ORCA Toronto - a 'park-oriented' community
Safdie Architects have collaborated with PWP Landscape Architects to design ORCA Toronto, a mixed-use, “vibrant park-oriented community” for the city.
The 5,100,000 square-foot site includes an 11-acre park, eight residential towers with 3,000 housing units, a commercial office tower, and 450,000 square-feet of retail space opening directly on to the park.
The ‘park-oriented’ community planned for Toronto.
A deck has been placed over an 800-metre stretch of rail corridor leading to Union Station. 100-metres wide, it previously split the city, so the design for ORCA, “reclaims a vast urban site in downtown Toronto”.
Vehicle access and parking is included within the decking structure, therefore 65% of the site area has been left as publicly-accessible open space for pedestrians and bikes. Pedestrian and cycle connections link to the existing network of streets and urban parks, with interconnected access to and from surrounding neighbourhoods.
The elevated and connecting bridges.
The towers have elevated connecting bridges that feature gardens and amenities for residents, and have been placed to preserve view corridors and sunlight on the park. Safdie Architects say that the bridges between towers, “form dramatic urban windows which frame city views and maximise visual porosity.”
Shops have been tucked under the park to integrate retail and landscape, with the galleria opening up to encourage indoor-outdoor use. Turning the traditional shopping mall model inside out, ORCA connects shops and restaurants with the park’s recreational experiences.
The bridges include gardens and other amenities for residents.
Spread across multiple levels, “the diversely programmed park provides a major amenity for the surrounding community.” With playgrounds, walking trails and bike paths, linked by ramps and elevators, it offers something for everyone.
“Toronto ORCA”, say Safdie Architects, “demonstrates the potential of a vibrant and active park-oriented urban community. The private development provides amenities and ensures year-round activity in the park.”
The park will offer year round activities for visitors and residents.