.

“In addition to their creativity and strong design strategy, the team brings a playful energy to their design which fits so well with Evergreen’s culture.”

Ground is expected to be broken in the spring of 2009 on the project. The construction budget is $40 million.

Evergreen said it is striving to create the greenest building in North America. In addition to the building being built based on strong sustainable green design, its programming, partnerships, operations and its large native plant nursery will also be developed with the same philosophy at its core.

“Evergreen at the Brick Works has the potential to show us how to reconnect with nature through the exploration of history, sustainable design, education and community coming together in this unique site at the heart of Toronto’s ravine system,” Lobko said.

EVERGREEN/architectsAlliance

The Marketplace Pavilions will be a major attraction for residents and visitors alike.

The design team will work with a master plan produced by Toronto-based architects Alliance.

Evergreen spokesperson Dave Schultz told Daily Commercial News that the team is revisiting several aspects of the master plan “to ensure the spirit of the project is not compromised with the changing of professional hands.”

Actual design work associated with Evergreen’s programming phase will get under way in late January, he said.

EVERGREEN/architectsAlliance

The Chimney Court will maintain the current Brick Works landmark chimney.

The Don Valley Brick Works is managed by the City of Toronto and owned by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

“When we begin to have a better understanding of our programming needs, we will lock down our final ideas with Evergreen’s multitude of supporters — in particular, the city and the conservation authority — as well as our funders and, of course, the general public.”

Other members of the integrated design team include sustainability/green design consultants Halsall Associates Ltd., mechanical and electrical engineers Stantec and site engineers TSH.

Evergreen is a national, nonprofit environmental organization.

Print | Email | Comment