Janet Rosenberg + Studio Inc.
The new civic square at Guelph’s city hall is an important gathering space for the community and host to events such as music festivals, Canada Day celebrations and ice skating. The project was developed to rejuvenate the downtown core, encouraging residents to return. Market Square centres on an oval water feature that reflects the historic wall of city hall. Seven programmable sculptural water jets along with LED lighting and sound system animate the pool.
Curved stone benches provide flexible seating around elliptical stone planters. Kentucky Coffee trees were chosen for their unique branching structure and the dappled light that filters through their canopy.
Photo: Jeff McNeill
Photo: Jeff McNeill
Photo: Jeff McNeill
Photo: Kim Lawrence
Photo: Jeff McNeill
“This project reintroduces the "Town Square" in the medieval sense of the expression, into the heart of Guelph. A beautiful and elegantly designed urban space, it has also transformed into a rallying point for citizens, offering all sorts of activities at different times of day, in different seasons — creating a truly viable civic and civil alternative to mall entertainment."