Client: Tridel

Overview

Aquavista is the second remarkable installment of the new Bayside waterfront community in Toronto as one of North America’s largest cities. Inspired by the acclaimed Arquitectoncia in New York City, Aquavista is a modern sculptural building that evokes a sense of luxury.

Rising 12 stories, Aquavista is part of the largest residential revitalization endeavors along Toronto’s inner harbor waterfront. This will be a year-round urban destination, that will combine functionality and architectural distinctiveness with some of Toronto’s best public spaces. The name of the building, Aquavista, pays tribute to the surrounding geography, “Aqua” meaning water, and “Vista” meaning views and/or perspectives.

Goals

Aligned with the harmony of the lavish surroundings, the building’s compelling art installation, School of Fish, was inspired by the topography of the waterfront and cityspace. Honoring the natural landscape, the radiant cityscape and dynamic community.

The lobby sets the stage for the building’s stunning high-impact art program featured throughout the unique and sophisticated public amenities.

Process

The designers worked closely with the fabricators to successfully execute a material made of black metal that closely resembles a fish silhouette. The team worked closely to ensure the material delicately attached to the wire without controlling the natural movement of air that flows through the entrance lobby space. Pre-fabricated segments allowed for speedy installation of less than one week.

Additional Information

As you step inside the lobby, residents and guests are greeted by an eye-catching sculptural installation, titled, “School of Fish”, that balances the public space as an expression of art and contemporary social culture. The inspiration behind, School of Fish, is drawn from Canada’s spectacular natural landscape and the marine life of Toronto’s waterscape. Made from matte black powder coat finish metal, each fish is suspended from the double story space to create the illusion of floating fish clustered together while the textural wall feature acts as a backdrop, emulating the natural ebb and flow of waves. Residents and guests are guided with ease into the subterranean level by the installation as it cascades through the spiral staircase, while down lighting casts abstract shadows creating a silhouette on the floor emulating a school of fish in a swirling pattern. Evoking a sense of calm and tranquility, the installation can be viewed from different angles, above, close up or from below, revealing different perspectives to be experienced.