Exploring shade structure options for Waterloo Public Square

Thank you to everyone who provided their feedback on this project. We're happy to share that the new shade structures at Waterloo Public Square are now installed. The square is still under construction as we continue to work on the new fountain.

About the design of the new shade structures:

The design for these structures draws on the industrial origins of the town square. Once home to factories including the company that made the famous Waterloo Thresher, the idea is that the materials of these structures could have been found among the remains of the steel and timber buildings of the time. Sprouting from the ground, they will provide dappled shade through reclaimed timber slats, which are shaped to provide a softer, more organic feel to the square.

Arching up overhead, they shade the steps of the square, while providing a sense of enclosure and scale that draws attention upwards and defines the square as its own space.

The materials used are selected with sustainability in mind, using a very simple palette of wood and steel. The wood is reclaimed from an old arena in Barrie, Ontario, and the structural steel can be recycled or repurposed easily. The materials were selected and designed to be easily replaceable or repurposed if needed.

A moveable shade element will also be coming to the square, towards the end of the summer 2023.

New shade structures at Waterloo Public Square, made with timber slats in the shape of five sprouting leaf-like structures.

On April 25, 2022 Council approved the Waterloo Public Square Improvements report (IPPW 2022-021, report begins on page 55 of the Council packet). This included the detailed design of the Waterloo Public Square Water Feature, as well as both moveable and permanent shade structures.

The water feature was part of the public square's original design approved in 2007, but omitted from construction due to budget constraints and the unknown impacts of the coming ION construction at the square. Crystal Fountains Inc. was retained in 2020 to complete the detailed architectural design of the water feature, and WalterFedy Inc. was retained in 2021 to complete the detailed structural, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering design. The tender for the water feature will be released shortly.

Moveable shade elements should be installed in the spring of 2023, and the permanent shade structures are in detailed design, with a tender to be released shortly for construction in spring 2023.

Drop by Waterloo Public Square on Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk with City of Waterloo staff and project consultants about a proposed concept for shade structures.

Staff and consultants will be onsite to listen to your thoughts, discuss a proposed concept and gather information to guide the next stage of this project.

Using the feedback received, SHIFT worked with local architect, Whitefish Architecture, to develop a conceptual shade structure design suitable for the public square space, presented in the images below.

To bring shade to the square, a repeating shade structure has been conceptually developed to enhance the space while bringing an identifiable element to the heart of uptown. The structures are focused on the south end of the square, working with existing infrastructure and other features, and accommodating the many events that happen in the space. These structures cast a dappled shade over the tiered seating and south end of the square. They may also incorporate accent lighting and could be utilized as features for special events. Beyond the structures, additional planting spaces are also being recommended along King Street to create a green edge to the square and expand on the existing street trees. To provide even more natural shade, additional tree planting is also being considered within the square’s existing raised planters.

These shade elements are intended to recall to the local heritage of uptown in a contemporary way, while introducing natural materials into the square and further enhancing the existing, well-used space. The form of the structures plays on the deconstructed form of a barrel, linking to the city’s historic distilling industry, and also capturing the natural form of a leaf and the natural heritage of the area. Materials would include structural steel framing and reclaimed wood that brings variety to the concrete space and softening the square overall. To further enhance the public space, additional shade trees and pockets of at-grade planting are proposed to complement the organic forms being introduced into the square. There are also opportunities to add wood tops to existing concrete seating to further soften the space.

The concept:

As part of the initial engagement for the overall Laurel Greenway feasibility study project, a January 2021 public engagement period collected input from the public for various approaches to bring shade to the public square. Many excellent ideas and opinions were collected from the community through comments and survey responses. Some of the highlights of that input included:

• a preference for smaller-sized shade elements throughout the square
• a multi-season feature that supports the current uses of the square
• desire for integrating natural materials
• inclusion of trees and planting as a source of natural shade and to break up the extent of the concrete area

A summary of the input can be found in the document library.

While many people let us know during January's consultation about their preference for more trees and natural shade, the limited suitability of the public square for urban trees means that some sort of shade structure will also be needed. Additional planting spaces along King Street have been recommended to create a green edge to the square and expand on the existing street trees, and additional tree planting is also being considered within the square’s existing raised planters. At this point, we are looking for your thoughts on a shade structure, that will integrate natural materials.