ARK’s ‘The Quad Student Community’ project has won an international design award for its incorporation of public artwork at York University.
Designed by Toronto- based firm ARK (Architects + Research + Knowledge Inc.) in collaboration with Montréal artist Nicolas Baier, The Quad received the top award in the Education Category at the 2019 CODAawards: Collaboration of Design + Art.
The Quad is one of only two Canadian projects among 435 entries to be named to the CODAawards winners list this year. It’s also the only Canadian project to receive a top award.
The CODAawards recognize collaborations that result in outstanding projects, which successfully integrate commissioned art into interior, architectural, or public spaces, and awards top honours to ten projects across ten separate categories.
“The CODAawards recognize the importance of collaboration, and honour the design and art professionals whose collective imaginations create the public and private spaces that inspire us,” said Toni Sikes, CEO of CODAworx.”
Extending across two city blocks and up six-storeys, the public artwork spans the entire facade of the Quad’s two adjacent residence buildings at 95 and 105 The Pond Road.
Initial designs conceptualized the structure itself as public artwork and computer modeling was used to map the individual location of each of the building’s 871 black-coated aluminum panels, which have been selectively inscribed to inspire the pursuit of knowledge and branching out. The resulting installation mapped over 350,000 square-feet of real estate.
“The notion of integrating public art and architecture was central to the architectural design from the outset – this project was a constant, determined collaboration between the architect, artist, city, university, developer and constructor,” said Guela Solow- Ruda, managing partner at ARK. “It is an honour for our firm to receive this award and for all involved in making the vision for this design a reality.”
