A suite of three municipal parks intertwined with a mixed-use development represents the deepening partnership between the private and public sector in creating shared, common spaces.
Multiple design concepts were produced throughout the process to show the opportunities available in
Status: Under Construction
defining the increasingly urban direction of public realm in the growing City of Markham.
The priority was placed on large-scale gestures juxtaposed with finely-scaled details and enduring materials to emphasize the civic nature of these new spaces.
Landscape materials were chosen that will develop a patina over time: weathering steel, granite, clay brick. Instead of degrading, they mature and develop character that is irreplaceable.
One concept produced drew heavily on traditional public space types, creating an open plaza facing Yonge Street that is anchored by a large fountain and waterwall feature.
In the Central Park space, a quad-style courtyard is defined by bands of paving extending from the Yonge Street plaza and rows of lush planting.
A second concept was dominated by raised planes, contrasting materials and bold paving patterns. Organic routes throughout the parks characterize the more exploratory spaces created in this design.
A more sculptural attitude was adopted in the central park, with smaller nooks nestled at the ends of larger, sloping lawns.
Strong graphic image in this design represents the early experimental phases of the design process. The capacity of the space to accommodate bold and irregular gestures was pushed to the limit to create an energetic, festive environment.
