ROBERT STREET PARK & RECREATIONAL FIELD

In 2019, STUDIO tla was retained by University of Toronto to revitalize the Robert Street Field project. As a brownfield site, the project was broken into (4) major sections that required the removal and demolition of the MacMurray Field House and Arena, the Geothermal Exchange System, the Recreation Field and the Community Area. The vision for the project was a distinctive landscape that reinforced and improved the University’s framework of open space in the downtown campus while also connecting it to the surrounding community.
 
As prime consultant, we assembled a team of expert subconsultants to collaborate with us in the design. Collectively, we designed a green and environmentally sustainable space that included pollinator planting beds with seasonal interest, a geo-exchange system under the Robert Street Field and a water harvesting system to capture the rainwater and surface drainage for irrigation use. The artistically designed shade structure was inspired by patterns and reflections of large shade trees. The natural playground was designed to meet all AODA and Barrier Free Design standards while also being socially interactive.