OSC: TELUSCAPE Exploration Plaza
Overview
TELUSCAPE Exploration Plaza is the radical transformation of the main entrance of the Ontario Science Centre. This outdoor venue integrates art and technology interactive installations with a wetland park.
Details
- Client
- Ontario Science Center
- Project
- TELUSCAPE Exploration Plaza
- Size
- 6,600 sq. ft.
- Scope
- Exhibit Design - Science
- Location
- Toronto, ON, CA
- Year Completed
- 2006
The
Goal
The Ontario Science Centre asked R&P and EDA Collaborative landscape architects to redevelop its main entrance and Centennial Fountain into an exciting interactive outdoor experience and connect the Science Centre to the Don Valley and the densely populated urban community in the immediate area.
The
Design
The TELUSCAPE Exploration Plaza is not just a park, it is the welcome experience of the OSC, an exciting and free-of-charge outdoor landscape which includes native plants, a wetland walkway, interactive experiences, installation art, and an outdoor forum.
At the heart of the Plaza is the FUNtain, a spectacular interactive sound sculpture created by Toronto artist Steve Mann. FUNtain functions like a musical instrument using water; it is played like a flute as visitors block various holes to create different notes. A 60 square metre wetland pond is surrounded by a naturalized area planted with native grasses and wetland species. Fiber optic reeds are interspersed, with artful and light pattern emitting metal trees whose solar power provides energy to the Plaza. TELUSCAPE Forum, a program and event space, has been carved out of the landscape and shaped by a grassy hill with seating for over 350. The Forum includes Climbing Spheres, a set of three large stone spheres sized for children to climb and play. Water Maze invites visitors to navigate the maze without getting wet. One-metre-high water- jet walls shoot up in changing patterns, encouraging participants to stop, observe and plan a dry route through the maze.
As an interactive discovery space and learning landscape, the Plaza is immersive, interactive, engaging and delightful.
