Photograph of Jackman Public School Green Roof taken by Scott Torrance, 2011

Deputation letter from Scott Torrance to Planning and Growth Management Committee:

Open Letter from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities:

Congratulations to Levitt Goodman Architects, whose project Ghesig Daycare Centre  in Scarborough is featured in this month’s Canadian Architect. We were honored to be  a part of such a creative team and design a unique natural play space. Here is the link to the article. http://ikoro.com/connect/lga/m/list/lt.php?id=YUxUAVNTSVcOTQVZBQI%3D

This linear naturalized playground provides integrated specialized spaces for each age group from preschooler to adults. The diverse elements of the playground allow for creative play, independent play, small group play and large group gatherings. A soft rubber surface provides a safe zone for crawlers and toddlers, while a linear path provides a trail for young bike riders. A linear bioswale that runs the length of the site helps in storm water management and provides an interesting interactive learning element for young users of the natural process of water and its management. Large boulders located sporadically along the bioswale, log edging and large play mounds provide interactive play elements and independent seating opportunities. A Three Sisters Garden (corn, squash and beans) in low mounds in the southern portion of the site allows for gardening, nature education as well as traditional culture education.

Grass berms and wooden logs provide opportunities for exploration

Bridges over turf bioswale allow for exploration and imagination

Raised deck and sliding black boards that hide storage allow for creativity in the outdoor classroom

Turf bioswale acts as a functional element that evokes a sense of play as rain water from the roof runs into the bioswale

On October 5th, 2011 Scott Torrance led a group of Danish and Norwegian visitors on tour of Native Family and Child Services Green Roof.

(Left to Right) Scott Torrance, members of Danish, Swedish Delegation

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On October 6, 2011,  Scott Torrance and Danny Bartman of Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd.led a tour the green roof for Greenbuild 2011 International Conference and Expo attendees.

Scott Torrance and Svetlana Lavrentieva attended the opening ceremony at Native Child and Family Services at Galloway Road in Scarborough on September 29th, 2011. Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. worked together with Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd. to create a natural outdoor play space, which allows for a variety of experiences and explorations.

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(Left to Right) Scott Torrance, Dean Goodman, Greg Latimer

Sitting Logs and Play Bridges

Toddler Area

Sand Play Area

Scott Torrance and Svetlana Lavrentieva did a final walk through at Heart Park on October 7th, 2011. The park will be officially open in late November, 2011.

The idea behind Heart Park came from a community design competition, which was held for the park and was won by Dr. Karen Aiken in 2006 . The design conceived by Dr. Aiken was based on the anatomical structure of a human heart containing four separate chambers. Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. used this idea to design a space that reflected such concept. Four ornamental planting beds, representing the chambers of the heart,  surround a central planter with a circular bench. The four chambers are divided by walkways within the park. A large Red Oak  tree, planted in the central planter, shades the bench and creates a focal point for the park’s unique position at Avenue Road and Otter Crescent. Native and ornamental plant species  provide seasonal display while encouraging biodiversity in this unique, sustainable urban public space.

( Left to Right) John Naoum (Lomco Landscape Contractors Ltd.), Scott Torrance (Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc.), Svetlana Lavrentieva (Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc.), Alice Wong (City of Toronto – Parks, Forestry and Recreation)

Jury Comment

The West Toronto Railpath, a linear park that runs along the semi-naturalized right-of-way adjacent to the Georgetown GO rail line, represents an inspiring example of how urban exploration and ecologically-minded advocacy can create important new public spaces. It runs behind former industrial properties that are gradually converting to loft use, and connects the Junction with points to the south. The park’s design is an inviting composition of sensitive landscaping that respects the wild quality of the rail corridor, combined with public art pieces and distinctive markers around the entry points and intersections with the street grid. As with the High Line in New York, the Railpath is a unique local response to a previous era’s transportation infrastructure. It suggests powerful new possibilities about how pedestrians and cyclists can move through the city.

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At the 2011 Urban Design Award Ceremony

We are pleased to receive an Award of Excellence for the West Toronto Railpath at the 2011 Toronto Urban Design Awards in the Small Open Spaces category.  We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the only two Award of Excellence winners in the open spaces categories.  We  share this honour with the Award of Excellence winner  for Large Places or Neighbourhood Designs – Canada’s  Sugar Beach, led by Claude Cormier +Associates Inc. and The Planning Partnership.

Project Team:

Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc. (Prime), Brown and Storey Architects Inc., John Dickson – Artist, K.H. Davis Consulting Ltd., Nexgen Electrical Engineers

On May 31, 2011 The CBC’s Mary Wiens spoke with author Ken Greenberg about the City’s rail trails and how they are positive indicators for the City’s future.  The interview can be heard at the following link:

http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/columnists/mary-wiens/2011/05/31/rail-trails/

Press the listen button at the lower left to access the audio file.

The West Toronto Rail Path can be accessed from Dundas West, Bloor Street, Wallace Avenue and Cariboo Avenue.

Here are a few more pictures from the West Toronto Rail Path to look at while you listen.

Detail of Entry Signage

Daytime on the Trail

Evening on the Trail - Courtesy of Brown and Storey Architects Inc.

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Artist: Dean Baldwin

Architect: Levitt Goodman Architects

Landscape Architect: Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc.

STLAi, together with Dean Baldwin and Levitt Goodman Architects, entered Dawes Road and Victoria Park Avenue Public Art Competition. Landscape Architectural component of the proposal will include numerous pathways dissecting the site into a variety of green pockets. These green areas will provide opportunities for urban agriculture for the surrounding community. Another important component of the design will include a  City Orchard.  It will become an integral part of the community’s involvement and will strongly complement  the artist’s Signpost art piece.

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On August 11th, 2011 Lei Chang and Svetlana Lavrentieva of STLAi attended Fresh City Farms Launch Party. Fresh City Farms empowers young people to farm organically in the Greater Toronto Area in backyards, front yards and beyond. For further information about this organization please visit www.freshcityfarms.com

“Dean and I are on the roof at 30 College. It is STUNNING. Have you been there recently? I am going to get Ben over to take more photos.You did an amazing job. The design is perfect. Many thanks.”- – Janna Levitt, Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd., August 27, 2011

Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses

Ceremonial Fire Circle and Healing Lodge

Sumac Grove, Three Sisters Gardens and Teaching Mounds

Cedar and Serviceberry Garden adjacent to Healing Lodge

Teaching Mounds and Story Tree

Timber Seating and Oxidized Metal Guards

Sweet Grass, Maize and Sumac

Architect: Levitt Goodman Architects Inc.

Landscape Architect: Scott Torrance Landscape Architect Inc.

Photography by: A-Frame Incorporated