National Urban Design Awards - 2022 Merit Recipient - Urban Fragments | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

National Urban Design Awards - 2022 Merit Recipient - Urban Fragments

CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge
Toronto,
ON
Award Category: 
Urban Fragments
Firms: WilkinsonEyre (Design Architect) | Zeidler Architecture (Executive Architect)
Completion Date: November 2017
 
Located near the busy intersection of Yonge and Queen Street, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre Bridge is a striking public landmark that replaces an inaccessible bridge from the 1970s. The new structure seamlessly links two contrasting buildings— the Romanesque Revival Hudson’s Bay Building at its south end, and the postmodern CF Toronto Eaton Centre to the north. Encased in floor-to-ceiling glass and bronze panels with spiraling angles, the bridge’s dynamic sculptural form gently hovers over busy Queen Street. It is a prominent reminder of the importance of creating infrastructure that is accessible and functional, yet graceful and eye-catching. 

Project Credits: 

Design Architect - WilkinsonEyre
Executive Architect - Zeidler Architecture
Structural Engineer - RJC Engineers
Mechanical Engineer - The Mitchell Partnership Inc.
Electrical Engineer - Mulvey and Banani International
Lighting - Speirs Major/Mulvey and Banani International
Bridge Fabricator - seele
Heavy Lifting and Transport - Mammoet
Construction Manager - PCL Constructors Canada
 
 
Jury Comment(s): 

“This bridge is recognized for the attention to detail, it’s transition in form, and its animating quality. The project engages users traversing within, as well as pedestrians in the urban spaces around it, with its intricate form and lighting."

"The design of this pedestrian bridge is very unique in nature, taking the form of the openings of the existing buildings into consideration. Its architectural design is impressive. The structural design of its elements are accentuated well and create a nice light and shadow within the bridge to enhance the pedestrian experience. Careful attention is given to the lighting of the bridge at night."

"This project is recognized due to its capacity to transcend its programme of a space of passage to become an urban animator, both for those who inhabit the bridge, but equally important, the pedestrians that move around it in the public realm. This is seen through its sophistication in form as well as its developed light-scape.” 

Jury members 

Click for full version: 
Bridge

PHOTO - James Brittain

Bridge close up

PHOTO - James Brittain

Bridge interior

PHOTO - James Brittain

Bridge interior

PHOTO - James Brittain

Performance

PHOTO - Bekah Brown

Bridge exterior

PHOTO - James Brittain