Themes of water and movement appear in wall graphics throughout the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC)
Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre
Visual expression in placemaking can stimulate redevelopment, identity programs and—at the new aquatic centre built for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games at the University of Toronto’s Scarborough Campus—high-profile photo opportunities.
Norr Architects was selected to design the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC), which includes the aquatic facility and a field house, and Entro became involved with developing the wayfinding system. In addition to directional signs, an opportunity was found to express the theme of water and movement in wall graphics. Specifically, the graphics formed a large backdrop behind the diving towers and, thus, were displayed prominently on TV during the games’ swimming and diving competitions.
The signage system, meanwhile, included pylons with offset panels, referencing the shifting planes of Norr’s architectural design. All signs were manufactured and installed by Gregory Signs & Engraving of Vaughan, Ont.
Contributing to reorientation
Places change, sometimes rapidly, but outside cultural, economic or political transformations can also destroy an existing sense of place and belonging. Indeed, it is all the more difficult to maintain a sense of place in a postmodern society where change seems to be the only constant.
Nevertheless, many recent efforts to restore identity and a sense of belonging—whether within workplaces or communities—have served as strong examples of ‘reorientation’ in today’s society. If sign designers and fabricators can assist in the identification of places, memorable storytelling and experiential engagement, then they can make a significant contribution well beyond the sign panel.
Udo Schliemann is principal creative director at Entro Communications, an environmental graphic design (EGD) firm based in Toronto. For more information, contact him via e-mail at udo@entro.com.
