Branksome Hall, Athletics and Wellness Centre

Toronto, Ontario

Firm

MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects (MJMA)

Client

Branksome Hall

Area

64,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$29,782,700

Completion Date

01/2015

Branksome Hall was established as a K-12 independent all-girls school in the residential South Rosedale Heritage District of the City of Toronto on a 13-acre campus characterized by wooded ravine edges and open green spaces, and bisected by Mount Pleasant Road.
The new Athletics & Wellness Centre (AWC) is 64,000-square-foot, two-story facility consisting of an aquatic center with teaching and training pools, a gymnasium, a fitness center, yoga and dance studios, a dining hall, a kitchen, open courtyards, ravine and rooftop terraces, meeting spaces, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the east and west campuses.
The AWC complements and provides a direct connection to its heritage and natural surroundings with a subdued natural palette of concrete, light wood, masonry, stone and glass, establishing an appropriate neutral backdrop to the colorful school uniforms, team jerseys and student life. A series of internal walkways with interconnected ground and second floors encourages students to interact and engage with athletics, and inspire involvement in the athletic community.
The AWC serves as a campus-wide meeting and gathering space, with places to watch sport, study and socialize.