The Cornerstone Project Moves Forward
On April 30, the Accessibility Atrium Working Group met with Bob Sims and Luke Rivet of KPMB Architects for the latest design development update. The details are quietly exciting.
The layout of the atrium ramp and stair has been refined—bringing them into better alignment and eliminating wasted space along the parish hall. Small adjustments like these are what distinguish a thoughtful design.
At the west entrance, a guardrail is required on the stairs leading up into the atrium. Rather than a adopting a generic solution, KPMB has drawn on the geometry of the church’s existing windows to shape the bronze pickets around a subtle curve. The space will remain open and transparent, while the railing quietly honours the character of the building it serves.
A materials selection workshop is being planned for late May or early June, bringing the team together in person to make decisions that will carry through into detailed design. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like when architecture moves from vision to reality, this is one of those moments.
A Closer Look at Wind and Snow
One of the less visible but genuinely fascinating aspects of the project: the team has engaged RWDI Inc., a specialist firm in computational wind and snow analysis, to study the microclimate around the new atrium roof. Because the atrium sits between the church and the parish hall—two existing heritage structures with different rooflines—there are complex questions about how snow will accumulate, drift, and load the new structure during a Toronto winter. RWDI’s analysis will give the structural and mechanical engineers the data they need to design with confidence.
As part of the detailed design process, the team is also exploring the possibility of including a basement shell beneath the atrium. The shell itself would not be finished space; it would be a forward-thinking measure to make feasible any future development of the basement if the parish were to pursue additional updates in years to come. Excavating while construction is already underway makes sense, to save costs and disruption in the future. This option is being explored, should our Cornerstone funding allow.
Heritage and the City
On May 1, ERA Architects in conjunction with KPMB, submitted a Heritage Memorandum to the City of Toronto. This document outlines the history of the site and analyzes the heritage impacts and mitigation strategies of the proposed design. It is a formal and significant step: the beginning of the Zoning Review process that will bring the project closer to the building permits needed for construction to begin.
What Comes Next?
The revised project schedule, as of April 30, keeps us on track. Design development continues through June, with a design development cost estimate to follow. Contract documents—the detailed instructions contractors will work from—are targeted for completion by mid-October, with bidding and review to follow. Construction is expected to begin in early December 2026, with substantial completion by December 2027.
We are building on Christ’s cornerstone. And we are grateful for everyone who is building with us.
— The Cornerstone Committee