Equinox Bridge designed by WilkinsonEyre, was recently revealed as the selected design for the Keating Channel Pedestrian Bridge. The Equinox Bridge is designed by team consists of local and international firms, including WilkinsonEyre (design architect), Zeidler Architecture Inc. (local architect), Arup (engineer), Two Row Architect (Indigenous consultant), and PLANT Architect Inc. (landscape architect). The announcement was made by Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto, in collaboration with Host Nation and Treaty Holder, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
“Honouring the rich Indigenous history of the lands and waters that make up Toronto’s waterfront is essential to the success of this project,” says Ogimaa-Kwe (Chief) Claire Sault “The Equinox Bridge design will represent and celebrate Indigenous history and culture while creating space for dialogue, reconciliation and relationship-building.”
The Equinox Bridge is characterized by a signature S-shaped suspended “arch bridge” connected by a sculptural array of fanning cables. The orientation of the bridge’s curves align with the summer solstice sunset and the winter solstice sunrise.
The Equinox Bridge will connect the growing downtown and emerging neighbourhoods like Quayside with new housing and green space on Villiers Island, Toronto’s next waterfront community. The Equinox Bridge will provide a vital connection for thousands of new residents and estimated millions of visitors to a growing network of waterfront destinations and an expanded regional park system along the Don River.
“We have developed a beautiful signature bridge design which will provide the Toronto a striking new destination on the waterfront,” said Dominic Bettison, Director, WilkinsonEyre. “As a new gateway, the Equinox Bridge will promote interaction and enjoyment of panoramic views of the city, the island, and the wider lake.”
The design selected was part of a two stage design competition which included 13 expressions of interest submissions and five design teams were selected for the design competition.
Image Credits: WilkonsonEyre