The Big Idea

Perkins&Will

THE BIG IDEA Nine New Community Centres that Challenge and Inspire

The Big Idea Our nine new community centre designs are as unique as the locations and the communities they serve.

Each design is driven by a singular big idea that brings clarity to the experience, supports the project goals and creates memorable spaces.

In an increasingly homogenous urban environment, our aim is to elevate the quality of civic architecture by reflecting the unique character, values and identity of a community.

We had fun with our graphic collaborators, Doublenaut Design, illustrating these nine special places.

We also acknowledge the important contributions of our landscape design colleagues and engineering teams. Consider this document to be an inspiration and a challenge to build public architecture that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.

Turn the page to begin exploring “The Big Idea”!

Float

Shape

Layer

Stack

Cluster

Raise

Insert

Frame

Fracture

Float A sloping site offers so many opportunities. In our design journey for the Carrville Community Centre, we discovered that having restraint is the key. A simple dynamic roof form floats above the slope, shelters the various programs and organizes the site. The roof is carved to signify entry points, define experience and control daylight.

Carrville Community Centre, Library, and District Park Vaughan, Ontario

Activity and Program Partially dug into the ground, the building mediates between two levels.

The lower level contains the pool, gym and fitness area. On the upper level are the multipurpose rooms, track, library and childcare centre.

In the plan, the landscape and building are structured around a continuous east-west promenade, connecting the front door of the community centre to the park beyond and putting community programming on display.

Legend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Community Garden Tennis/Pickleball Court Change Pavilion Skate Trail Playground East Entry West Entry South Entry Urban Plaza Activity Lawn Garden Pump Track Open Lawn

1

2

3 4

13

6

5

7

8

11

9 10 12

Site Plan

N

Gathering Users will gather and move along a continuous promenade that begins in the interior common areas and extends out through the site. This blends the building and the park into a seamless experience.

Every space is thoughtfully designed for maximum inclusivity, ensuring that people of all abilities are welcomed and supported. The facility is on track for Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification.

Performance A continuous ribbon of glass establishes a horizon line that offers panoramic views to the park. This strategic and economic use of glazing is part of a passive strategy that supports the Net Zero goals of the project.

An 80% reduction in CO2 emissions related to building operations will be achieved through a combination of design strategies including efficient, allelectric mechanical systems and a highperformance envelope.

Shape Unexpected design moments in a city are always a delight. The public plaza for the Wallace Emerson Community Centre, and the two colourful pavilions that shape it, provides such a moment. Together, the community centre and the park building form a gateway that introduces the park to the urban context, providing a unique public realm that can be enjoyed throughout the four seasons.

Wallace Emerson Community Centre Toronto, Ontario

Activity and Program The new park and public realm were designed to bridge the needs of an established residential neighbourhood and an emerging high-rise development.

Program spaces activate this new urban context and provide distinctive public realm conditions on all sides, including a tree-lined boulevard, an animated laneway, a sheltered plaza, a children’s garden, and a skate/walking trail.

Legend 1

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Dupont Gate Community Laneway Terrace Water Plaza Free Form Play Terrace Skate/Walking Trail Skate Park Nature lay Sport Court Park

3

2 4

5

6

8

7

10 9

Site Plan

N

Gathering The challenges of a tight urban site inspired an innovative stacked program model. A vertical journey will take users from the ground floor aquatics and child care centre to a second floor gym, and then up to an outdoor roof track. This concentration and exposure of program inspires participation and captures the spirit of an active community.

Engagement Residents provided a clear community portrait that needed to be respected in the engagement process. Multiple sessions offered a deep dive into the life of a diverse community. This was instrumental to the shaping of a very contextual and inclusive design.

Layer Occasionally an opportunity arises to make good on past city building mistakes. The broader goal of this project is to bring order to a random suburban context that did not offer the intensity of urban life nor the respite of nature. The concept creates four distinct layers of use that mediate between clearly defined urban and natural environments. A series of timber frames define the main public space, capturing views of civic life against the backdrop of nature.

South Common Community Centre and Library Mississauga, Ontario

Activity and Program To accommodate new and existing outdoor programs on the irregularly shaped site, the architecture adopts a stepped massing of four discrete programmatic bars. Each bar is clearly expressed as a mass and supports a distinct programmatic grouping (library, public gallery, gym and fitness, aquatics).

Users travel perpendicular to the programmed bars, experiencing all of them as they move from a civic forecourt towards a verdant wood lot.

4

1

5

2

6 3

Legend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Picnic Splash Pad Tennis Court South Common Park Urban Plaza and Drop-off Reading Garden Woodlot

Site Plan

7

N

Gathering A glass-covered circulation spine integrates a large-scale brise soleil made of perforated metal to create a textured urban lantern. This central space binds all three main activities, creating a gallery where the community can enjoy better connections to the park, and program areas. The result, we believe, will foster a new sense of ownership and pride.

Engagement This facility is replacing an existing, well-loved community space. Residents wanted expanded programming, stronger connections to outdoor spaces and a place for civic gathering. They asked for inclusivity and equity, which is supported by universal accessibility throughout and specific program spaces that can accommodate the city’s most vulnerable population.

Stack Necessity does lead to invention. On this very constricted site, the best solution was to minimize the footprint, stack the program and maximize the park area. This innovative approach provides diverse programs on a restricted site within a building form that offers an urban landmark.

Rouge Valley Community Recreation & Child Care Centre Scarborough, Ontario

Activity and Program The building features four levels: a gym and track stacked above aquatics, fitness, and multipurpose spaces and a roof terrace. The childcare centre and welcome counter occupy the ground level.

A series of interconnected pathways and public gathering spaces around the building help activate the edges and create a safe and intuitive passageway for the surrounding community.

1

3 2 4

5

7

Legend 1 6

2 3 4 5 6 7

Site Plan

Playing Field Basketball Court Splash Pad Play Ground Outdoor Child Care Play Skateboard Park Parking with PV Canopy N

Gathering The community will gather at the vertical, daylit atrium spaces along the main circulation spine. They will have complete visibility of the stacked program spaces as they move up and through the community centre.

Outdoor terraces carved into the building’s main volume help to define programmable rooms, break down the massing of the three storey building and bring light and park views deep into its interior spaces.

Performance Apart from freeing valuable land, this design provided a compact building mass and a lower ratio of building envelope to enclosed program. This is a critical element in supporting the building’s CAGBC Net Zero Building Design strategy.

Net zero energy and emissions will be achieved through mechanical efficiencies, such as air source heat pumps, an enhanced building envelope and an extensive photovoltaic array over both roof and surface parking areas.

Cluster Imagine setting up camp in the woods with tents informally gathered around the fire; that was our inspiration for this project, which was designed to reflect a community’s image of itself.

We proposed three distinct sloped roof enclosures, all clustered and focused on a central hearth space.

Georgina Multi-Use Recreation Centre Georgina, Ontario

Activity and Program The size and form of the three main buildings were generated by the programs of library, pool and gym/track.

Extensive discussions with operators and accessibility committees informed an approach to inclusive and accessible design throughout the entire facility through the inclusion of gender neutral change rooms, universal washrooms, and clear wayfinding techniques.

1

2

3

4

5

Legend 1 2 3 4 5 6

Storm Water Retention Parking Reading Garden Entry Plaza Amphitheatre Trail

Site Plan

6

N

Gathering The three main activities come together to frame a public heart—a flexible community gathering space with a view onto every program offering. This carefully considered configuration creates program opportunities for informal community events, markets, movie nights, cultural celebrations and just plain old hanging out.

Identity When we spoke to the town residents, we learned of their unique sense of place. The three pavilions are each designed with a solid upper structure and simple sloping roof profile. Each program sits within a lofty space featuring a warm wood-lined interior and a durable metallic exterior. These simple architectural forms were inspired by the regional vernacular of boat houses, cottages and farms that occupy this semi-rural vacation spot in Southern Ontario.

Raise It is time to rethink how we provide community infrastructure in dense urban centres. Here, a bold new partnership raises community services onto the podium of a high-rise residential development. A cascading staircase and bright mosaics invite residents up from the street to explore a range of recreational programs.

One Yonge Community Recreation Centre Toronto, Ontario

Activity and Program The podium fit-up accommodates the City of Toronto Big 5 program template that includes aquatics, universal change rooms, gym, multipurpose rooms, fitness, nutrition kitchen, administration and lounge spaces.

Our plan navigates the structural requirements of an 81 storey mixed-use tower by providing an efficient circuit around the central building core clad in warm, ribbed wood panels. This looping passage takes visitors on an engaging journey through the varied program offerings at One Yonge.

Legend 1 2 3

Entry Park Future Development

3

1

2 3

Site Plan

3 N

Gathering The design celebrates the passage from the busy street up to the second floor. The inviting, open atrium space entices visitors to gather and to wander up to explore the recreation programs.

A distinctive stair and colorful mosaic tile murals, designed in collaboration with Doublenaut Design (just like this book), enliven the experience. With their reference to Toronto parks and urban landmarks, these whimsical murals celebrate the city and bring out the kid in all of us!

Engagement This was a new residential area with emerging population growth. The patterns of use or need were not clear enough to influence the program or design. In response, the planning allows for programming flexibility through the inclusion of more multipurpose rooms, open public recreation spaces and a range of group exercise spaces. The mix allows the programmers to tailor the services to evolving demands within a facility that acts as a silent partner supporting many possible futures.

Insert In a dense urban context, this centre must boldly stake its place. It plays a careful game of insertion, balancing urban exterior space and interior needs.

Programs are stacked, and the building bends to address the street and open vertical circulation to views in and beyond.

Brentwood Community Centre Burnaby, British Columbia

Activity and Program The layering of program is unified by a central atrium stair, which connects the lobby and outdoor plaza to various interior and exterior spaces within the building.

Openings in the facade reveal key program spaces, engaging the public realm and inviting the community to explore.

4

1

2

3

Legend 1 2 3 4

North Plaza Entry Plaza Mixed Use Residential Future Development

Site Plan at Second Level

N

Gathering The massing of the building reaches out towards Dawson Street at the south, creating a covered plaza and inviting the public into the building. The interior of the community centre offers a program condenser through a vertical journey; revealing the full range of programs and activities within.

Identity The rooftop terrace is an accessible and active space that terminates the journey through the building. It provides views to the surrounding city and is a showcased use on the entry facade. The urban intensity of program from grade to roof defines the character and identity of this centre.

The combination of open terraces, interconnected public spaces, and dynamic stair create a building that celebrates the insertion of community recreation and culture in a dense urban environment.

Frame Few buildings are more Canadian than the hard working, humble arena. For the City of Peterborough, we had an opportunity to raise the profile of this well-loved building type. Here, the twin pad rinks are enclosed in a colourful orange pavilion which is then framed by community programs, double height entries and a unifying roof plane. Our new approach brings beauty to the arena and civic life to an urban context.

Peterborough Arena and Library Peterborough, Ontario (Miskin Law Community Complex)

Activity and Program Program and planning were designed to create a civic hub that invites a diverse range of uses. It features two NHL-sized ice rinks with spectator seating, fitness studios, multipurpose rooms and a branch library.

The programmatic goal is for an inclusive complex that would serve a broad demographic of all ages. This civic facility is designed with a strong focus on accessibility, inclusive programs and gender neutrality.

1

2

3

4

5

6

Legend 1 2 3

Streetscape Boulevard Civic Lawn Entry Plaza

Site Plan

4 5 6

Drop off Parking Parking N

Gathering The curved orange wall under a civic scale roof is a simple and welcoming gesture. It invites visitors into a double height gathering space that looks out onto the park and into the program spaces.

Throughout the public realm there is strategic use of clear building forms, flexible programmatic planning and enduring materiality.

Identity Conceptual clarity in the use of durable materials, simple building forms and programmatic planning creates a strong place-making project. Even the careful choice of colour is a nostalgic nod to the site’s exhibition history and is used to denote programs. Orange and the use of boldly radiused corners signifies the active program areas of a skating and running track. This is framed by prismatic white volumes housing the library, administration area and multi-purpose rooms.

Fracture Sometimes the clues and inspiration of a site are not immediately apparent. This dormant field seemed lifeless until we dug deeper into its historic origin as a forested setting. The building elements are imagined as natural blocks fractured by primordial ice forces to create vistas and passages into the park.

Whitby Sports Complex Whitby, Ontario

Activity and Program The program goal is to support training, competing, and recreating. The sports park offers playing fields, courts and gathering spaces. The interior components include a twin pad arena, competitive 10 lane pool, gymnasium, track and multipurpose rooms.

The rink and gym are designed to serve community needs. Aquatic programming balances community use with the ability to host regional tournaments.

Y ILITAY VFRISOMIBHIGHW OINUGP GR PARK

A

M GY A

E, IVAT ACT ATE ANIM

K PAR

PL

PO

A

EN

EN

AR

G

DIN BUIL

AR OL

YM G ZA

AZ

PO

OL

PLA

ITES

ENIT

AM

Design Evolution Diagrams Legend 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Parking Future Program Event Plaza Basketball Court Parking Tennis Courts Pickleball Courts Playground District Energy Pavilion Soccer Field

1

2

4

6

3

5

8

9

7

10

Site Plan

N

Gathering By slightly rotating the program blocks, wedges of space are created at each entry. Within this dynamic public realm, a range of viewing areas and places to gather are accommodated. An accessible ramp links levels and brings focus to the centrally located reception counter.

This bold move exemplifies leadership in accessibility as a cutting edge community centre model.

Performance A number of environmental sustainability initiatives will make this facility the first Zero Carbon building and LEED Gold facility in Canada to include a twin pad arena, gymnasium, and aquatics facility.

Regenerative site strategies include: 30% canopy coverage within 12 years, 40 EV charging spaces, dark sky compliant lighting, pollinator gardens, habitat restoration and Low Impact Design landscaping.

Credits: Graphics: Nine Square Illustration; Doublenaut Design Photos: Georgina Multi Use Recreation Centre; Scott Norsworthy One Yonge Community Recreation Centre; Lisa Logan Architectural Designs: The very talented and inspired teams in the Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver Perkins&Will studios.

Toronto

Ottawa

Vancouver

Calgary

Collaborators: Carrville Community Centre, Library, and District Park

Wallace Emerson Community Centre

South Common Community Centre and Library

Structural—Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Mechanical—Smith + Andersen Electrical—Mulvey & Banani Civil—WSP Landscape—The MBTW Group

Structural—Entuitive Mechanical—TMP/BDP Electrical—Mulvey & Banani Civil—Counterpoint Landscape—Public Work Daycare Design—Cornerstone Architecture

Structural—Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Mechanical—TMP/BDP Electrical—Mulvey & Banani Civil—Husson Landscape—FRP Inc.

North East Scarborough Community Recreation Centre

Georgina Multi Use Recreation Complex

One Yonge Street Community Recreation Centre

Structural—Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Mechanical—Smith + Andersen Electrical—Smith + Andersen Civil—Husson Landscape—PMA Daycare Design—Cornerstone Architecture

Structural—Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Mechanical—Smith + Andersen Electrical—Mulvey & Banani Civil—WSP Landscape—FRP Inc.

Structural—Jablonsky, Ast and Partners Mechanical—MV Shore Electrical—MV Shore

Brentwood Community Centre

Peterborough Arena and Library

Whitby Sports Complex

Structural—Fast + Epp Mechanical—Introba Electrical—Smith + Andersen Civil—McElhanney Landscape—PFS Studio

Structural—Entuitive Mechanical—MCW Consultants Electrical—MCW Consultants Civil—DM Wills Landscape—FRP Inc.

Structural—Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. Mechanical—Smith + Andersen Electrical—Smith + Andersen Civil—Husson Landscape—The MBTW Group

Discover more:

Max Richter

Phil Fenech

Mike Murray

t +1 604 484 1596

t +1 416 702 7523

t +1 403 775 8703

max.richter@perkinswill.com

phil.fenech@perkinswill.com

mike.murray@perkinswill.com

Vancouver, British Columbia

Toronto and Ottawa, Ontario

Calgary, Alberta

Perkins&Will Toronto: https://perkinswill.com/studio/toronto/ Perkins&Will Ottawa: https://perkinswill.com/studio/ottawa/ Perkins&Will Calgary: https://perkinswill.com/studio/calgary/ Perkins&Will Vancouver: https://perkinswill.com/studio/vancouver/ Perkins&Will Sports Recreation and Entertainment: https://perkinswill.com/projects/sports-recreation-and-entertainment/ Sustainability: https://perkinswill.com/sustainability/ Copyright © Perkins&Will, 2024

Float

Shape

Layer

Stack

Cluster

Raise

Insert

Frame

Fracture

Perkins&Will

THE BIG IDEA Perkins&Will