TSA Landscape Tour: Ziibiing and UofT’s Landscape of Landmark Quality

It’s a special back-to-school edition for our next TSA tour as we take on a double-feature experience with not just one, but two recently completed landscape projects transforming the historic heart of the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus: Ziibiing and UofT’s Landscape of Landmark Quality Project.

Located at Hart House Circle, the Ziibiing project is a multi-use greenspace for learning, gathering, and ceremony. Designed by the Indigenous Design Studio and Landscape Architecture team at Brook McIlroy with input from University of Toronto Elders, faculty, and students, this landscape acts as an immersive, active, and meaningful space that is representative of the many diverse Indigenous Nations on Turtle Island. Surrounding it, and encompassing four historic landscapes —King’s College Circle, Hart House Circle, Sir Daniel Wilson Quad, and the Back Campus fields—is the UofT Landscape of Landmark Quality, one of the largest landscape infrastructure projects in Canada. Led by KPMB Architects and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the project sets a long-term vision to clarify, reimagine, and connect the campus by removing all surface-level parking, significantly limiting vehicular access to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, expanding green areas and biodiversity, and enhancing accessibility. The project also includes a large geothermal field as part of an ongoing initiative to reduce overall campus emissions. These two projects represent in built and natural forms the values and priorities of the university, respectful of the institution’s long history while also looking towards a more sustainable, inclusive and accessible future.

During our tour, we’ll have the chance to hear directly from the architects, landscape architects and designers behind these two incredible spaces, learn about the unique challenges behind these landmark landscapes and lessons learnt that can help shape future projects across the city.

Tour Guides

• Calvin Brooks, Principal, Brook McIlroy
• Luke Mullet, Associate, Brook McIlroy
• Danny Roy, Indigenous Design Studio, Brook McIlroy
• Shirley Blumberg, Principal, KPMB Architects
• Nick Jones, Associate, KPMB Architects

You can learn more about our guides on our website.

TSA Member Priority Access

This tour is 50% off for TSA Members using the promo code found in the latest TSA Bulletin or on the Member Dashboard. TSA Members also receive early access to tickets on Wednesday, August 27 at 9:00 AM. Spots remaining will then be made available to the public on September 9 at 9:00 AM. Not a member yet? Become a TSA Member today and get access to free, discounted, and exclusive member programming.

Photo (above) by Salina Kassam, courtesy of KMPB Architects.

Photo (below) by Tom Arban, courtesy of Brook McIlroy.

About the Projects: Ziibiing

Located at Hart House Circle, one of the most prominent landscapes at the University of Toronto and the eastern gateway to the St. George Campus, the Ziibiing project is a multi-use greenspace for learning, gathering, and ceremony. The name ‘Ziibiing’ means ‘at the river’ in Anishinaabemowin, a fitting name as the site is located along the historical course of Taddle Creek. Designed by the Indigenous Design Studio and Landscape Architecture team at Brook McIlroy with input from University of Toronto Elders, faculty, and students, this landscape acts as an immersive, active, and meaningful space that is representative of the many diverse Indigenous Nations on Turtle Island, connecting visitors with land, culture, and each other. 

To foster an inclusive space, the design draws from cultural elements significant to many Indigenous communities such as fire, water, and the stars. A bronze open-air pavilion featuring a sacred fire and wood seating serves as a ceremonial gathering space. Situated atop of a hill, the pavilion forms a focal point in the landscape and is a welcoming beacon to all. Working with Indigenous plant medicine expert Joseph Pitawanakwat, the plant selection is curated to demonstrate a microcosm of this region’s most significant plants, providing an immersive environment and resources for land-based pedagogy. 

This project is among the University’s early responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and contemplates reclamation and (re)conciliation. It is being coordinated with a larger campus revitalization project, Landscape of Landmark Quality, which will fundamentally rethink the landscapes in and around King’s College Circle. 

Learn more about this project on the architect’s website. 

About the Projects: Landscape of Landmark Quality, University of Toronto

At the heart of the University of Toronto’s historic St. George Campus are four landmarks that comprise one of the largest landscape infrastructure projects in Canada — King’s College Circle (KKC), Hart House Circle, Sir Daniel Wilson Quad, and the Back Campus Fields. 

Led by KPMB Architects and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), the project sets a long-term vision to clarify, reimagine, and connect the campus. It illustrates the University’s initiative to remove all surface-level parking and prioritize pedestrians and cyclists, all while expanding green areas, enhancing accessibility, and building infrastructure to enable a climate positive future.

MVVA designed a necklace of gardens and trees encircling the KKC lawn, which was re-graded and renewed to provide a flexible green space for events, sport, and quiet reflection. A network of granite pathways replaces vehicular routes to create a car-free environment, and a single level parking garage was designed and built below the reconstructed lawn of KKC, complete with a striking glass entry pavilion.

Beneath the ambitious landscape, 368 boreholes drilled to a depth of 250 m form a substantial geothermal field used for heating and cooling, part of a larger effort by the University to reduce emissions by over 46,000 metric tons annually by 2027. The system is also visible through subterranean observation windows, serving as an educational tool for students and visitors. The project also contributes to biodiversity and climate resilience through extensive planting over 90 new gardens, each carefully populated with plants that foster pollination, enhance year-round visual interest, and rebuild local microecosystems.

The project underscores the scale of ambition: reclaiming 17 acres in the heart of Canada’s largest city to create a welcoming, accessible, and green campus core — continuing the University’s legacy for generations to come.

Learn more about this project on the architect’s website. 

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About TSA Building Tours

Designed for architects by architects, the TSA Building Tours offer unique behind-the-scenes access to recently completed or under construction buildings across the GTA. Led by the team behind their design, these tours provide an opportunity to hear the stories behind the architecture and learn about the challenges and successes in ideating and realising the vision for the building.

Thank You!

TSA Building Tours are made possible thanks to the generous support of STEIN + REGENCY.

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