Staging Grounds

RAIC National Urban Design Award 2024. Environmental installation at the Bentway, Toronto.

Public SpaceUrban EcologyRAIC AwardSheeep

Overview

A living laboratory for urban ecology at the Bentway, under the Gardiner Expressway. The installation uses rainwater runoff from the highway above to irrigate oversized planters and support flowering native plant species.

Staging Grounds under the Gardiner Expressway at the Bentway — Staging Grounds under the Gardiner Expressway. Photography: Samuel Engelking.

Staging Grounds interpretive signage and planting infrastructure — Interpretive signage frames the project as an urban ecology learning site. Photography: Samuel Engelking.

Axonometric drawing of Staging Grounds at the Bentway — Project axonometric showing the installation layout below the Gardiner.

Diagram of Staging Grounds planter and rainwater ecology system — Planter diagram showing the relationship between runoff, planting, and public education.

People gathered at Staging Grounds beneath the Gardiner Expressway — Public occupation of the completed installation. Photography: Samuel Engelking.

Atmospheric view of Staging Grounds planting beneath the Gardiner Expressway — The project turns leftover infrastructure space into a planted public environment. Photography: Samuel Engelking.

Why It Mattered

The underside of the Gardiner Expressway is one of Toronto's most underutilized urban spaces. The challenge was creating an installation that turns infrastructure waste into a productive ecological system while engaging the public.

How It Worked

Designed by Agency-Agency and Sheeep Studio, with engineering by Buro Happold, graphic design by Neil Donnelly Studio, and horticultural consulting by Brother Nature. I was part of the credited Sheeep Studio project team, contributing to the visual communication, presentation drawings, project documentation, and production support around the installation.

What It Shows

RAIC National Urban Design Award 2024. Covered by Fast Company, the Globe and Mail, Dezeen, and Archdaily within weeks of opening.

Technologies

Rhino/GrasshopperFabricationV-RayCNCLaser Cutting