New York-based design studio Agency—Agency works in collaboration with local design studio SHEEEP on the Staging Grounds installation which is found under an expressway in Toronto. It is a stormwater garden that is created along part of The Bentway Park.
It is meant to help funnel and cleanse rainwater that is collected from the expressway using the passive filtration system. Tei Carpenter, the director at Agency—Agency explains that "It's a privilege working with The Bentway on Staging Grounds to think creatively about the city's infrastructure and to centre the design of water in the public's daily experience." It features re-routed downspouts that will carry the water and melted snow directly to circular planters at the base.
Expressway Re-Routed Stormwater Gardens
Agency—Agency and SHEEEP Design the Staging Grounds
Trend Themes
1. Passive Filtration Technology - The Staging Grounds installation utilizes a passive filtration system to cleanse rainwater collected from the expressway, presenting opportunities for advancements in this technology.
2. Urban Stormwater Management - The stormwater garden at The Bentway Park demonstrates an innovative approach to managing urban stormwater, suggesting potential for further development in this area.
3. Integration of Design and Infrastructure - The collaboration between Agency—Agency and SHEEEP highlights the opportunity to integrate creative design solutions with infrastructure projects such as expressways, opening doors to new possibilities.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Engineering - The passive filtration system used in the Staging Grounds installation presents new opportunities for environmental engineers to enhance water cleansing methods.
2. Landscape Architecture - The urban stormwater garden at The Bentway Park showcases the potential for landscape architects to incorporate sustainable stormwater management techniques into their designs.
3. Urban Planning - The integration of creative design and infrastructure seen in the collaboration between Agency—Agency and SHEEEP calls for urban planners to explore innovative approaches in future projects.