Award

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 61 County of Simcoe's Social and Community Services Hub P H OTO G R A P H Y CO U RT E S Y T H E CO U N T Y O F S I M CO E COUNTY OF SIMCOE'S SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICES HUB by JESSICA KIRBY T he County of Simcoe's Social and Community Services Hub in Orillia, Ontario, is a place designed for every resident. The multi-use project includes 130 mixed residential units designed for seniors, families, and individuals, attached to office and commercial space that houses several County of Simcoe services, including Ontario Works, Children and Community Services, and Social Housing offices. Most importantly, the Orillia Community Hub brings people together. It features purpose-built, accessible ame- nity spaces, such as a common room for gathering and an adjacent roof- top patio where residents can enjoy accessible planter box gardens. The project's design inspiration was rooted in the vision of creating a sup- portive and inclusive community hub for Orillia's residents. "Well-designed housing such as the Orillia campus provides safety, health, and afford- ability," says Basil Clarke, warden for the County of Simcoe. "It's an invest- ment in our community. This campus will increase the opportunity for low- to-moderate income households, and some of those most vulnerable indi- viduals in the community, to access affordable housing with dignity." The design team at McKnight Charron Limited Architects, which acted as prime consultant and proj- ect manager at the Orillia Community Hub, engaged County of Simcoe to understand its strategic goals. Its 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy emphasizes the creation of 2,685 new affordable hous- ing units by 2024, with a focus on increasing rental housing stock to support vulnerable populations. "Our integrative process began with a comprehensive site analy- sis, ensuring a responsive approach to the local context and urban fab- ric," says Michael McKnight, principal with McKnight Charron Architects. "We aimed to create a community- centric design and foster a sense of belonging and support. We achieved this by creating a hub that focuses not only on housing but also on pro- viding the services individuals in vulnerable situations need to thrive." The Orillia Community Hub is distinguished by several unique architectural features that enhance the project's functionality and inclu- sivity. The interiors feature durable, easy-to-maintain materials to ensure longevity and user comfort, including non-slip flooring for added safety. The aesthetic is warm and invit- ing, made so with abundant natural light, soft and warm colour schemes, and inviting textures, intentionally selected to encourage longer visits and greater interaction among users. The kitchens are a great example of this, ensuring universal acces- sibility for community members, regardless of mobility or ability. Lower countertops and accessi- ble appliances leave plenty of space for wheelchair users to navigate the space effectively and the millwork is customized to provide ample stor- age while maintaining clear, open pathways that prevent crowding and accommodate assistive devices. "One of the standout features is the use of wider corridors, which push the building in and out to create infor- mal social spaces," McKnight says. "This fosters community interaction by providing areas where residents can pause and engage with each other without impeding traffic flow. This helps build social capital and a sense of belonging among residents." Similarly, the Hub's program spaces are designed to be versa- tile and easily reconfigured to host a range of activities, including edu- cational workshops to social events. Accessible outdoor play areas and decorative landscape elements are collectively designed to promote inter- action and safety, and spaces that are functional and aesthetically pleas- ing. "This adaptability makes the

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