HOK SELECTED TO LEAD THE PLANNING, DESIGN & COMPLIANCE TEAM FOR TORONTO 2015
PAN/PARAPAN AMERICAN GAMES ATHLETES' VILLAGE

World-class design team,
HOK|Montgomery Sisam|DTAH|Quadrangle Architects|Populous in collaboration,
to support vision of a vibrant, green neighborhood on Toronto's waterfront.

TORONTO, Oct. 14 /CNW/ - Today, Infrastructure Ontario, in partnership with Waterfront Toronto, announced the selection of HOK as the leader of the planning, design and compliance (PDC) team responsible for the section of the West Don Lands that will be home to the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes' Village.

HOK|Montgomery Sisam|DTAH|Quadrangle Architects|Populous in collaboration, are responsible for developing output specifications and preliminary design documents for the project. These documents will form the guidelines and performance requirements within which the successful bidder team must work when preparing the overall design. The Athletes' Village project will proceed under Infrastructure Ontario's Alternative Financing and Procurement model whereby risks associated with designing, constructing, and financing the facilities are transferred to the private sector.

The Athletes' Village project increases the pace of the West Don Lands revitalization, which is part of the renewal of Toronto's waterfront. The design for the Athletes' Village will be based on Waterfront Toronto's vision for a green, modern and vibrant new community as outlined in the West Don Lands Precinct Plan. After the Games, the village area will become a predominantly residential neighbourhood that includes affordable housing. The Village will serve as the home-away-from-home for the athletes and officials of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games:

• 8,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the Pan American Games, July 10-26, 2015.
• 2,200 athletes and officials are expected to participate in the Parapan American Games, August 7-14, 2015.

"This Athletes' Village will change the face of Toronto's waterfront forever. For Torontonians, the legacy of a new mixed-income, mixed tenure neighbourhood will live long after the Games. During the Games, the Village will be the finest home ever created for athletes," said Mark Guslits, project team leader and HOK's senior project director, commercial/residential architecture. "I have been committed to Waterfront Toronto's vision for the West Don Lands for many years and am honoured that HOK is able to help make it a reality." Jointly the partner firms are committed to ensuring design excellence, sustainability, and a vibrant public realm are created in Toronto's newest landmark, waterfront community.

The team brings together global expertise in athlete village planning, design, and operations, and the most creative minds in community and neighbourhood design in Canada.

Marc Klein, senior event manager, Populous will be the village program manager. He is an expert in the design and planning of athletes' villages with experience working on 14 sites, including playing a lead role in the Olympic villages for the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi. Marc's considerable experience will guide the team in optimizing the legacy buildings for use during the Games and minimizing the need for temporary facilities.

"The team has unparalleled experience in creating innovative new urban mixed-use communities such as the Artscape Wychwood Barns and Evergreen Brick Works done by DTAH, and communities such as the Regent Park Revitalization, Lakeshore Village, and CAMH Revitalization completed by other team members," said Joe Lobko, principal, du Toit Architects (DTAH).

"Together, the team has performed every aspect of the Alternative Financing and Procurement (AFP) approach and will apply this experience to the Athletes' Village. Most recently, HOK provided planning and design consulting services for one of Infrastructure Ontario's largest projects to date - Humber River Regional Hospital," said Hagen Materne, principal-in-charge, and senior vice president at HOK. Creating a green community is key to the success of this project, and the legacy buildings of the athletes' village will be designed to LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) New Construction - Gold. As LEED certification and sustainable energy specialist on the project, HOK will utilize its considerable expertise in sustainable design and industry leading best practices to deliver a vibrant, sustainable community.

About HOK in Canada

HOK is a global design firm that specializes in planning, design, and delivery solutions for sustainable buildings and communities. In Canada, they design large mixed-use commercial, residential, hospitality, transportation, and public & institutional projects, and have extensive experience in the delivery of public private partnership projects. The firm's expertise includes architecture, regional and urban planning, interiors, strategic facilities planning and sustainability consulting. HOK has studios in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver. hok.com

About Montgomery Sisam

Montgomery Sisam is an award winning, Toronto based design firm with a reputation for design leadership in various sectors including residential, community, healthcare, long term care and infrastructure. A leader in sustainable design, the firm has also played a significant role in Toronto's city-building over the past three decades. Montgomery Sisam has delivered a range of significant and critically acclaimed projects which have also contributed to the growth and renewal of their surrounding urban context. montgomerysisam.com

About DTAH

Du Toit Architects Limited | Du Toit Allsopp Hillier (DTAH), is a Toronto-based firm of 35 architects, landscape architects and planners dedicated to the creation of meaningful spaces, landscapes and communities. One of the country's earliest interdisciplinary design practices, the firm's work is characterized by the integration of architecture and landscape design within a sound planning framework. DTAH's ongoing work for the Toronto Central Waterfront Revitalization, Evergreen at the Brick Works, and the award-winning Artscape Wychwood Barns, demonstrates the success of this approach in support of vibrant communities around the City. dtah.com

About Quadrangle Architects

Established in 1986, Quadrangle Architects Limited is among Canada's most dynamic architectural firms with a portfolio of projects that illustrates a diversified client list, including major players in the master planning, residential, commercial, media and hospitality industries. Equally wide-ranging is the firm's scope and expertise in the rehabilitation and conversion of existing buildings, historical restorations and renovations, corporate interiors and institutional projects. With over 50 awards to their credit, Quadrangle consistently achieves excellence in architecture and design. www.quadrangle.ca

About Populous

Since its inception in 1983, Populous has grown into the world's leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating environments that draw people and communities together for unforgettable experiences. The firm has designed more than 1,000 venues around the globe, including such icons as Yankee Stadium, Wembley and ANZ Stadium. In addition, Populous has planned, designed, operated and implemented major sporting events such as the NFL Super Bowl, Major League Baseball's All Star Game and multiple Olympic Games. With a portfolio of more than 400 major event venues, Populous is recognized as the world leader in event overlay design, procurement and construction. populous.com

For further information:

Miriam Sherkey
Hill & Knowlton
[phone]
[email protected]

Jessica Rowen
HOK
[email protected]