Award

8 | J UNE 2018 Terraplan Landscape Architects "Background research into the history of the 1,500-square-kilometre site, the largest BIA in Canada, as well as the site conditions, land use layout, and potential transportation/transit linkages, provided a basis to identify locations for gateways, amenity areas, enhanced intersections, a historic zone, streetscape improvements, focal points, and linkages," says Paul Marsala. "Image-building components such as types, sizes, and preliminary design of identity signs, banner pole locations, median improvements, parking lay-bys, specialty features such as the maple leaf at Sheppard and Wilson were also illustrated." Tla continues to be active in the public realm and was part of the team led by ARK Petroff Architects that created the Lebovic Campus in Thornhill – a new Jewish Community Campus – which became the central focus for the urban community north of central Toronto. "Phase one of this extensive initiative is comprised of the entrance to a Jewish High School [CHAT], a large community centre, a residence for disabled adults [Reena], a municipal park, extensive walkways, outdoor courtyards, outdoor swimming pools, and parking," says Bernstein, who joined the company in 1992. "The landscape design complements the iconic architecture to provide a strong narrative that combines Jewish themes with the programs that are expected from a major community amenity. Special emphasis was placed on the unique paving and lighting design, the delineation of the outdoor courts, and the provision of landscape elements that promote safe spaces." Parks continue to be a speciality for the tla team too. An example of this is the Pan Am Aquatic Parkette/Centennial Park. Developed in partnership with Exhibition Place, the Parkette is a centerpiece of the regeneration of Centennial Park and provides exem- plary flexible space for the community. "Borrowing its title from Pan Am games, the Parkette design pays homage to the motif of the competition and to the 36 Pan Am and 15 Parapan Am sports played at the games," says project manager Shadi Gilani. The intention of the design is to evoke the magical sensory experience of interaction with water, when fantasy feels more intense than reality. Journeys, even the small passages in between different water features, can be fraught with adventure and exhilaration. For tla achieving such great moments in landscape architecture is a result of its people, in which they invest heavily. "We have attracted a very sophisticated staff who are able to adapt to changing technologies and systems. Today's workplace forces people to work in silos, so we take concrete steps to ensure collaboration and the sharing of ideas. For example, every second Thursday we hold a catered staff lunch with a mandatory educational/interactive component that encourages a freedom of expression," says Craft. This collaboration, which tla calls "Food for Thought," features a programmed event, such as a movie, documentary, webinar, or PechaKucha, to further encour- age this creativity. "To remain at the top of your game requires a need to learn and be innovative, something we encourage not just during these events, but in our every day," says Craft. With this creativity, tla continues to grow, and Craft says he is excited about the future of landscape architecture, and the opportunities of growth within cities. "As populations grow and people migrate to the cities, open space becomes even more critical. It all needs to be connected. This gives us the opportunity to really give our work meaning, and provide something more," explains Craft. To which Schwartz adds, "We believe we can leave an imprint in a much wider swath that matters to people now and in the future. We are going to make the place better." A Lebovic Campus, Thornhill, ON. Emery Village Business Improvement Area, Toronto, ON. Canadian National Holocaust Monument, Ottawa, ON. Pan Am Aquatic Parkette/Centennial Park, Toronto, ON.

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