The decade-long redevelopment of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) complex at Queen and Ossington continues with the latest Site Plan Approval application for Block 7 of the redevelopment, proposing a striking KPMB Architects-designed research centre for the south-east corner of the complex, abutting Shaw. This project is proposed as part of phase 4 of the redevelopment. 

Aerial overview of Block 7 within the CAMH Lands, image via Google Maps

Abutting the parkland block at the south east corner of Queen and Shaw, the 7-storey complex would house 146,985 m² of institutional space and 1,775 m² of retail on the ground floor. The building features a single curvey volume that emerges from the base, stepping back more and more at each level to form a distorted ‘U’-shape. Terraces line the various step-backs with outdoor spaces.

Looking south to CAMH Block 7, image via submission to the City of Toronto

With this plot of land undergoing rezoning with the rest of the complex in 2006, this is the first concrete design we've seen for this facility, which now has material selections finalized in this submission to the city. The ground floor levels would be clad in grey and clear vision glass, with the upper levels using bronze fins and spandrel to frame the full-height vision glass glazing. 

Upper-level cladding at CAMH Block 7, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The project is bound to its east by a masonry wall, which once acted as an enclosure for the former Provincial Lunatic Asylum, constructed in the late 1800s. The plan proposes a fully landscaped space between the building and the wall, with a number of weaving paths, a water feature, and seating.

Looking southwest to CAMH Block 7, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Originally ideated in 1999, the CAMH redevelopment project has completed 3 construction phases since it first broke ground in 2006. CAMH expects to break ground on the fourth phase of the project in 2021. 

You can learn more about The CAMH Redevelopment Project from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the field provided on this page.

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