Design Intent
Located at the Mount Pleasant Station, Mount Pleasant Village is designed as a sustainable community in accordance with the principles of Smart Growth and Transit-Oriented Development. Apart from providing convenient public transit options, the transit infrastructure also serves as the focus for residential, retail, civic, and cultural uses. Project goals included creating an innovative, pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented community with mixed uses, compact built form, and a variety of density based housing types. This led to achieving sustainable development objectives on the environmental, social and economic levels. The approach to residential design pays homage to the local heritage architectural elements and material finishes, while achieving a more contemporary village feel. Important aspects of the project revolve around the emphasis on elements such as the protection of natural and heritage features, the integration and enhancement of green spaces, access to transit, the presence of an urban core with amenities located centrally, and overall connectivity.
The Mount Pleasant Civic Square is a 3-acre, 9 million dollars urban open space integrated with a bustling train/bus hub, located at the heart of Mount Pleasant Village, a higher-density mixed-use Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), in Brampton, Ontario. NAK worked in collaboration with the City of Brampton, Go Transit and Brampton Transit to create a gathering place integrating civic uses (residential, retail, educational and cultural) with transit infrastructure. Elements of the transit hub’s design include platforms, pedestrian walkways and crosswalks that emphasize safety, shade canopies, a coordinated palette of furnishings, plantings, and public art. NAK also prepared the landscape plan and interpretive signage for a heritage railway station that was relocated to the vicinity of the transit hub for use as a cultural centre. The transit hub is integrated with a public square featuring railway inspired public art, a water feature that doubles as a skating rink, green lawn, boardwalk, children’s play area, ceremonial tree, transit station plaza, and heritage station plaza.
Located in the heart of Mount Pleasant Village, a 3-acre Civic Square serves as a gathering and recreation space that promotes social interaction. Elements include a reflecting pool that doubles as a skating rink for year-round use, a green lawn and boardwalk, a children’s play area, a community ceremonial tree, and a transit hub plaza. The Mobility Hub provides residents with easy access to transportation, including the Mount Pleasant Go Station as well as links to Brampton’s transportation system. The heritage and historical significance of the area was preserved, specifically of the railway highlighted through the community art installation (3 free-standing steel art panels and 1 primary sculptural ‘Ghost Train’ feature). With these social and practical needs in mind, these elements were implemented in the project’s design.
Open space and the implementation of nature into the neighbourhood is a important element of Mount Pleasant Village’s design. Many open spaces are present on site, such as the various parks, natural areas, and the use of open space that maximizes the green coastline system. Measures are also taken to preserve and enhance the natural habitats, protect the wetland meadows, and wildlife corridors in the village.
Awards
2013 Ontario Home Builders’ Association, Environmental Stewardship Award
2013 International Making Cities Livable Award
2012 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence
2012 Heritage Canada Foundation National Achievement Award – Brampton CPR Station
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Best Overall Project
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Best Community
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Healthy Community
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Most Promising Project
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Go Station
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Public Library
2012 Governor General’s Medal – Live-Work Units
2012 Governor General’s Medal – Civic Square
2012 Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence – Best Small Landscape
2012 Bild Awards – Community of the Year
2012 Bild Awards – Places to Grow
2012 Ontario General Contractors Association Award
