Ethennonnhawahstihnen' Community Centre & Library

Encompassing recreation, leisure, creativity, and learning, the Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Community Recreation Centre forms a vibrant hub for an urban neighbourhood in the North York district of Toronto. The Centre brings together a collective of City-run organizations, including Parks, Forestry, & Recreation, a Public Library branch, and a childcare centre, combining these with aquatics, athletics, and wellness amenities.

Corresponding to its elongated and sloped site, the building is organized in two parallel, multi-level ‘bar’ volumes with a central lobby and stair. The eastern bar is higher in elevation, to respond to new developments to the east and to contain the larger program volumes of the library, natatorium, and gymnasium. Grade level is higher on its western side, so the lower storeys here are embedded into the site, while its other faces appear to float above the ground, allowing the large facility to occupy its tight urban location lightly. To deepen the placemaking of the design, the team worked with the City of Toronto’s Public Art Officer, Indigenous Place-making, and an Indigenous Affairs Lead to develop displays and experiential design throughout the entire community centre, using artifacts and commissioned art honouring the Wendat Nation who first inhabited the site.