Equinox Bridge Toronto architecture, Don River crossing, Villiers Island Ontario design, Canadian photos
Equinox Bridge in Toronto, Canada
3 June 2024
Architects: WilkinsonEyre; Zeidler Architecture, Two Row Architect and Arup
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Renders by WilkinsonEyre
Equinox Bridge, Toronto, Ontario
Designed in collaboration with Zeidler Architecture, Two Row Architect and Arup, the new Equinox Bridge in Toronto will connect the central waterfront to Villiers Island and the expanded park system along the new mouth of the Don River.
Award-winning architects, WilkinsonEyre, have been selected to design the new the Keating Bridge Channel Pedestrian Bridge in Toronto with their winning design concept Equinox Bridge.
The Equinox Bridge was selected through a design competition commissioned in partnership between Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto, in collaboration with Host Nation and Treaty Holder, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
Led by WilkinsonEyre, the project team includes local architecture practices Zeidler Architecture and Two Row Architect, sustainable development and engineering firm Arup and landscape architects PLANT.
A celebration of the connection between Indigenous communities and nature, the competition design concept aims to foster a connection between people and the water, achieved through lowered vantage points along the deck length.
Providing an elevated path of travel across the water, the Equinox Bridge will be a destination, offering a meeting place to rest and connect with nature. Referencing the Port Lands bridge typology, in particular the silhouette of the Cherry Street North Bridge, the Equinox Bridge takes an arched form with a sinuous hung deck below, connected by a sculptural array of fanning cables.
The fully accessible bridge adopts a gracefully curved S-shaped deck seamlessly connected to the northern bank. Its geometry comprises two mirrored C-shapes above the centreline of the bridge alignment, offering natural cycle calming.
The bridge’s orientation also aligns with the summer solstice sunset and winter solstice sunrise, both of which can be viewed from stepped timber seating areas at the two ‘noses’ of the S-shaped deck. This alignment also frames the equinox sunrise with the arch of the bridge.
The carbon positive design employs an anti-funicular steel arch structure, reducing the required steel tonnage in the bridge. All materials will be locally sourced whenever feasible, promoting local business and minimising travel distances, benefiting both people and the planet.
Star constellations serving as natural guides to Indigenous peoples (and selected in consultation with Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers) for thousands of years are inscribed into perforated metal screens, casting shadows on the bridge deck by day and by night, when backlit, making the constellations appear to glow.
The design team will continue to work with Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto, as well as other stakeholders, to evolve the winning design concept into Equinox Bridge’s final design.
“We have developed a beautiful signature bridge design which will provide Toronto with a striking new destination on the waterfront,” said Dominic Bettison, Director, WilkinsonEyre. “As a new gateway, the Equinox Bridge will promote interaction and enjoyment of panoramic views to the city, the island, and the wider lake.”
“The Equinox Bridge will become a true landmark in Toronto and we are proud to be a part of the talented multidisciplinary team that developed this ambitious and thoughtful design,” said David Collins, Partner, Zeidler Architecture. “It is through projects like this that we can continue to foster and honour the relationship of Indigenous communities with the land, integrate and protect our natural environment, and support the growth of our city.”
“This bridge is more than just a connector between the city and the former wetlands… it is a symbol of our intent to build in a way the benefits “all our relations”. Through regenerative work where the bridge touches down, the design intends to promote health and wellness for plants and animals, both above and below water” added Matthew Hickey, Partner, Two Row Architect.
“Engineering a structure designed to so harmoniously integrate into its environment is an honour,” said Yen Wu, who is leading the Arup team. “With the arch and deck in compression, the Equinox Bridge’s form-found geometry creates a stunning, organic shape that pays tribute not only to Toronto’s past but also to the innovation and resilience that define its future.”
Equinox Bridge in Toronto – Bulding Information
Architect: WilkinsonEyre – https://wilkinsoneyre.com/
Architect: Zeidler Architecture – https://zeidler.com/
Architect: Two Row Architect – https://www.tworow.com/
Architect: Arup – https://www.arup.com/
Project team
Design Lead: WilkinsonEyre
Prime Proponent: Zeidler Architecture
Indigenous Consultant/Architect: Two Row Architect
Engineering: Arup
Landscape Architect: PLANT Architect
ABOUT WILKINSONEYRE
WilkinsonEyre have built some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. Driven by a passion for architecture of the highest quality, we craft buildings of durability and delight. Our studios around the world design buildings that please clients and excite users.
Our global portfolio includes Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and Crown Sydney, a luxury destination hotel for Australia. We have spectacularly restored London’s Battersea Power Station, turning an industrial ruin into a new neighbourhood and visitor attraction, and have built headquarters and campuses for Dyson, Wellcome Trust, Deutsche Bank, CIBC, Munich RE, Facebook and Apple.
With studios in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, we have the agility and reach to realise projects throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and North America. We fuse architecture, engineering and culture, with an informed use of technology and materials. We embrace the spirit of the new tempered by an appreciation of context and environment. Our experience of taking projects to completion means our innovative solutions are delivered.
ABOUT ZEIDLER ARCHITECTURE
Zeidler is a leading Canadian architectural and interior design practice with a portfolio of award-winning, inspiring work that fosters social engagement, facilitates excellence, and delivers enduring value. The process of developing sensitive and practical solutions motivates us as we translate ideas into reality.
As a team, we create spaces that contribute to communities and encourage personal connection by welcoming all people. The process of developing responsive solutions motivates us as we translate ideas into reality. Attuned to innovations in sustainability, accessibility, design theory and materiality, we base our design decisions on evidence and people who use the projects we design.
ABOUT ARUP
Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 20,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.
Renders: WilkinsonEyre
Equinox Bridge in Toronto, Ontario images / information received 030624
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, North America
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