Design Intent
The Indigenous Hub is a mixed-use development located in Toronto’s newly revitalized east-downtown neighbourhood called the Canary District. This new project aims to articulate Indigenous values and principles through its architectural and landscaping design. The programming for the Hub involves a new four-storey health centre; a four-storey education, employment and training centre with a municipal-operated child care facility, restoration of the historic Canary Restaurant building for commercial use, a 13-storey residential condominium, and an 11-storey rental building.
NAK is the lead for the public realm design which ties the streetscapes to the Canary District standards and creates two plazas spaces. The southwest plaza is a flexible hardscape that references the 4 indigenous elements, earth, water, fire and air, through design elements. The plaza is defined by large granite pebbles in a circle formation that references round pebbles found in watercourses that are smoothed by weathering processes. The stones are used as seating elements and helps formalize the exterior programming space for the Hub. The plaza is off slab and directly connected to the earth. Native and indigenous inspired plantings surround the building facades and create a green edge. Air and sky is connected through the plazas openness. While the new health centre is scheduled to open by the end of 2022, the entire project is targeted for completion in 2024.
Not only will the Indigenous Hub have an Indigenous Heath Centre, but it will also host a variety of indigenous-focused programs; education/employment programs, skill training, and childcare. The Indigenous community is one that is on the path to healing, and through social places of gathering, where care can be specialized for them, this journey can be met with more ease and compassion. This Hub will also act as a symbol that does not dismiss the needs of the indigenous community and encourages Canadians to become more educated on Indigenous issues, history, and ways to help.
