Toronto Wavedecks

In 2006 West8 and DTAH won the competition to redesign Toronto's waterfront. The key aim of the project was to reconnect the Canadian city with Lake Ontario, an area of the city which had seen many years of neglect and had been cut off by the railway and the monstrous two-story Gardener Expressway.

The first project was to reinvigorate some of the former dock areas by creating a series of Wavedecks along dockfronts. The first three Wavedecks at Simcoe, Spadina and Rees have now been completed, and while in the city I took some time to explore them.

The first Wavedeck I discovered was Spadina, a rolling surface with a peak in the middle which dips at each side. It was clear to see that the structure was very solid and of great quality, however it did not seem to attract peoples use by being somewhat isolated from the adjacent land by not finishing with a level interface with the dockside.

The next Wavedeck heading east is at Rees. Here the edges to meet up with the adjacent harbourside land, making the foot traffic much higher. The shape of the Wavedeck too is more interesting while retaining the quality feel. Along the waterfront is a long bench (though not quite as long as the one West8 produced at the Scheuburgplein in Rotterdam!), allowing people to connect with water.

The final Wavedeck to be opened is Simcoe, and it is the most dynamic of them all. This deck features two very large peaks creating a very playful and exciting undulating surface. Access again is good which allows people to alter their journey to cross the wavedeck. Cyclists alter their path to take in the gentle hills of the lower section, adding interest to their journey. Also skateboarders, skaters, walkers and runners all choose new paths across the deck. Children are encouraged to play on the area providing great free entertainment. I would say that I have never seen an area interacted with in so many ways in such a short time than on this small area of Simcoe Wavedeck.

The Toronto Waterfront project has clearly got off to a good start- it will be exciting to see how it develops.

The Walled Garden at Scampston

While on a break in Yorkshire the opportunity was taken to visit the contemporary walled garden at Scampston Hall, near Malton. The gardens here were designed by Piet Oudolf in 1999 and present quite a contrast to the surrounding landscape which was created by 'Capability' Brown some centuries earlier. As soon as one steps through the 18th century walls it is clear that this garden is something quite different. There are tall grasses and groups of vibrant foliage clumped together into both curvaceous and geometric shapes. Even the garden furniture is to a very sophisticated contemporary design. Plans are used here which would never have been found when these gardens were originally planted, many are chosen for their striking foliage or shape rather than the quality of their flowers.

Not all traditional elements have been forgotten however, there are still a number of vistas through the various 'rooms' of the garden as well the beautifully restored traditional greenhouse.The gardens are not cheap to visit- however they are certainly something quite different which are really worth making the effort to see.