Toronto Waterfront Innovation Centre | 53.03m | 11s | Waterfront Toronto | Sweeny &Co

[AlbertC]

It's like the Commodore 64 of buildings.

 

[interchange42]

The fence is an administrative requirement now that the Province has officially given us permission to use this property as planned. Until we start construction on the new building, this area needs to stay fenced.

What?!

This has got to be a liability thing, like suddenly WT would be liable for anything untoward that happened to some yutes loitering carelessly (as they are wont to do) on the hill. Wouldn't it just be cheaper (and more public-friendly) to adjust insurance than to fence the thing for who-knows-how-long?

42

 

[syn]

What a huge step down from the original!

Why are we letting the waterfront get such disappointing projects?

 

[interchange42]

To be clear, the building proposal has yet to pass WT's Design Review Panel process. They've had some buildings come back for as many as 7 reviews.

42

 

[jje1000]

To be clear, the building proposal has yet to pass WT's Design Review Panel process. They've had some buildings come back for as many as 7 reviews.

42

As a counterpart, the fact that buildings like Aqualina got built speaks to how effectively WT can control quality architecture on the waterfront.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

To be clear, the building proposal has yet to pass WT's Design Review Panel process. They've had some buildings come back for as many as 7 reviews.

42

Though that only encourages non-disasters, not necessary greatness (e.g. Corus Quay). And in that case, the designs iterated upwards compared to the original scheme.

AoD

 

[MetroMan]

Seriously guys. Like what the actual f$&@???

It just keeps getting worse. They want to build this on the waterfront. In front of the award winning Sugar Beach. And they're calling it an "innovation centre"!

 

[stjames2queenwest]

Ya that looks really bad. Stick a Walmart sign on top. leave the mound alone. It is much more attractive.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Seriously guys. Like what the actual f$&@???

It just keeps getting worse. They want to build this on the waterfront. In front of the award winning Sugar Beach. And they're calling it an "innovation centre"!

I didn't realize they are building the Waterfront Regression Centre here.

AoD

 

[bilked]

leave the mound alone.

There's an idea:

Agree with the other posters that this thing seems to be iterating in the wrong direction.

 

[MetroMan]

Let's make some calls, write some letters, and tweet the members of the Waterfront Design Review Panel and @waterfrontTO. This abomination can't be built. We only have one shot at creating a beautiful waterfront.

Waterfront Design Review Panel Members:

Betsy Williamson

M.Arch., OAA Partner, Williamson Williamson



Betsy Williamson is a principal in the architectural design studio of Williamson Williamson, an office founded in 2008 with her partner Shane Williamson, that is committed to using both built and unbuilt work as vehicles to explore diverse research and design agendas.

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Brigitte Shim

Partner, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects Inc.



Brigitte Shim was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1958. She was educated at the University of Waterloo where she earned degrees in environmental studies and architecture. She has worked on the west coast of Canada with Arthur Erickson and Associates, and in Toronto with Baird/Sampson Architects.

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Bruce Kawabara, Chair

OAA, FRAIC, AIA, RIBA Partner, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects



Bruce Kuwabara is a founding partner of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects, a Toronto architectural practice recognized internationally for designing civic buildings and cultural institutions that reflect a deep commitment to public life.

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Chris Reed

Founding Principal, Stoss.



Chris Reed is the founding principal of Stoss. His innovative, hybridized approach to public space has been recognized internationally, and he has been invited to participate in competitions and installations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, the Middle East, Taiwan, and China.

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Claude Cormier

M.Des., MAAPQ, FCSLA, MASLA, C.Q. Principal, Claude Cormier + Associés



After establishing an office in Montreal in 1995, Mr. Cormier developed an internationally recognized practice that extends far beyond the conventional realm of traditional landscape design to forge bridges between urban design, public art and architecture

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George Baird

OAA, FRAIC, AIA Partner, Baird Sampson Neuert Architects Inc.



As both an academic and practising architect, George Baird has extensive, varied design knowledge. As an author, he has addressed issues in architectural history and theory in books as well as in articles in academic and architectural journals.

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Pat Hanson

OAA AAA RAIC, Partner gh3



Pat Hanson, OAA AAA RAIC is a founding partner of gh3, a practice based on a new paradigm that explores the overlap of architecture, landscape and sustainability. She is a registered architect who has deliberately staked out a broad practice in the belief that design encompasses the entire spectrum of the built environment, designing projects which bridge beyond architecture into urban design and landscape.

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Paul J. Bedford, Vice Chair

RPP, MCIP, OALA (Honourary) Urban Mentor and Retired Chief Planner, City of Toronto



As Chief Planner for the City of Toronto for eight years, Paul Bedford focused his energy on the development of new planning values, policies and processes to guide the next generation of city building in Canada’s largest city.

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Peter Busby

C.M., FRAIC, MAIBC, LEED Fellow; Managing Director, Perkins + Will, San Francisco



Since merging his Vancouver-based firm with Perkins + Will in 2004, Peter has been a driving force across the organization, directing over 100 employees working on projects across Canada, the United States, Europe and the Middle East.

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[christiesplits]

Dear Lord it's even worse! This 'innovation centre' is anything but.

Please find the list of the design panel members and known contact info:

Bruce Kuwabara, Chair
Partner, Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects
bkuwabara@kpmbarchitects.com

Paul J. Bedford, Vice Chair
Urban Mentor and Retired Chief Planner, City of Toronto
paul.bedford@utoronto.ca

Chris Reed
Harvard Associate Professor in Practice of Landscape Architecture
creed@gsd.harvard.edu

George Baird
Partner, Baird Sampson Neuert Architects

Claude Cormier
Principal, Claude Cormier + Associés

Brigitte Shim
Partner, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects
brigitte.shim@daniels.utoronto.ca

Betsy Williamson
Partner, WILLIAMSONWILLIAMSON Inc.,
betsy@wwinc.ca

Jane Wolff
Associate Professor
Director, Master of Landscape Architecture Program, University of Toronto
jane.wolff@daniels.utoronto.ca

Donald Schmitt
Architect and Principal, Diamond and Schmitt Architects Inc.
dschmitt@dsai.ca

Pat Hanson
Founding Partner, gh3
phanson@gh3.ca

Peter Busby
Managing Director, Perkins + Will, San Francisco
Peter.Busby@perkinswill.com

 

[christiesplits]

Here's a reddit thread about the debacle. Thank you to the UTer who linked to MM's render!

https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/69y5j4/uninspiring_waterfront_innovation_centre_a_missed/

 

[Red October]

This is atrocious. It just keeps getting worse and worse.

 

[condovo]

Inexcusable. A crime against urbanity.