Evergreen Brick Works

Toronto, Ontario

Photo Credit: Claude Cormier & DTAH

CASE STUDY

Initial Research by: Matthew Peters

Edited by: Samantha Miller & Nicole Brekelmans

Case study compiled in 2019

Project:  Evergreen Brick Works

Type of Urban Strategy: Green Cities, Industrial Landscapes

Type of Project: Heritage / Master Plan / Plaza 

Location: Toronto, Ontario 

Date Designed/Planned: 2006

Construction Completed:  2010

Designer: DTAH, Claude Cormier + Associés, and Dougan & Associates

Evergreen Brick Works is an environmental educational centre focused on nature, culture, and community. The location of the project previously functioned as a brickyard and an industrial site providing opportunities for heritage preservation and site remediation. With an interdisciplinary team including DTAH, Claude Cormier + Associes, and Dougan & Associates, the project involved reusing the existing buildings while incorporating public spaces and native landscapes. In addition to the building reuse, the project also implemented the Centre for Green Cities, a 5-storey LEED Platinum building used for offices for Evergreen and other environmental organizations. 

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The site also includes flood protection by raising the site, incorporating direct water flow channels, native planting, permeable paving, and rainwater harvesting with the excess water. These water strategies were carefully incorporated into the site to maintain the original character of the space. Sustainable strategies such as urban gardening, solar thermal energy, local sourcing, and recycling of materials were incorporated into the construction and the final function of the project to lessen the environmental impact. Evergreen Brick Works is heavily used by the public for events, a café, children’s play areas, and a farmers’ market to increase community engagement and education. 

(World Landscape Architect, 2013)