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Union Station Train Shed Revitalization

Project Details

Union Station, one of Canada’s national historic sites and busiest transportation hubs, is being restored and revitalized to better serve the thousands of visitors that pass through the station every day. The Train Shed revitalization and addition of the glass atrium creates an iconic identity that celebrates the heritage structure and exemplifies contemporary design excellence for this high-profile, high-volume transit hub.

A major component of the Union renewal, the Train Shed revitalization project involved the rehabilitation of portions of the historic Bush roof and the replacement of the central portion with a large glass atrium. The glass jewel box floats over the tracks providing daylight at platform level. Delicate curtains of clear glass louvers are suspended from the roof on a light network of steel tubes and cables to repel penetration by rain and snow while naturally ventilating the platform. Visible from the surrounding buildings, this dynamic architectural feature gives the Station a renewed iconic identity while providing passengers with a weather resistant, comfortable environment.

Another major element of our revitalization work includes the provision of additional access stairs and elevators to increase the number of connections and improve flow between the concourse level and the station platform. Over 50 vertical access points have been newly constructed or refurbished, improving passenger access, safety and security to the trains. The enclosures are designed as minimalist glass boxes, similar to the floating atrium roof design. A combination of clear and fritted patterns provide transparency while screening some views for privacy.

Each design intervention was carefully conceived to minimize any risk of disturbing the existing historical infrastructure. Our approach to cohesive integration and balance between the heritage structures and the contemporary design involved close coordination across a large, multidisciplinary team. The result is a design that is complex yet minimal in its experience, highlighting the station’s significance as one of Toronto’s crown jewels.

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Project Details

Location

Toronto, Ontario

Client

Metrolinx

Status

Complete, 2015

Scope

Architecture

Design and Executive Architect: Zeidler

Awards

Architizer A+ Awards – Special Mention, Architecture + Urban Transformation, 2013

Canadian Architect – Award of Excellence, 2012

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