Mosaic
+Selected for display at the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Conference in 2021
Location Toronto, ON, Canada
Program Library + Community Hub
Course 1B Design Studio (Winter 2021)
Supervisor Cam Parkin
The Mosaic Library and Community Hub lies at the intersection of three Torontonian neighbourhoods, longing to be a dwelling for all of the residents. By directly addressing different people and their needs and creating a welcoming space through program, circulation, materiality and light, the Mosaic library encourages the intermingling of Toronto’s diverse peoples, emphasizing the celebration of culture and the fostering of community. Specifically, the Mosaic Library and Community Hub includes a library program mixed with a community kitchen, garden and food bank, aiding with issues of food (in)security. A central staircase symbolic of the intersection of the neighbourhoods and clad in mosaic tiles grounds the building and offers moments of socialization and rest. After all, Canada is given the name “Multicultural Mosaic” for a reason.
Population Age
Set in downtown Toronto, it was incredibly important to start the project by looking at what’s around to ensure the proposed building would benefit the site and people.
Median Household Income
Second & Third Floorplans Respectively
Mosaic’s plans took time to resolve as the building houses a variety of different program such as a library, community kitchen, food bank, children’s space, language classrooms and study spaces
It was really important for the building to reflect its context. For that reason, the shape of an acorn, which appears in many places around the site including Toronto’s old street signs and a symbol of growth and resilience, was the inspiration for the façade.
Sustainability Considerations