New designs revealed for Toronto bridge that will act as a ‘gateway to the waterfront’
Five shortlisted designs were presented last week by Waterfront Toronto for the city’s Port Lands district.
By Joshua Chong Staff Reporter
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Torontonians are invited to provide feedback on five designs for a new bridge in the city’s Port Lands district.
The shortlisted projects were selected in August, from a pool of 13 applicants, and prospective teams presented their designs at a public meeting last Thursday.
The new pedestrian bridge will serve as a “distinctive gateway to the waterfront,” connecting the Quayside district on the mainland to Villiers Island across the Keating Channel.
The public can offer their feedback on the designs via an online survey, which closes Thursday. Waterfront Toronto said the survey responses will inform, but not determine, its final decision, which it anticipates will be announced later this fall.
The city’s Port Lands redevelopment project began in 2017. Waterfront Toronto said flood protection work, including the creation of a new river valley, is scheduled for completion next year. From there, “land that was once unusable and under the threat of flooding will be ready to transform into complete communities and thriving businesses.”
A spokesperson for Waterfront Toronto told the Star that the bridge is expected to be completed in 2026.
Here’s a look at the five shortlisted designs for the waterfront neighbourhood’s new bridge.
1) Maamawi’ Bridge
The name for this proposed bridge comes from Indigenous term meaning “connect,” explained Entuitive, the project’s lead firm. The curved walkway design is based on Indigenous principles and will be constructed, in part, with wood. Its smooth and modern structure will include public art from Indigenous artists. The design will also feature seats placed strategically along the bridge and elements that will help support local biodiversity, such as a turtle nesting site and bat boxes.
Maamawi’ Bridge, from lead firm Entuitive.
Entuitive / Waterfront Toronto
2) Nda-Nwendaaganag
Inspired by the Anishnaabe saying “all my relations,” this proposed bridge from the lead firm EXP was developed in partnership with Indigenous co-designers. Its eastern side, called the 7th Fire Wall, features a steel curtain with traditional Indigenous designs. Plants line the entire length of the pedestrian bridge and on one end, a green wall will provide a nesting area for migratory birds. The other end, meanwhile, will feature a medicine wheel fire pit.
Nda-Nwendaaganag, from lead firm EXP.
EXP / Waterfront Toronto
3) The Salmon Run
This bridge from the lead firm Henning Larsen is meant to evoke the process of salmon migration, as its name suggests. It features an S-shaped, suspension design with cables and a grand structural arch flying over the pedestrian walkway. The design’s meandering path, with dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, will pass over a lush floating landscape on the water’s edge. In their presentation, the project designers tout the bridge’s resilience and low maintenance design.
Salmon Run, from lead firm Henning Larsen.
Henning Larsen / Waterfront Toronto
4) The Harbour Eye
The centrepiece of The Harbour Eye bridge proposal, from the firm RJC Engineers, is an oculus in the middle of the structure, offering pedestrians an “eye” to the biodiversity below. At night, fish-friendly “blob” lights illuminate to attract aquatic activity. The walkway also features a stepped plaza, where the public can sit and enjoy the harbour views, and Indigenous designs on its vaulted steel underside. The project’s designers say the bridge responds to the geography in the area and incorporates ecological niches to support local biodiversity.
The Harbour Eye bridge design, from lead firm RJC Engineers.
RJC Engineers / Waterfront Toronto
5) The Equinox Bridge
This proposed bridge, from the firm Zeidler Architecture Inc., features an S-shaped deck and twisted arch design. The pedestrian walkway offers ample tiered seatings and perforated wind screens. It also incorporates native plants that designers say will aid in soil remediation and water filtration. One of the key features of the bridge is that during the summer and winter solstice, sunsets align exactly with the bridge’s arch.
Equinox Bridge, from lead firm Zeidler Architecture Inc.
Zeidler Architecture Inc. / Waterfront Toronto
Five shortlisted designs were presented last week by Waterfront Toronto for the city’s Port Lands district.
By Joshua Chong Staff Reporter
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Torontonians are invited to provide feedback on five designs for a new bridge in the city’s Port Lands district.
The shortlisted projects were selected in August, from a pool of 13 applicants, and prospective teams presented their designs at a public meeting last Thursday.
The new pedestrian bridge will serve as a “distinctive gateway to the waterfront,” connecting the Quayside district on the mainland to Villiers Island across the Keating Channel.
The public can offer their feedback on the designs via an online survey, which closes Thursday. Waterfront Toronto said the survey responses will inform, but not determine, its final decision, which it anticipates will be announced later this fall.
The city’s Port Lands redevelopment project began in 2017. Waterfront Toronto said flood protection work, including the creation of a new river valley, is scheduled for completion next year. From there, “land that was once unusable and under the threat of flooding will be ready to transform into complete communities and thriving businesses.”
A spokesperson for Waterfront Toronto told the Star that the bridge is expected to be completed in 2026.
Here’s a look at the five shortlisted designs for the waterfront neighbourhood’s new bridge.
1) Maamawi’ Bridge
The name for this proposed bridge comes from Indigenous term meaning “connect,” explained Entuitive, the project’s lead firm. The curved walkway design is based on Indigenous principles and will be constructed, in part, with wood. Its smooth and modern structure will include public art from Indigenous artists. The design will also feature seats placed strategically along the bridge and elements that will help support local biodiversity, such as a turtle nesting site and bat boxes.
Maamawi’ Bridge, from lead firm Entuitive.
Entuitive / Waterfront Toronto
2) Nda-Nwendaaganag
Inspired by the Anishnaabe saying “all my relations,” this proposed bridge from the lead firm EXP was developed in partnership with Indigenous co-designers. Its eastern side, called the 7th Fire Wall, features a steel curtain with traditional Indigenous designs. Plants line the entire length of the pedestrian bridge and on one end, a green wall will provide a nesting area for migratory birds. The other end, meanwhile, will feature a medicine wheel fire pit.
Nda-Nwendaaganag, from lead firm EXP.
EXP / Waterfront Toronto
3) The Salmon Run
This bridge from the lead firm Henning Larsen is meant to evoke the process of salmon migration, as its name suggests. It features an S-shaped, suspension design with cables and a grand structural arch flying over the pedestrian walkway. The design’s meandering path, with dedicated lanes for cyclists and pedestrians, will pass over a lush floating landscape on the water’s edge. In their presentation, the project designers tout the bridge’s resilience and low maintenance design.
Salmon Run, from lead firm Henning Larsen.
Henning Larsen / Waterfront Toronto
4) The Harbour Eye
The centrepiece of The Harbour Eye bridge proposal, from the firm RJC Engineers, is an oculus in the middle of the structure, offering pedestrians an “eye” to the biodiversity below. At night, fish-friendly “blob” lights illuminate to attract aquatic activity. The walkway also features a stepped plaza, where the public can sit and enjoy the harbour views, and Indigenous designs on its vaulted steel underside. The project’s designers say the bridge responds to the geography in the area and incorporates ecological niches to support local biodiversity.
The Harbour Eye bridge design, from lead firm RJC Engineers.
RJC Engineers / Waterfront Toronto
5) The Equinox Bridge
This proposed bridge, from the firm Zeidler Architecture Inc., features an S-shaped deck and twisted arch design. The pedestrian walkway offers ample tiered seatings and perforated wind screens. It also incorporates native plants that designers say will aid in soil remediation and water filtration. One of the key features of the bridge is that during the summer and winter solstice, sunsets align exactly with the bridge’s arch.
Equinox Bridge, from lead firm Zeidler Architecture Inc.
Zeidler Architecture Inc. / Waterfront Toronto
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