Evergreen at the Brickworks

The Don Valley Brick Works was one of Canada’s pre-eminent brickyards from 1889 to 1989. The 16.4 hectare site was expropriated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority [TRCA] in 1990 to protect its unique geological, historical and environmental features. The site was rezoned as Open Space/Parkland, and designated under the Ontario Heritage Act in 2002.

regionalArchitects, along with sister practice planningAlliance, created a blueprint for the redevelopment of the Brickworks site as a mixed-use centre for exploring the relationship between Nature, Culture and Community, which would model sustainability on all fronts – from the adaptive use of the heritage buildings using green design, to creating an economically self-sustaining operation, to providing a wide range of activities that engage and educate the community and help to restore the environment.