The new Athletics & Wellness Centre at Branksome Hall, an all-girls school set within a large green property in the urban heart of Toronto, is a connector of sport, health, nourishment and nature. The two-story center includes a mezzanine green roof with two pools for teaching and training, a rowing center, a gymnasium, a fitness center for high-performance training, a dining hall, yoga and dance studios, and office spaces.
The building is located on the edge of a wooded ravine and connects to the east campus by a pedestrian bridge on the second level. A series of internal walkways with interconnected ground and second floors encourages students to pass by and observe the activities — inspiring involvement in the athletic community. The strong visible connection to a ravine dividing the campus is like a breath of fresh air deep into the inner volumes. The larger volumes of the gymnasium, fitness, dance and yoga spaces appear as containers of light, sitting on a glowing glass base elevated in a similar way as the pedestrian bridge.
Judge's Comments
An incredible design understanding in terms of forms, spaces, interior composition and materials. This is a wonderful building that just begs you to walk in and experience every space." — Mark Williams
"An abundance of natural light and skillful restraint to articulate the details and colors of the interior finishes." — Tom Poulos
"The interior of this project shows careful consideration of views, composition and materials delivered with impeccable detailing to create an elegant building." — Anita Moran