Designing for Urban Streetscape Engagement

16 York Streetscape and Urban Patio

Project Photos

16 York, designed by B+H in collaboration with architectsAlliance, is a 32-storey office building located in Toronto’s fast-developing South Core district. Situated at the very centre of the world’s most diverse and dynamic metropolitan areas, 16 York is steps away from Canada’s largest transit hub, the Financial District and a vibrant mix of restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues. To capitalize on the location and create a compelling urban realm, B+H designed an urban patio with entry from the street edge and a green enclosure along Bremner Blvd. Designed to complement the architectural form and character of the building, the patio contributes to the streetscape and public realm through a modular system that allows for changes and replacement, while being adaptable to seasonal uses. It also increases the visual presence of retail space at street level by offering space to promote branding.

B+H also worked closely with artist Lars Fisk to coordinate the design and installation of an integrated playful sculpture that creates passive engagement and maintains the intimate scale of the pedestrian experience. The sculpture is enhanced by the flexible form of the spherical streetscape elements that also doubles as seating along the sidewalk. The whimsical nature of the sculpture and streetscape elements contribute to the energy and dynamism of this evolving district.