ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83571357507?pwd=UURLZHdzR1UyTVQwSExVbzh1dVlpZz09

Join The Bentway, the City of Toronto, the Waterfront BIA, and the Downtown West BIA as the six teams shortlisted in the Waterfront ReConnect Design Competition unveil their design proposals. The teams have embarked on a nine-week design exercise to develop concepts for the York Street intersection and Simcoe Street Intersection, resulting in a more welcoming and accessible experience of the intersections for pedestrians and cyclists.

Please note: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided by Toronto Sign Language Interpreter Service. Please let us know if you require sign language interpretation when registering.

Shortlisted Design Teams

York Street Intersection

• Future Forest - Sans Façon + Zeidler
• Waking the Shore - LeuWebb Projects + DIALOG + Mulvey & Banani Lighting
• Boom Town - 5468796 Architecture Inc.

Simcoe Street Intersection

• Pixel Story - O2 Planning & Design Inc. + Mulvey & Banani Lighting + ENTUITIVE
• Patina of Life - Daily tous les jours + SvN Architects + Planners + Latéral
• Fragments of a Home - SOCA + Tiffany Shaw-Collinge + SHEEEP

About the Design Competition

In August 2021, The Bentway put out a call for professional Canadian artists and designers to develop creative interventions that re-imagine the experience of two key under-Gardiner intersections for pedestrians and cyclists – York Street and Simcoe Street.

Waterfront ReConnect challenged proponents to explore and expose the layered histories of the Gardiner, reinforce a sense of safety, arrival, and transition, enhance connectivity and transform an obstacle into an opportunity.

Drawing on The Bentway’s spirit of adaptation and innovation, six (6) design teams from across the country were selected to participate in the competition. The resulting proposals showcase how the Gardiner Expressway can be rethought and serve as a thriving civic asset both above and below the deck.

One (1) winning proposal for each intersection will be selected by an interdisciplinary jury and constructed in 2022. Timelines for implementation will be further refined with the City of Toronto. These demonstration projects will serve as pilot projects, testing experimental and innovative approaches. They will remain in place until the Gardiner Expressway is re-habilitated in this area between 2025-2028.

To explore the proposals and provide feedback, visit www.waterfrontreconnect.com.