Enhancing pedestrian wind comfort at Daniels Waterfront
- Client Name
- Daniels Corporation
- Location
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Challenge
The Daniels Waterfront development is a mixed-use retail, office, institutional, and residential complex in Toronto. It is strategically located along Lakeshore Boulevard East and features two distinct blocks. The south block includes two towers, 11 and 13-storeys tall, atop a four-storey podium, while the north block features two towers, 36 and 45-storeys tall, atop a two-storey podium.
Central to the development is a pedestrian-friendly plaza that encourages outdoor seating and community engagement, enhancing the urban experience. Creating a comfortable environment for people was central to the success of the plaza. However, its location between tall buildings meant the space was subject to the ‘wind tunnel effect’, which impacted comfort and usability.
Early in the design process, SLR carried out quantitative wind tunnel tests, which confirmed the acceleration of wind between the buildings led to uncomfortable conditions within the plaza.
Solution
SLR proposed adding a canopy to the southwest corner of the north block to minimize the wind accelerations between buildings. Extending across the gap between the buildings and connecting to the facade of the south block, the design aimed to deflect downwashing wind flows from the west tower of the north block. Wind tunnel testing illustrated a significant improvement in wind conditions within the plaza.
Impact
Through extensive wind tunnel testing, SLR provided essential insights into wind flows, allowing the design team to tailor effective solutions to address the unique needs of development.
With construction now complete, the implemented canopies have proven effective in significantly improving wind conditions across the plaza, enhancing comfort and usability for visitors.
This project illustrates how proactive design, and expert collaboration can effectively address environmental challenges, resulting in a more comfortable and resilient microclimate for users.
