Enhancing health, well-being, and community
Introduction ― 4 Selected Projects ― 8
Exceptional design for comfortable community spaces.
We are passionate about the art of community making. Communities evolve. New buildings become part of that which defines a community’s values. One of the most powerful statements of a great community is a richness and character of buildings, often created at different times, but blending together to form the outward expression of the soul of the place. Community recreation centers are central to this concept.
Great civic design tells a story. What will be the recreation centre story in your community?
We seek to express the character and identity of the community we serve. Through placemaking and architectural storytelling, we can help demonstrate your commitment to health and wellness, protection of the environment, vibrant sense of recreation and spirit of inclusivity. We can create public spaces inspired by the site and the region.
― Sports and Recreation
Selected Projects
Georgina Multi-use Recreation Complex
Georgina, Ontario
Client: Town of Georgina
Size: 7,500 square metres (80,800 square feet)
Completion Date: 2024
Sustainability: LEED Gold (designed to achieve)
― WHAT IT IS
A new multi-use recreation complex, childcare and city park built on the site of an aging shopping mall.
“This incredible building is set to become a true multi-use community hub, offering affordable, quality recreation and library services, and providing options for every member of the family.”
MARGARET QUIRK
MAYOR
Georgina Multi-use Recreation Complex
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The central heart of the complex is a large welcoming space that can be programmed for a multitude of events.
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The Discovery Branch is the new community living room. This inclusive, multi-generational and multi-purpose space includes expanded programs, quiet study rooms, spaces for people to meet and connect, an outdoor reading garden, and a Maker Space.
SFU Stadium
Burnaby,
British Columbia
Client: Simon Fraser University
Size: 2,776 square metres (29,880 square feet)
Completion Date: 2020
The elegant roof profile is minimized—floating above the spectators.
Meadowvale Community Centre & Library
Mississauga,
Ontario
Client: The City of Mississauga
Size: 8,110 square metres (87,300 square feet )
Completion Date: 2016
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Silver ® building program.
Awards:
Award of Excellence, Mississauga Urban Design Awards, City of Mississauga, 2018
Facilities of Merit, Athletic Business, 2017
Design Excellence, Finalist, Ontario Association of Architects, 2017
Award of Merit for Accessibility Design Excellence, March of Dimes Canada, 2017
― WHAT IT IS The Meadowvale Community Centre & Library includes a library, aquatics facility, and fitness & gymnasium areas.
Meadowvale Community Centre + Library
Brentwood Community Centre
Burnaby, British Columbia
Client: Grosvenor Americas/City of Burnaby
Size: 12,598 square metres (135,603 square feet)
Completion Date: 2027
― WHAT IT IS A community centre that will establish a civic heart to an emerging dense urban neighbourhood.
Brentwood Community Centre
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Through a considered organization of spaces and natural material palette, we created a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to linger and enjoy the facility.
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A jogging track runs around the upper level of the double gymnasium to promote the active of the space by all.
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Building systems and materials are selected to promote health, wellness and create an accessible and enjoyable space for users of all ages and abilities.
South Common Community Centre & Library
Mississauga, Ontario
Client: The City of Mississauga
Size: 9,122 square metres (98,188 square feet)
Completion Date: 2028
― WHAT IT IS
A new community hub that sits at the threshold between nature and the city—defining a layered experience within the building and varied microclimates outdoors.
view of South Common Park overlooking the splash pad.
The main floor and entrance to the library sits within the soaring volume with its exposed heavy timber frame.
South Common Community Centre & Library
Aaniin Community Centre and Library
Markham, Ontario
Client: City of Markham
Size: 4,460 square metres ( 122,000 square feet )
Completion Date: 2017
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Gold ® building program
Awards: Interiors Award, Civic/Public, Contract Magazine, 2019; Best of Year Institutional, Interior Design Magazine, 2019; Institutional Wood Design Award, > $15 M, WoodWORKS!, 2019
Aaniin Community Centre and Library
“The idea was to bring the outside in. An urban square in suburbia in the heart of a building.”
― Duff Balmer, Design Principal
Lorne Davies Complex
Burnaby, British Columbia
Client: Simon Fraser University
Size: 15,275 square metres (164,419 square feet)
Completion Date: 2024
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A facility dedicated to student well-being and the integration of both varsity and recreational users.
“Perkins and Will’s work reflects a respect for the original vision and master plan for the campus, while adding well-conceived new additions that enhance life on our campus.”
GERALD GONGOS, CAMPUS PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Lorne Davies Complex
Wallace Emerson
Toronto, Ontario
Client: City of Toronto
Size: 2,666 square meters (28,700 square feet)
Completion Date: 2026
― WHAT IT IS
A new multi-use recreation complex, childcare and city park built on the site of an aging shopping mall.
Wallace Emerson
Mount Pleasant Centre
Vancouver, British Columbia
Client: Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
Size: 12,591 square metres (135,528 square feet)
Completion Date: 2009
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Gold ® building program
Awards: Award of Excellence, Vancouver Regional Construction Association, 2009
―
IT
A groundbreaking and sustainable building tailored to the wide range of uses.
Mount Pleasant Centre
Whitby Sports Complex
Whitby, Ontario
Client: Town of Whitby
Size: 14,845 square meters (159,800 square feet)
Completion Date: 2028
Sustainability: Pursuing CAGBC net Zero Building certification
Britannia Community Centre Master Plan
Vancouver, British Columbia
Client: City of Vancouver
Size: 31,060 square metres (334,333 square feet)
Completion Date: On hold
Sustainability: Targeting LEED Gold ® and Passive House Certification
Deep engagement with the community to develop a plan for renewal.
Northeast Scarborough Community Centre
Scarborough, Ontario
Client: City of Toronto
Size: 8,361 square metres (90,000 square feet)
Completion Date: 2026
Meadows Community Centre & Library
Edmonton, Alberta
Client: City of Edmonton
Size: 21,835 square metres (235,000 square feet)
Completion Date: 2014
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Silver ® building program Awards:
Edmonton Urban Design Awards, Award of Excellence for Urban Architecture, City of Edmonton, 2017
WoodWORKS! Interior Wood Design Showcase Award, Canadian Wood Council (CWC), 2016
The facility is a year-round recreational and cultural centre for the surrounding local and regional neighborhoods.
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
A Pine Beetle infestation in the western provinces of Canada created a unique market condition that supports the use of soft wood lumber on a large scale.
Meadows Community Centre & Library
One Yonge Community Recreation Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Client: Pinnacle International and City of Toronto
Size: 51,000 square feet
Completion Date: 2023
Awards:
Award of Excellence—Facility Design, Parks and Recreation Ontario,2024
Co-located within the private residential development and designed as a ‘place to play’, One Yonge sets a new standard for dense, mixed-used city living.
A bold public stair and bleacher seating in the lobby creates welcoming, civic space.
Clockwise from Top Left:
A series of playful mosaics by Doublenaut, a local design and illustration studio, represent City of Toronto motifs and landmarks; Program spaces including a six-lane, 25-metre pool, universal washrooms, a double-gymnasium, and flexible mixed-use spaces.
One Yonge Community Recreation Centre
Left:
A unique circuit-style layout is defined by a wood clad wall and acts as a guide for exploration of program spaces around the perimeter of the floor.
Peterborough Arena Relocation
Peterborough, Ontario
Client: City of Peterborough
Size: 11,197 square metres (120,523 square feet)
Completion Date: 2024
Cornell Community Centre & Library
Markham, Ontario
Client: Town of Markham
Size: 11,613 square metres (125,000 square feet)
Completion Date: 2013
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Silver ® building program
Awards:
Top 5 Best Contemporary Masonry Buildings in Ontario, MasonryWorx, 2015
41st Annual Interior Design Competition Winner, International Interior Design Association, 2014 Award of Excellence, Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario, 2014
Excellence in Design Award, Parks and Recreation Ontario, 2014
Facility of Merit Award, Athletic Business, 2014
Lighting Award, Illuminating Engineering Society, Toronto Section, 2014
Markham Design Excellence Award, Buildings of Significance, City of Markham, 2014
The Centre & Library connects traditional recreation, aquatics, and library services to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital.
Cornell Community Centre & Library
York Recreation Centre
Toronto, Ontario
Client: City of Toronto
Size: 6,500 square metres (70,000 square feet )
Completion Date: 2017
Sustainability: Project is registered under the LEED Silver ® building program
Awards: Facilities of Merit, Athletic Business, 2018
― WHAT IT IS
The building provides facilities for fitness, a gymnasium, aquatics centre, pre-school room, and multi-use rooms.
York Recreation Centre
Carrville Community Centre, Library,
Vaughan, Ontario
Client: City of Vaughan
Size: 8,770 square metres (94,400 square feet)
Completion Date: 2024
Shaping a park, a community, and net zero performance.
and District Park
― WHAT MAKES IT COOL
Targeting net zero energy and net zero carbon, the facility would be one of North America’s highest performing facilities.
Carrville Community Centre, Library, and District Park
Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
Client: Rockford Park District
Size: 6,780 square metres (73,000 square feet)
Completion Date: 2006
Awards:
Outstanding Design Award, American School and University Education Interiors Showcase, 2011 Award of Excellence, Ontario Association of Architects, 2008
Facility of Merit, Athletic Business Award, 2008 Award of Excellence, Mississauga Urban Design Award, 2007
Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre
Our Team
Max Richter
Vancouver, BC
Phil Fenech
Toronto, ON
Mike Murray
Calgary, AB
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place.
That’s why clients and communities on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about human-centered design, and committed to creating a positive impact in people’s lives through sustainability, resilience, well-being, diversity, inclusion, and research. In fact, Fast Company named us one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies in Architecture. Our global team of 2,700 creatives and critical thinkers provides integrated services in architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen; retail strategy and design consultancy Portland; sustainable transportation planning consultancy Nelson\Nygaard; and luxury hospitality design firm Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR).
For more information, contact: max.richter@perkinswill.com phil.fenech@perkinswill.com mike.murray@perkinswill.com