Category Archives: Aesthetics

Winter Warmth

Jordy Gold | Categories: February 22, 2012 By Jordy Gold

This is our first story in a short series on activating public space in the winter. Weather impacts who Canadians are as a people and greatly influences when and how we choose to go outside and spend time in public … Read More

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A Green Wall Blooms in Paris

Wendy Gold | Categories: February 8, 2012 By Wendy Gold

The architecture is so overwhelmingly beautiful in Paris that public spaces are often overlooked. This flowering wall stands out in Square Paul Langevin by creating a colourful backdrop for a small and simple neighbourhood park.

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The Importance of Being Movable

Jake Tobin Garrett | Categories: February 1, 2012 By Jake Tobin Garrett

Maybe I’m lazy, but the first thing I do when I get to a park, plaza or other public space is look for a place to sit down. But it’s amazing how many public spaces get seating so wrong. It’s … Read More

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How a Garage can Enhance a Neighbourhood

Jonathan Friedman | Categories: January 25, 2012 By Jonathan Friedman

At the gateway to downtown Miami Beach’s celebrated pedestrian promenade sits an important new social and civic experiment, Herzog and de Meuron’s 1111 Lincoln Road. Completed in 2010, the mixed-use project features residential, office and retail components; however, the standout … Read More

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A Touch of Green in Montreal

Jordy Gold | Categories: January 11, 2012 By Jordy Gold

Even during the summer months Montreal’s urban core can feel a little cold and hard at times. Sentier Urbain has taken it upon itself to lighten things up and spread a little bit of green around the downtown. The organization … Read More

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New York Gets Waterfront Design Right

Wendy Gold | Categories: January 4, 2012 By Wendy Gold

Is this how you think of New York City? Wood walkways, colourful flowers, tall grasses, warm lights? I’m not talking about the High Line, which has become one of the city’s top economic assets, drawing people from around the world … Read More

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The Potential of Planned and Abandoned Spaces

Kwende Kefentse | Categories: December 27, 2011 By Kwende Kefentse

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry” said Robert Burns famously. But I would add that’s where the coolest stuff starts to happen. Many of us now, for better or for worse, live in planned spaces … Read More

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“One Wish to Change the World”

Jordy Gold | Categories: November 30, 2011 By Jordy Gold

This year a French street artist named JR won the TED Prize, given out by the nonprofit conference on technology, entertainment and design. While I have been more than impressed with all of the projects and people featured on TED, … Read More

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NYC’s High Line Park Theatre

Jake Tobin Garrett | Categories: November 23, 2011 By Jake Tobin Garrett

If you’re like most who have been reading about urban projects in the last year or so, you’re probably sick to death of reading about New York City’s amazingly successful High Line Park. You’ve probably heard all about how it … Read More

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Zurich—A City at the Water’s Edge

Wendy Gold | Categories: November 16, 2011 By Wendy Gold

Photo: Sihl River Zurich frequently tops livability indexes and now I know why. There are the basic qualifications—efficient transportation, low crime and almost no unemployment. But Zurich offers a unique relationship between people and water that makes the quality of … Read More

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