# Expressway Re-Routed Stormwater Gardens Agency—Agency and SHEEEP Design the Staging Grounds By Amy Duong | Published 2023-08-16 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/staging-grounds References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2023/08/16/agency-agency-and-sheeep-design-stormwater-gardens-underneath-toronto-bentway/) & [sheeep.studio](https://sheeep.studio/)  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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-ecological-design) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breathing-sea-wall). 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/henderson-art-garden) at the base. Image Credit: Agency—Agency, SHEEEP ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 17% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **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. - **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. - **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. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Environmental Engineering:** The passive filtration system used in the Staging Grounds installation presents new opportunities for environmental engineers to enhance water cleansing methods. - **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. - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Subterranean Garden Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thames-tideway-tunnel.md) - [Urban Roofscape Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/central-yards.md) - [Beautified Community Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beauty-at-the-bentway.md) - [Flood-Defence Nature Parks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cf-mller.md) - [Artfully Made Floating Plazas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aquapraa.md) - [Art Park Building Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/storm-king.md) - [Tunnel Six-Lane Highway](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/land-bridge-and-prairie.md) - [Reimagined Civic Gardens](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/union-terrace-garden.md) - [Brand-Backed Sculptural Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/briony-douglas.md)