After studying the design concept and method of I.M Pei and Toyo Ito, carry out reconstruction of Toronto Corner Palimpsest design according to the styles of the two designers.
Role: Redesign by Toyo Ito
Redesign by Toyo Ito
In Toyo Ito’s concept of urban space, people should embrace and connect to the environment, as such, in his design of open space, we could find few strict passways, loads of openings, balancing the relationship between environment and individuals through emergent grid and material. This idea has been introduced to the Dufferin parklet design, continuous mushroom columns form pavilions throughout the park, while round shape grass areas influence visitors’ flow naturally. On the commercial side, the ambiguous, mild feeling expressed by translucent glass covered on some of the previous red-brick façades, and glass windows were enlarged to weaken the standout, heavy historical feeling.
(West elevation upper image; East elevation downside.)
Redesign by I.M Pei
The park has been improved based on Pei's design philosophy. One is the geometric elements, the other is the choice of materials. Geometric elements are embodied in straight lines and zigzag paths. The hard walkway is made of red brick, similar to the surrounding buildings. A small artificial lake is designed in the middle of the park, and ground lights are installed on the roadside. Also, by considering the lack of functionality in the area. Pei chose to keep the previously built parking lot and the flyover linked to XO Condo. The parking lot consists of a black marble facade and an internal steel frame structure. The flyover is also the black steel frame that connects the XO apartments.
