CannonDesign

Laurier Brantford YMCA

Laurier Brantford YMCA

LAURIER BRANTFORD YMCA

CannonDesign

ARCHITECTS
CannonDesign

CLIENTS
Wilfrid Laurier University and YMCA Hamilton Burlington Brantford

MANUFACTURERS
AutoDesk, Tremco, Alumicor, Armstrong Ceilings, ROCKWOOL, Special-Lite, Brampton Brick, Horizon Concrete Construction, Robert McNeel & Associates, Ten Plus Architectural Products, Trimble Navigation, Vicwest Building Products, Walters

CIVIL ENGINEER
MTE Consultants Inc.

INTERIORS
CannonDesign

MECHANICAL
Crossey Engineering Ltd.

GC/CM
D. Grant Construction

LEAD ARCHITECTS
CannonDesign

STRUCTURAL
Read Jones Christoffersen

LANDSCAPE
Vertechs Design Inc.

DESIGN TEAM
CannonDesign

NATATORIUM
Aquapro Aquatic Design

PHOTOGRAPHS
Adrian Williams

AREA
120000 ft²

SIGNAGE
CannonDesign

CATEGORY
Healthcare, Wellbeing

LOCATION
Brantford, Canada

YEAR
2018

Text description provided by architect.

The result of a dynamic partnership between the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford and Wilfrid Laurier University, the Laurier Brantford YMCA revitalizes the City of Brantford as a hub for community health, recreation and wellness.

Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams

The two clients worked together through a highly collaborative design process that ensured all ideas and possibilities were uncovered and needs best met as they shaped a project to create exciting new opportunities for students and local residents.

Located at the confluence of a dynamic city edge, the center is conceived as an integrated design that offers the public a unified and cohesive experience asserting a new identity to the block and city as a whole.

Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams

The design focuses on three themes – memory, movement and landscape – as it draws upon the rhythms and patterns of buildings that previously filled the location while creating new possibilities.

The center revitalizes the city’s downtown and creates exciting opportunities for recreation programming. The 120,000-sf facility includes: An aquatics center for lane swimming, swim lessons, aquatic fitness and therapy and leisure; A dedicated childminding area; Five inclusive changing rooms for families and all genders.

Laurier Brantford YMCA

Plus, there are four additional team changing rooms for Wilfrid Laurier athletics events; A youth zone for focused recreational, social and leadership development programs; A double gym designed for sports and competition with retractable stadium seating for 860 people and a supporting first aid and athletic therapy space; Comprehensive cardio and weight training areas with WiFi capabilities for fitness programs and access to apps; A single gym space for other recreation opportunities and programs; Health intake consultation rooms for specialized community-based health care programs in partnership with Hamilton Health Sciences and Brant Community Healthcare System; Three studios for a large variety of group fitness classes including cycling and dance among others; Multi-purpose spaces for social, educational and cultural programming; A Wilfrid Laurier student lounge for group work and socialization

Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams

The project received a prestigious Progressive Architecture (P/A) Award from Architect magazine in 2012 when it was in design.

At that point, the jury said of the project: “It brings a historical neighborhood into the 21st century.”

Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams

The project is meaningful to its site as it replaces vacant row houses and is integrated into a sloped hillside to ensure it is visually pleasant and appropriate.

Inside, the building welcomes abundant natural light and open views inside and out of the building. The project was delayed 18 months due to an extensive archaeological dig that unearthed more than 400,000 artifacts dating from 500 BCE to the 21st century.

Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams


Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams


Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams
Laurier Brantford YMCA
© Adrian Williams


Laurier Brantford YMCA
Floor plan 01
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Floor plan 02


Laurier Brantford YMCA
Diagram 01
Laurier Brantford YMCA
Diagram 02

CannonDesign
T +1 734 2226210 -
CannonDesign
300 E 42nd St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017, United States