Two Old Mill

Project
Two Old Mill

Location
Toronto, ON

Award Winner
Janet Rosenberg & Studio

Project Team

Green Roof Supplier: Sasha Aguilera, Next Level Stormwater Management
Landscape Architect & Green Roof Designer: Janet Rosenberg, Janet Rosenberg & Studio
Landscape Contractor: Dieter Goepfert, D. Goepfert Gardening, Inc

“Two Old Mill’s beautiful roof top amenity terrace contains a balance of spaces for relaxation, outdoor entertaining and outdoor cooking, all situated within a lush and varied green roof. The green roof contains a mix of extensive and intensive green roof areas, with some areas having as much as 1200mm of soil, and others employing only a 30mm mixed sedum mat with water retention fleece. The varied planting conditions support a diverse range of grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees. In certain areas, these diverse plantings are layered to maximize the visibility of the different plantings.”

— Greg Warren, Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc

Old World Luxury Coupled With Modern Day Must-Haves

Two Old Mill is a signature mixed-use condominium development with the objective of “Old world luxury coupled with modern day must-haves”. Located in the Old Mill neighbourhood of Toronto, bordering the Humber River, the building is surrounded by abundant green spaces, and bringing the feel of these surroundings to the building in a sustainable manner was the main goal of the project.

Two of Old Mill's beautiful rooftops contain a balance of spaces for relaxation, entertaining, and cooking, all situated within a lush and varied green roof. The installation contains a mix of extensive and intensive areas, with some areas having as much as 1200 mm of soil, and others only a 30 mm mixed sedum mat with water retention fleece.

Sustainability and ecological function are important aspects of the building. In addition to sedum varieties, the roof includes 13 different species of grasses, evergreen shrubs, deciduous evergreens, perennials and vines, the varied plantings and soil levels creating a more diverse habitat for local fauna. These diverse plantings are layered to maximize the visibility of the different roof areas. Although irrigated, water comes harvested from rainwater and the majority of the planting utilizes drought tolerant species to limit water use. Additionally, over 50 per cent of the species selected for the project are native to the area. The project met Toronto Green Development Standard Tier II and achieved LEED Gold Certification in 2016.

Judges praised the project for its varied landscape, lush and vibrant palette and ability to provide multiple benefits to this urban site.

Bridgepoint Active Healthcare

Project
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare

Location
Toronto, ON

Award Winner
Stantec Architecture / KPMB Architects / HDR Architecture / Diamond Schmitt Architects / PFS Studio / MBTW Group Landscape Architects

Project Team

Planning, Design, & Compliance: Stuart Elgie, Stantec Architects
Planning, Design, & Compliance: Mitch Hall, KPMB Architects
Design, Build, Finance, & Maintain: Rodel Misa, HDR Architecture
Design, Build, Finance, & Maintain: Greg Colucci, Diamond Schmitt Architects
Landscape Consultant: Brad Keeler, MBTW Group
Structural Engineer/LEED Consultant: Kathryn Edwards, Halsall Associates/WSP Canada
Contractor: Darius Zaccak, PCL Constructors Canada
Mechanical Consultant: Brad Bull, Smith + Anderson
Electrical Consultant: Brandon Hayes, Smith + Anderson
Building Envelope Consulant: Mark Brook, Brook Van Dalen & Associates
Developer & Equity Investor: Brian Budden, Plenary Group
Client: Marian Walsh, Bridgepoint Health Foundation

“The design intent for Bridgepoint Active Healthcare was to connect with nature and community and to inspire patients and staff. This commitment extends right to the rooftop. The garden terrace there provides a sanctuary for healing, where people can enjoy the natural setting and extraordinary views of the city skyline and feel they are part of the world around them.”

— Greg Colucci, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects

The Restorative Power of Good Design

Bridgepoint’s goal is to teach, coach and inspire chronic care patients to “live well” and to be active participants in shaping their own treatment and health outcomes. With an average patient stay of three months, there was strong impetus to design a built environment that facilitates recovery and wellness. Bridgepoint Active Health Care is the manifestation of the belief in the restorative power of good design.

From animated public spaces to intimate private ones, the building connects community and landscape with patients and staff. Panoramic views of the Don River Valley within every patient room, open terraces at the roof level, mid-tower and at grade levels provide broad visual engagement with the surrounding community, parklands and landscape.

Spaces for rest and therapy include the large ground floor terrace adjacent to food services, a therapy pool with picture-windows overlooking the park and a wheelchair-accessible meditative labyrinth patterned on the one at Chartres Cathedral. An accessible, therapeutic green roof terrace on the 10th floor extends the therapeutic benefits of nature vertically and offers active horticultural therapy. Patients can participate in a gardening program of engage in self-directed rehabilitation. People practice walking on the gentle slope, build strength in wheelchairs by moving up the gently sloped ramp or by climbing stairs.

A 4-year post occupancy evaluation was specifically developed to evaluate the impact of the design on patient health and well being. By blurring the distinction between private and public property and providing public circulation continuously around a fully glazed exterior, the facility is highly permeable. Staff and patients feel connected to nature, to the city and consider the hospital to be a place of wellness. Patients feel safer, are more cheerful, are comforted and are more satisfied with their stay. They feel they have more opportunities to visit with others, perceive improvements in their mental health and are more confident in their mobility. The judges praised this project’s use of green roofing for patient recovery and human health treatment and accessibility as well as the use of deeper root profile plants in the meadow roof and integration of small trees.