Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study Laboratory School Playground, Toronto

JICS LABORATORY SCHOOL - LOG TOPOGRAPHY FEATURE, FROM START TO FINISH

Above and below: A major play feature developed especially for the JICS School is the log topography “mountain”, which provides a visual anchor in the site while encouraging childhood development of gross motor skills. Designed to be weather and play-proof, the author began with several sketch explorations and extensive materials research.

JICS LABORATORY SCHOOL - LOG TOPOGRAPHY FEATURE, FROM START TO FINISH

Consulting closely with playground safety inspection, structural, and civil engineering consultants, the author developed detailed construction documentation for the log topography feature, showing how the original vision was achieved through custom design interventions and problem solving.

VTLA Studio developed a detailed planting strategy for a largescale affordable housing complex operated by Woodgreen Community Housing Services.

The site is dominated by mid-rise residential buildings, and is shaded for much of the day. Hardy, low-maintenance, and native planting was a must to accommodate a limited landscape operating budget. The existing planting beds were small and had restricted soil volume. The dignity, comfort, and joy of the residents was a driving principle.

For this planting plan, VTLA Studio used an “ecological reference”. An ecosystem from Southern Ontario was chosen that closely resembled the site conditions, and a planting list was generated from that ecosystem. From there, the plant lists could be refined to the specific site conditions.

Under the guidance of the Principal, the author conducted multiple site visits for site inventory and analysis, met with the landscape contractor onsite to discuss potential planting strategies, met with the team architects on a regular basis, and developed a detailed planting plan.

Team: VTLA Studio, Susan Spiegel Architect, Woodgreen Community Housing

Completed September 2021

All images belong to VTLA Studio and were created by author.

WOODGREEN COMMUNITY HOUSING, PAPE AVENUE

Above: A concept plan of the ecological references for the planting strategy, canyons and cliffs. Selected plants included, but were not limited to, Thuja occidentalis, Tilia americana, and Diervilla lonicera, all low-maintenance once established and suited to limited soil volume. Below: A site plan shows proposed planting across the site. The planting strategy changed through the site to address changing sun and shade conditions, microclimates, available soil volumes, screening and privacy, seasonal interest, and user experience. Scale 1:600

WOODGREEN COMMUNITY HOUSING, PAPE AVENUE

Above: Completed planting for section L1-5 as per planting plan on page 20 (see dashed line on plan).

Below: Detailed planting plan for section L1-1 as per the planting plan on page 20 (see dashed line on plan). Scale 1:100

VTLA Studio is landscape architect for the new national headquarters of Community Food Centres Canada. CFCC is a nonprofit organization that builds health, belonging, and social justice in low-income communities across Canada through the power of food.

The proposed site, fronting a former industrial warehouse in the east end of Toronto, is a large asphalt parking lot set back 25m from the sidewalk. VTLA Studio’s scope of work is to develop a landscape plan that reflects CFCC’s mission and values, showcases the possibilities for urban agriculture, and can host extensive community programming.

The author’s responsiblities for this project included developing a proposal presentation that addressed the client’s needs and organizational values; multiple site visits with both the architect and the client to review site inventory, analysis, and design ideas; developing a base survey, concept development and refined design development; researching materials and developing drawings for specialty features such as a woodfired pizza oven, and development of landscape drawings for submittals to the City of Toronto.

Team: VTLA Studio, Hilditch Architect, Odan-Detech Consulting Engineers

Anticipated completion Spring 2023

All images belong to VTLA Studio and were created by author.

Cfcc National Headquarters

A plan render shows a meandering walkway leading to the front entrance, lined with trees and ample seating for community programming. A decorative fence divides the public realm from the private space, and allows for child-friendly programming along a busy street. The private space is suited to foodcentred programs with a covered outdoor kitchen bar, wood-fired oven, and urban agriculture showcase garden. Scale 1:350

Cfcc National Headquarters

Detailed site section elevations were developed as part of the SPA package. Above: longitudinal section A-A’. Below: latitudinal section B-B’. Scale 1:200

Cfcc National Headquarters

The author developed a 3D model of the proposed design in Rhino 3D to help the client and team understanding massing and site organization. Images of the model also assist in CFCC’s fundraising efforts and allow the team to develop quick collage renders.

In physics, the kinetic energy of an object is the energy built up within it due to its motion. Building upon this idea, our installation shows how the motion of just two individuals could build up, expand, and multiply kinetic energy to create a spectacular wave of colour.

Visitors are invited to play on a seesaw, but will be surprised at how a familiar activity can have such unfamiliar and exciting results. As the seesaw moves up and down, a wave of kinetic energy radiates from pink to blue as the aluminum planks oscillate from the motion created by the users. The fantastic displays of colour and movement created by kinetic energy allows each participant to “make waves” in their own way.

This project is a winner of the 2019 edition of the Festival International de Jardins de Metis (The Metis Gardens International Design Festival) at the Reford Gardens, Quebec.

Team: Thevishka Kanishkan, Reesha Morar, Cornel Campbell, Anton Skorishchenko, and Ted Kesick

Completed June 2019

All images shown belong to author and the Festival International de Jardins de Metis