Award

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 | 83 Aurora Town Square R EN D ER I N GS BY H A L L E T T V I SUA L /CO U RT E S Y R AW D E S I G N I N C . AURORA TOWN SQUARE by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he evolution of the Aurora Town Square project can be likened to an acorn matur- ing into an oak tree. Originating as a humble urban design initiative, it has burgeoned into a sophisticated tapestry that now proudly stands as a cultural hub within York Region. David Leinster, principal at The Planning Partnership, explains: "We were working with the town for a number of years on an initiative to revitalize this historic downtown Aurora neighbourhood. Yonge Street, in this historic area of downtown Aurora, had been struggling to meet the expectations. The town had an idea to develop a public square adja- cent to their library and the cultural centre, adjacent to the school. As we moved through the design process, council got more and more excited about the opportunity to develop a strong cultural core that would draw people down into the historic cen- tre, even more than it does today." In 2019, the project secured Council's approval, a significant endorsement reflecting the Town's recognition of the pivotal role culture plays in eco- nomic development, community revitalization, and quality of life. "The goal for Town Square is to bring energy to the area and contribute to revitalization plans in the heart of the community," says Mayor Tom Mrakas. The realization of the project owes its success to the exceptional collabo- ration of a talented team, comprising the Town of Aurora, R AW Design Inc., The Planning Partnership, Colliers Project Leaders, and Chandos Construction. Today, Aurora Town Square boasts five essential ele- ments: enhancements to the Aurora Public Library; the restoration of the heritage-designated Church Street School; the expansion of a museum and cultural centre linked to the school; the creation of an enclosed pedestrian bridge; and the develop- ment of an outdoor public square enriched with diverse amenities. Leinster explains that the outdoor public square was the gen- esis of the project and will serve as a new community gathering space year-round with an amphithe- atre for outdoor performances. A notable visual highlight await- ing visitors is the bronze anodized expanded metal veil enveloping the Cultural Centre, providing a contemporary aesthetic that seam- lessly complements the brick facade. Thomas Nemeskeri, architect, R AW Design Inc. explains: "The veil serves as a focal point for the project, uni- fying the structure." Softening the massing of the addition, the veil has an ephemeral quality and var- ies in appearance from muted tones on overcast days, to a soft glow on bright days. Its bronze finish is repeated throughout the project in smaller details, like accents on way- finding elements and hardware. The bridge that links the Library and Cultural Centre transcends mere functionality; it stands out as a unique feature. Nemeskeri elaborates: "We didn't settle for a conventional truss bridge; instead, we expanded it at the midpoint to fashion a lounge, serv- ing as both a study area and a space for interaction. On the south side of the bridge there's a bar area equipped for charging devices. The bridge not only facilitates connection but also asserts its distinctiveness through the incorporation of unique materials." The outdoor public square was the genesis of the project and will serve as a new community gathering space year-round with an amphithe- atre for outdoor performances. Water features in summer that convert to a skating loop in winter will pro- vide year-round activation. Within, the Cultural Centre showcases an intricate design. The triple-height glazed atrium serves as a unifying element, seamlessly con- necting the addition to the school. Here, visitors are greeted by a strik- ing floating feature stair. "We paid a lot of attention to the touch points of the building with custom door han- dles and marques above the doors. They add a degree of elegance to the building and become a signature for the project," says Nemeskeri. The flexible performance hall's wall and ceiling finishes feature wood meticulously crafted to meet acoustic specifications and stained to align with the bronze veil embracing the struc- ture. Specifically designed for optimal acoustics, quadratic residue diffusers in the stage area disperse sound, elim- inate flutter echoes, and enhance the acoustic envelopment for musical per- formances. Reflectors on the ceiling contribute to natural sound rein- forcement for the hall. Surrounding the room, custom wood panels in a waveform module finish the walls, effectively diffusing sound and extend- ing higher low-frequency reverberation times, catering to the requirements of symphonic music recording. Sustainability was a top priority in Town Square, built to high stan- dards with features like maximizing natural light. "We also used recy- cled, low-VOC, and local materials. The project focuses on high ther- mal standards, minimizing energy consumption, a resilient build- ing envelope, bird-friendly glazing, green roofs, cisterns, and permeable landscaping to manage stormwater through extreme conditions, meet- ing a 200-year storm standard," says Phil Rose, manager of cultural services at the Town of Aurora. Aurora Town Square faced challenges typical of any project, including safeguarding the rubble foundation and navigating exist- ing infrastructure complexities. Chandos Construction success- fully overcame these hurdles. "Connecting to the heritage build- ing was a significant challenge," adds Leinster. "With ER A Architects, we ensured stability during excavation for the public square. Complex soils posed technical challenges. Designing stormwater retention systems on- site, avoiding drainage to the nearby creek, was another hurdle. Lowering the plaza a storey below the cultural centre added complexity, aligning the library's main floor with the Cultural Centre's lowest level, even below the historic building's basement." Les Camm from Colliers Project Leaders mentions that his team uti- lized project management tools such as Earned Value Management (EVM), Risk Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis, and critical analysis of construc- tion schedules to monitor and track development on behalf of the Town, allowing for more accurate forecasting of end dates and cost management. As the project nears completion, Rose says he and the team couldn't be happier with the outcome: "The Aurora community has been increas- ingly positive. Many members of the community are eagerly antici- pating this new indoor and outdoor facility and all of the opportuni- ties it will soon provide, amplifying the Town's amenities and creat- ing a hub of arts and culture." A LOCATION 50 Victoria Street, Aurora, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER Town of Aurora PROJECT MANAGER Colliers Project Leaders ARCHITECTS RAW Design Inc. / The Planning Partnership GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Chandos Construction STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Blackwell MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL /LIGHTING/ SECURIT Y/AV/IT CONSULTANT Smith + Andersen HERITAGE CONSULTANT ERA Architects TOTAL SIZE 32,500 square feet (inside) 29,000 square feet (outside) TOTAL COST $52 million

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