Branksome Hall

Branksome Hall Wellness Center was conceived by the Branksome Hall Board. The center replaces an older building on the Branksome Hall campus with a multi-use cafeteria, student meeting center, dance studio, pool and gymnasium.

The building site is very urban and nestled against a natural ravine site within the City of Toronto. Approval required for site work included TRCA and City of Toronto Forestry/Ravine section. Urban design approvals were also attained for a school bus layby within the property along Mount Pleasant Road.

The landscape plan included the development of exterior student gathering areas, green roof and eating/study terrace, ravine compensation planting, fire route access to existing buildings, commemorative walkway planning and access to adjacent lands owned by the school.

The school property at 120 Mount Pleasant was also incorporated into the landscape site planning. Access was provided between the walkways of the AWC and new garden areas established in the step and garden access.

LEED elements of the landscape included LID bioswale, hi-albedo surfacing, green roof and native tree and shrub plantings.

Toronto Urban Design Award of Excellence 2017