Green-glazed terracotta cladding has begun to transform the exterior of the new Wallace Emerson Community Centre at the Galleria on the Park community in Toronto’s Dupont and Dufferin area. Designed by Perkins&Will for Almadev, the new, larger facility will replace the existing community centre to the east. UrbanToronto last provided an update in November, 2024, shortly after the community’s inaugural two towers welcomed their first residents.

Looking north to Wallace Emerson Community Centre, designed by Perkins&Will for Almadev

An atypical cladding choice in North America, but far more comon in Europe, the panels are supplied by NBK Architectural Terracotta, a German manufacturer. Part of their TERRART® system, the panels were custom-designed for the project. The procurement process proved complex, with the order placed in 2023 to account for the specialized production timeline and overseas shipping.

A photo from January, 2025, below, provides a close-up view of some of the first of the newly installed panels on the building's north elevation. Each green-glazed panel is secured to a concealed support system, with horizontal gaps seen between rows to allow for thermal movement and drainage, and will act as a rainscreen system, with an extruded profile and vertically fluted ridges. The wall behind the panels is lined with insulation.

A close-up view of the terracotta panels, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Installation is seen here advancing on the north and east elevations, with construction crew members seen working from a boom lift on the east elevation at the upper left corner of the photo. The elevations' angular geometry is evident here, where floor-to-ceiling glazing follows a downward-sloping line toward the northeast corner, contrasting with the upward slope along the roofline. 

Cladding installation on the east and north elevations, viewed from Dupont Street, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor evanb

Meanwhile, along the west elevation, the panels contrast with the uniform white masonry cladding which covers the southwest end. At the top left are mounting slots and brackets in place for upcoming panel installation. An articulating boom lift is stationed next to staged materials.

Terracotta panelling contrasting the white cladding on the west elevation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Looking south along the east side, panelling extends along the curved facade of the east elevation. A temporary construction fence separates the active construction zone from the occupied Galleria 01 & 02 towers to the left. Further south will be a ‘Public Forum’ area between the two buildings of the community centre, leading to the updated park area designed by Public Work. 

Looking south to the curved east elevation across from Galleria 01 & 02, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

At the southeast end, recent progress includes the installation of dark-tinted glazing panels across much of the second level, framed by black mullions. Below, a stretch of white tarp covers the ground floor, providing weather protection for ongoing interior work. Additional insulation has been applied around the two sections of glazing on the left, in preparation for the terracotta panels. Construction materials are staged in the foreground between the community centre’s main building and the smaller Field House to the east.

Insulation around recently installed glazing panels in preparation for further terracotta panels, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Looking south, the Field House’s angular upper section is clad in weatherproofing, while we see a section of grey brick cladding installed at the right end of this upper section. At grade, glazing has been installed on the left side, while the right side features sections of white masonry cladding.

Ongoing exterior work on the Field House to the east, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

The new community centre is expected to be completed in Summer 2026.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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