Urban Toronto was invited to the official opening and press tour of Corus Quay earlier this week. The 500,000 sq ft environmentally-friendly, open-concept, high-tech facility, designed by Diamond and Schmitt Architects, with interiors by Quadrangle Architects Limited, unites under one roof 24 television services, three radio stations, and over 1,100 employees formerly spread over eleven different locations.
Test by Doug Convoy Photos by Interchange42
The opening ceremonies, emceed by AM640 Radio personality John Oakley, included a pre-recorded congratulatory message from Mayor David Miller who was in Rotterdam in his capacity as Chair of the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.
From left to right: A.J. Diamond, Founding Principal, Diamond and Schmitt Architects; Lorne J. Brathwaite, President and CEO , Build Toronto; John Cassaday, President and CEO, Corus Entertainment; Marcos Gonzalez-Flower, Global Head of Media Consulting, Siemens IT Solutions and Services; Brian L. Curtner, Principal, Quadrangle Architects Limited.
A.J. Diamond of Diamond and Schmitt Architects described Corus Quay as an urban pioneer building whose big moves and simple glass skin allow it to be read easily from a distance.
Brian L. Curtner of Quadrangle Architects Limited sought to create a pleasant and playful work environment through the use of colour and the integration of water and wave motifs throughout the building.
Following the official opening, invited media were led through the facility by Scott Dyer, Chief Technology Officer of Corus Entertainment. Formglas-manufactured Glass Fibre Reinforced Gypsum (GRG) surrounds the elevators in custom wave patterns on the eighth floor.
The lounge area on the eighth floor opens out onto a large south-facing patio with green-roof elements.
Adjoining the lounge is a 100-seat screening room.
A typical open-concept work area on one of the staff floors, which encompass levels three, four, and five. Low cubicle walls and natural light foster collaboration and reduce energy consumption.
One of more than 150 meeting rooms at Corus Quay.
Master Control on the second floor with full HD broadcast infrastructure.
The 8,000 sq ft data centre, which consumes 40% less energy than Corus' previous broadcast facility.
The Q107 broadcast area, which is completely digitized.
The live studio performance space opens onto Sugar Beach, engaging the public with Corus Quay.
The gallery space features rotating exhibits of art created by Corus employees.
The staff lounge, a key gathering place, is fully open to the central atrium.
The five-storey bio wall overlooks the three-storey slide connecting the staff lounge with the ground floor. The bio wall utilizes plants to filter the air and lower energy use.
The slide reinforces the wave theme that permeates the building and promotes fun and informality among employees.
Another wave element is the fabric-covered aluminum ribbon that snakes around the slide and down one of the corridors inside the atrium.
Wave patterns continue in the terrazzo on the ground floor.
Wax-finished hemlock wall-panels are recycled from a long-collapsed wharf at the foot of Bathurst St, reinforcing Corus Quay's sense of place on Toronto's waterfront.
One of more than 250 informal meeting areas at Corus Quay.
A storage facility for up to 70 bicycles reflects the building's commitment to achieving LEED Gold Certification.
That concludes our coverage of Corus Quay's interiors. Next, we focus on the facility's three specially-commissioned art-installations by Troika, the renowned art and design practice based in London, UK. Stay tuned.
