Jane and Finch Hub
We were hired by Jane/Finch Centre to develop the building program and concept design for the new Jane and Finch Community Hub and Centre for the Arts.
The Jane-Finch neighbourhood in northwest Toronto is a diverse community
with a large population of newcomers and young people. The area has many local
organizations, grassroots groups and active community leaders, but there is a
lack of space for community-led initiatives.
View of community cafe and art gallery
When residents learned that the planned Finch West LRT would
include a maintenance and storage facility in their neighbourhood, they
petitioned for Metrolinx to provide land on the site for a community hub.
Local
organizations and resident groups began a community engagement process to
define a vision and programming for the new space.
![Aerial view sketch drawing of the building on Finch Ave with the Maintenance Yard in the background]()
PROPOSED COMMUNITY hub on Finch AveNUE
We worked closely with the
Jane/Finch Centre’s staff and local facilitators to build on this collective
vision.
Over a six-month period, we participated in 11 workshops and four meetings with a 25-member Stakeholder Advisory Group of local people and organizations
Over a six-month period, we participated in 11 workshops and four meetings with a 25-member Stakeholder Advisory Group of local people and organizations
View of the theatre spaceResidents told us their desires and priorities, and we responded
with a flexible, accessible, multi-use design. A welcoming entrance lobby
doubles as an art gallery and cafe, with an adjacent community kitchen. The
full-sized theatre at the heart of the building can be divided into smaller
event spaces, or be used as a basketball court. The roof has a garden and
sports facilities; small-business incubator spaces activate the streetscape
along Finch Avenue.
“We spent a lot of time meeting with people in the community to develop the initial form and programming spaces for the Jane Finch Hub. Their insights challenged conventional design approaches and reminded us of the importance of truly listening to people who know and care about their community.”
— Helena Grdadolnik
Client: Jane/Finch Centre
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2019
Team: Helena Grdadolnik , Kellie Chin, Elaine Chau, Nina Hitzler, and Thomas Petch
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2019
Team: Helena Grdadolnik , Kellie Chin, Elaine Chau, Nina Hitzler, and Thomas Petch