Fort York Visitor Centre
Toronto

In collaboration with RAW Design, Gareth Hoskins Architects were shortlisted for the Fort York Visitor Centre competition. Built in 1793, Fort York is the birthplace of urban Toronto. It is best known as the location of the violent climax to the Battle of York during the War of 1812. The competition required detailed proposals for a 2,000 m² centre that was to enhance the visitor experience, provide an introduction to the fort and act as a community hub.

The proposal is composed of a series of angled planes that peel out of the landscape to create a collection of spaces interacting with the fort’s parkland setting and the surrounding area. A projecting light box provides a glowing presence to the street. Visitor services and interpretive elements are set either side of a central space aligned along the historical approach. This route creates a clear sense of direction and orientation for visitors, so that moving through the building, they always return back to this axis and the key view of the fort entrance.