ParkletTO

JASON GLIONNA | JOANA BENIN | JOHN BENNER | GREGORIO JIMINEZ | MARISSA LIU | TESS MACPHERSON | DIANA SOBASZEK

With help from:

BATOUL AL | ZEENAH MOHAMMED ALI | STEPHEN CHUN | KAREN FANG | KATHERINE JONES | JASPER LEUNG | AGNES YUEN

As Toronto continues to transform, so too has its streets. Increased demand for pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods has sparked the creativity of urban designers to think outside the box. As a result, spaces that have traditionally been allotted solely for automobile parking can now take on a whole new life. One approach that has increasingly grown in popularity is that of a parklet: a public amenity that incorporates seating to act as an extension of the sidewalk.

ParkletTO represents the one of the first times design and function have successfully come together on the streets of Toronto. The design was developed by students from Ryerson University’s Department of Architectural Science. Featuring Accoya wood, the parklet undulates in a graceful manner from end to end. Accoya was chosen due to its ability to repel water, along with its strength and stylish grain. In order to achieve this natural undulation, each piece of wood was rounded in a concave or convex manner and then attached side-by-side to form layers. ParkletTO has been designed in 500mm modules allowing for it to be easily stored, reused, and reconfigured. The result is an inviting space for pedestrians to sit, relax, and enjoy their meal or the weather. ParkletTO fits in perfectly on vibrant Elm Street, unifying diverse buildings through an urban oasis. Through the use of LEDs, ParkletTO maintains its lively and dynamic feel at night, encouraging evening usage. Moving forward, ParkletTO aims to be the building block and inspiration for future Parklets to come.

Photos provided by Zeenah Mohammed Ali and Brian B. Bettencourt; Graphics brought to you by the Parklet Team