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Architects: MJMA
- Area: 75000 ft²
- Year: 2021
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Photographs:Scott Norsworthy, doublespace photography, Nic Lehoux, Industryous Photography
Text description provided by the architects. This project is situated within a rapidly growing neighborhood in Mississauga, a suburban city west of Toronto, Canada. It converts a 50-acre agricultural field into a richly textured parkland with a 75,000 sf Community Centre as its focus. The park connects to an existing multi-use trail system, making it a new destination in the network.
The community center’s simple yet dynamic form signals its purpose as a neighborhood landmark for social gatherings and healthful activity. The striking canopy that runs along its west and south facades extends and makes visible the building’s Mass Timber structure — an array of glulam columns that provide structural and curtainwall framing, wrapping around the gym, lobby, and pool.
This structure is clad in expanded aluminum mesh that protects the wood from the elements. This screen is integral to the overall design and daylighting control strategy and mitigates solar heat gain, filtering sunlight similar to a tree canopy. It gives occupants a strong visual connection to the park, while passively reducing the overall mechanical energy loads on the building and energy consumption.
The part of the community center arranges interior spaces into two bars running the length of the building: the east holds changerooms, with a teaching kitchen, multi-purpose, and fitness rooms on the floor above; on the west, a wider bar houses the triple gymnasium and aquatics hall with lap and leisure pools.
The park provides a series of leisure and fitness spaces, including multiple soccer fields and basketball courts, spread across a landscape with gently rolling hills (created from excavated soil) offering elevated seating to spectators. A measured trail loop, with fitness stations and interpretive signage emphasizing the natural heritage history of the area, runs around the perimeter of the park. Together building and park comprise a vital hub for leisure, sport, and recreation.
Mass timber enhances the biophilic connection and supports sustainable construction by sequestering carbon and replacing carbon-intensive materials. In aquatic centers, it outperforms steel and eliminates the need for extensive coatings. The innovative structure immerses visitors in nature, utilizing glulam columns with park views.
Energy efficiency is prioritized through strategic glazing, high-performance windows, insulation, and thermal bridging solutions. Indoor environmental quality is improved with thoughtful lighting and occupancy sensors. On-site stormwater management includes infiltration galleries, vegetated channels, and a detention pond. The existing wetland shapes the design, and excavated soil forms grassy hillocks. Dense planting connects natural corridors and involves the community. Detailed investigations protect local ecosystems and nesting habitats.
