Pioneer Village Subway Station in Toronto
Photo series showcasing one the last works of British Architect Will Alsop.
Text description provided by the architects. IBI Group is the architect of record for both Finch West and Pioneer Village Station, based on the scheme designed by Will Alsop, in joint venture with LEA Consulting Ltd. and WSP. Light Spell was designed by Tim and Jan Edler of realities:united
The subway station’s entrances were designed as a pair of sculptural structures; their height exceeding that necessary, to increase their visibility - 'We learn a lot from cathedrals ,' said Will Alsop. Rendered in weathering steel, these two structures mirror each other in shape and scale. The bus station canopy – also Corten steel – has a huge cantilevered roof, the surface of which is planted with meadow grasses , to create a ‘green - roof’ and to provide shelter for waiting passengers.
Both Pioneer Village station and Finch West station (below) comprise beautifully executed concrete work – in Pioneer Village the interior walls are faceted, highly - polished concrete and the supporting columns along the length of the platforms are angled and ovoid in section.