The City of Thunder Bay commissioned the design of a new mixed-use village and waterfront park that extends Prince Arthur's Landing to the edge of Lake Superior. Key components of the project’s public elements are: An extensive waterfront park network, including dedicated trails and a sequence of highly landscaped destinations including the Water Garden Pavilion, a public event space and support services for a winter skating rink and summer splash pad; Baggage Building Arts Centre; and Spirit Garden – an outdoor performance/gathering area which honors Thunder Bay’s Aboriginal heritage. New lighting plays a key role in the dramatic transformation of the formerly derelict Lake Superior port into a truly unique waterfront destination year-round, especially during the long, dark winters.

CLIENT
The City of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

TEAM
Brook McIlroy, architect and landscape architect

RECOGNITION
2016 Ontario Association of Architects, Design Excellence Award
2015 International Olympic Committee/IAKS, Silver Medal for Architecture 2013 Chicago Athenaeum and European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies International Architecture Award
2013 Canadian Urban Institute, Brownfields Awards - Best Small Scale Project
2012 International Downtown Association, Pinnacle Award
2012 Waterfront Center (Washington, D.C.), Excellence on the Waterfront Honor Award
2012 Thunder Bay Clean, Green and Beautiful Awards, Diamond Award
2012 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, National Urban Design Award
2012 Ontario Association of Architects Artifact Award
2012 Ontario Wood WORKS! Jury's Choice Award
2012 Canadian Institute of Planners, Planning Excellence Award
2012 Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, Certificate of Merit for Service to the Environment
2011 North American Wood Design Council, Merit Award
2010 Canadian Urban Institute, Brownfields Awards, Best Large Scale Project

Photography: Courtesy of David Whittaker