We have responded to two distinct levels of function and meaning in our City Hall solution. On one hand the requirements for symbolic image and civic ceremony suggest a formal, readily comprehensible building strongly defining a public space. On the other hand, the requirements for a diverse public use, open and accessible government and a vital civic square suggest a configuration embodying choice, complexity and variety. This suggests a penetrable public space offering easy and informal access to the various public elements.
In response to the formal and symbolic needs we have established an overall image of the circle in the square: a U-shaped wall of offices containing and terminating the defined public square of the program. In response to the diverse public use, a circular arcade defines the public route and feeds the many varied functions: the daycare center, the amphitheatre, the conservatory, the public lobby, the council chamber, the north/south and east/west public gates. The primary entry point is symbolically marked by the soaring clock tower, clearly locating the entry, the lobby and indoor ceremonial space. The council chamber maintains its symbolic and functional importance as an elevated cube over a reflecting pool bellow. Its retrospective form makes it distinct and recognizable but subordinate in form and role to the more public gathering spaces within and outside the building. Both the council chamber and the square are related to the tilted axis of the major north/south road in Mississauga, Highway 10, and to the street to the west of the site. This second geometry suggests the public function which is independent of the regular order structuring the rest of the complex.
The north/south, east/west grid of public pedestrian walkways remains open for use at all times as a free network intersecting City Hall square. Three of the four public gates, on the north, east and west sides of the block, coincide with the positions of elevator and stair cores. The distribution of cores allows the southeast and southwest wings of the building to be treated initially as separate buildings with independent access for fitness, daycare and retail facilities during off-business hours. The third to fifth floors of the southeast wing and the third to sixth floors of the southwest wing provide 4,500 square meters of space which can be leased to separate office tenants. City departments can expand horizontally into these wings as their space requirements grow.
We have created a building whose low encompassing form defines distinctive indoor and outdoor places in the midst of an open environment generally devoid of focus. With its clock tower we have added a familiar, recognizable symbol that becomes an important landmark on the horizon. We believe that our design for the City Hall will be a catalyst for a new approach to building in Mississauga.
(From official publication)
The manner in which the design integrated the building and the square was admired, as was its strong urban relationship to the adjoining sites. However, it was felt that the submission was not as clearly developed an architectural idea as either the First or Second Award Winners, and that like the Second Award winner, it was potentially unable to meet the cost and energy budgets without significant revision.
(From jury report)
4 scanned / 4 viewable
- Photograph of Model
- Perspective
- Site Plan
- Photograph of Model
