raw designs urban room development to save Gardiner Expressway

The Gardiner Expressway in Toronto has been a bone of contention for some years. The City of Toronto has discussed the possibilty of removing the expressway and beautifying the waterfront and public space surrounding it but in spite of this there has been no progress to date. Architecture firm, raw design has decided to take the initiative and, instead of joining the rally to get rid of the Gardiner, is creating developments that utilise the neglected expressway.

Currently nearing completion, Panorama is the latest in a series of developments in the area, by developers Concord Adex, collectively known as CityPlace. The location of Panorama gave architect Roland Rom Colthoff, formerly of Quadrangle Architects, the impetus to revamp the dead space under the expressway into a large outdoor vestibule for residents. This is the first building to use the space beneath the Gardiner as an urban room and it will feature design elements by public artist Pierre Poussin. The design aims to incorporate the Gardiner as a fluid part of the city’s design for the future.

Source: worldarchitecturenews