Pioneer Village Station, part of the six-station, Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, is a new civic landmark straddling the border of Toronto and York Region and anchoring the north west corner of the York University Campus. The vision for this much-anticipated station is to create a distinct architectural focal point, transform an underserved location into a vibrant transit hub, and encourage future development in the area.

The design team is composed of IBI Group, LEA Consulting Ltd. and WSP as a Joint Venture, in consultation with Will Alsop.

The siting of Pioneer Village Station is led by the alignment of the subway tracks. The station box passes diagonally beneath Steeles Avenue West therefore a pair of sculptural structures are designed as mirror entrances across the intersection. This has the effect of minimizing the station’s footprint while providing multiple pedestrian access points, maximizing visibility and street presence.

Addressing the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) stated desire for distinctive, world-class architecture, the highlight of the station design is the use of weathering steel throughout the surface and underground facilities. The above-grade building façades, the 12-bay TTC bus terminal, the five-bay York Region Rapid Transit bus terminal, and the electrical substation are all clad in solid weathering steel panels with glass or porcelain enamel cladding at the base.

Below-grade, the primary architectural gesture is the re-imagining of a concourse level without a strict horizontal division. Instead, the concourse emerges as a grand hall, arcing through the platform and supported centrally with a mix of ‘X’ and ‘Y’ shaped columns. A curved, untreated, concrete soffit stretches above the platform, compressing the space centrally. The soffit expands upward at the ends of the Platform to the ‘terrace’ levels and beyond, playfully forming the building’s entrances. The experience is a continuous passenger journey within one bold architectural gesture.

Credit: Will Alsop, aLL Design

Credits:
- aLL Design - Consultant/Design Architect - Will Alsop