Architecture Yonge-Dundas Square

1 architecture

1.1 design , features
1.2 surrounding buildings
1.3 fountains

architecture


a 180 degree panoramic view of yonge-dundas square in august 2011



design , features

yonge-dundas square l.e.d. pixelboard showing heart of city on dundas square logo.

the square on slight incline, architects brown , storey have said intended evoke theatrical stage. made modular raised square textured 35.125 35.125 inches (892.2 892.2 mm) granite slabs (each slab costing approximately $1,500: $1,000 materials plus $500 labour), features diagonally running zinc canopy along northern hypotenuse of square , movable plinth serves stage concerts , other performances, row of lighted fountains set directly pavement, row of small trees along southern edge, transparent canopy on plinth, , new entrance dundas subway station below. series of low, circular stone planters added western side of square in summer 2005.

because dundas street bends @ square, not square, irregular pentagon. angled northeastern side of square known hypotenuse, features structure supported 11 concrete pillars of type used make overpasses on highways. creates industrial urban aesthetic, which, being north, casts no shadows on rest of space. other 3 sides square (i.e., @ right angles 1 , yonge , dundas streets). well, there road traverses square known dundas square. small street leading yonge street dundas street.

yonge-dundas square on saturday evening.



dundas square showing 600 ground nozzles arranged in 20 groups, in middle of main walkway.

the surface of yonge-dundas square not level, because sloped upward away yonge street. allow sufficient height provide clearance toronto parking authority garage entrance. architects planned slope of surface make interesting , accommodate necessary clearances lies underneath. level p1 houses washrooms , changerooms, green room stage performers, , various utilities rooms, custodial , supply closets, , water treatment plant , pump rooms fountains.

dundas square @ night.



the newest screen @ yonge-dundas square; installed in 2017

the centrepiece of square array of fountains designed dan euser of waterarchitecture. 2 rows of 10 fountains spread out across square s main walkway, visitors have opportunity walk through or around fountains. unlike many other city fountains, dundas square fountains meant waterplay, , include sophisticated filtration system (according both of architects) keep water @ or above pool quality water. according euser, water treated maintain health standards waterplay. according facility administrator christine maclean, granite chosen entire space has non-slip properties safety of running through or playing in fountains. each of 10 water fountains consists of stainless steel grille 30 ground nozzles (arranged in 3 rows of 10) under it.

the entire rock surface of dark (almost black) colour , absorbs sunlight, creating warm surface on rest. water runs under dark rock slabs , heated them, fountain water solar heated. 3 curved lighting masts along south edge of square, made of hollow structural steel, have high-gloss white finish contrasts rough non-slip texture of black granite, , each support 6 mercury vapour arc lamps create evening light comes approximately same directions natural sunlight during day (i.e., various southerly directions).

surrounding buildings

yonge-dundas square located within downtown yonge business improvement area (bia).

other projects in area include redevelopment of eaton centre, construction of new retail , cinema complex north, called 10 dundas east (formerly toronto life square , before known metropolis ), , construction of 33 dundas street east southeast (on corner of victoria , dundas), used home of olympic spirit toronto. on october 22, 2007, rogers media announced buy building new home citytv , omni television stations. new studio space operational.

a media tower – scaffold billboards, operated clear channel communications – has been constructed on northwest corner of yonge , dundas. advertised tallest media tower in world. large media tower, complete video screen, major feature of rogers media building on southeast corner of dundas square; video screen shows city-tv broadcast. building home hard rock cafe on southwest corner of square features series of billboards , large video screen. introduction of these imposing media towers , brightly illuminated advertising billboards has been great sacrifice area residents, feel loss of neighbourhood s identity , character (see controversy , below).

the redevelopment of eaton centre , building @ victoria , dundas completed in 2004. toronto life square, formerly known metropolis development, began in january 1999 after city of toronto expropriated number of properties, , phased opening began in 2007. renamed 10 dundas east after toronto life magazine s parent company, st. joseph communications, sued have magazine s name removed building.

fountains

a jogger cools off in urban beach forms main central part of dundas square (multiple exposure picture).

the fountains comprise dynamic art installation , water sculpture in 600 water jets programmed vary, dynamically, on time. fountains operate 24 hours day. other aquatic play area in front of ontario science centre (the centrepiece of teluscape), dundas square toronto s 24-hour waterplay area, open day , night except during special events, maintenance, , other exceptions. fountains run around mid-april end of october, making 1 of 2 aquatic play areas in toronto opens in season , closes late in season.

to reduce costs, middle channel (i.e., middle 10 nozzles of each fountain) can animated, outer 2 channels can still globally controlled. outer 2 channels used set background (pedestal) level while middle channel animates, typically eight-second intervals. directionality imposed middle channel s sequencer encourages bathers run west rather east. moreover, sequencer makes bathing experience optimal joggers run west @ 20 km/h.

architects brown , storey, fountain creator dan euser, firm initiated bidding, former councillor kyle rae, , management of dundas square have confirmed waterplay 1 of intended uses of space. fountains intended appeal children , adults, , there evidence intention has been realized.

at southeast , southwest corners of yonge-dundas square drinking water fountains. water fountain on southwest corner (nearest yonge street) known large, cool stream of water flows down fountain drains in ground. stream produced other fountain warmer , flows less copiously. on other hand, fountain nearest yonge street near protrusion in ground has become popular seat.

because many people drink ground spray nozzles (some people fill water bottles ground sprays), , since waterplay 1 of intended uses, water tested daily, between 9 a.m. , 10 a.m., toronto health department. water treated bromine, many bathers prefer chlorine. there 3 separate water treatment facilities, 1 each group of ten westmost nozzles in each grille (200 nozzles total), middle row of ten in each grille, , third of eastmost nozzles. water runs grilles travels west, under raised floor of dundas square slabs, treatment facility under west end of waterplay area.