SeferianDesign

Author: Vince SDG

  • Binbrook Library

    Binbrook Library

    Binbrook, ON.

    INSTITUTIONAL  //  RECREATIONAL  

    The form and interior of this new community library branch were designed to pay homage to the agricultural history of Binbrook. Responding to its past and present vernacular culture, the building takes on the form of two stylized barn structures connected by a glass box. Special attention was paid to the volume of the barns to ensure they don’t overwhelm the neighbouring buildings. Respecting the library as a critical component of the community, the design provides a strong relationship between building and street. Transparent views throughout the interior promote opportunities for connection to public spaces designed to support social interaction.

    The library facilities include quiet study rooms, computer labs, and multi-use spaces that respond to evolving user needs.  Outdoor facilities include a central courtyard space for reading, author reading, and events. With a flat smoothness underfoot, the drama happens above. The exterior shape of the building lends itself to an undulating ceiling-scape, allowing the visitor to experience the rhythm of compression and expansion while walking through a simple open floor space. Flat ceilings with white oak slats and acoustic lining provide warmth and human scale while the soaring white vaulted ceilings lift the spirit. The neutral and minimalistic interior finishes and colours are contrasted by 2 murals that are collages of historic photos from the local archives.

    Photo credit: Invizij Architects

  • Appleby College
















    Appleby College

    Oakville, ON.

    PRIVATE INSTITUTIONAL  //  RECREATIONAL  //  SHORELINE RESTORATION 

    SDG was retained by Appleby College as part of a multi-disciplinary team to prepare a Master Campus Plan and Athletic/Performing Arts Complex Master Plan.  The College envisioned a master campus planning exercise that targeted issues related to the new building complex, along with other potential campus changes and long-term projects. The scope of work included a functional program analysis, site assessment, schematic design, phasing options, and cost estimates for the new building space and related reconfigured spaces. The master plan included sustainable landscape initiatives, plantings, and provisions for food production and urban agriculture. The implementation plan will include educational opportunities for students, staff, and potentially the community to become involved in the construction process.

    SDG along with a multi-disciplinary team worked together to stabilize the Appleby College shoreline while maintaining its natural appearance as much as possible. The scope of work encompasses the entire length of the Appleby College shoreline (500m), from the west property line to the east property line as well as the proposed enhancements to Lower McCraney Creek and groyne and breakwater structures. The riparian plantings along McCraney Creek have been specifically designed to enhance aquatic habit conditions by enhancing riparian functions such as overhanging cover, shading, detritus influx, woody instream cover production and bank stabilization. Additionally, plantings are being proposed in the three-metre-wide no-mow zone to mitigate surface erosion and stabilize the banks. The planting for the shoreline restoration will be comprised of deciduous tree species, deciduous shrubs and live stakes. The native seed mixes will include perennials and grasses to further enhance biodiversity and attract pollinators.  A Halton Custom Meadow seed mixture will be used in the no-mow zone, and a bank seed mixture will be used along the restoration slopes. Only native plant species have been used in the restoration plans. Plant species and sizes have been selected to increase the structure and diversity of the shoreline vegetation communities. Generally, plantings are arranged in clusters to create nuclei that, through the process of succession, will expand, colonize and modify the landscape naturally. The riparian corridor and shoreline experienced significant erosion which created steep slopes that became unsafe to students, staff and users of Appleby College. Restoring aquatic habitat, including American Eel, was critical in the design. Approvals included Conservation Halton, Transportation Canada, DFO, and MNRF. The project includes a four-year monitoring as part of the DFO permit. The project has been published in Landscape Architecture Magazine (publication of the American Society of Landscape Architects) and Landscape Pays ages (publication of the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects).

    SDG was retained by Appleby College to undertake some feasibility studies on the installation of an outdoor running track in the campus. Concurrently, SDG coordinated with RK and Associates. The renovation of the artificial turf field that is used all year long. As a dynamic institution, Appleby College is always looking for opportunities to develop their campus and provide the students with upgraded facilities. SDG has extensively explored different location options for a track on site and alternatives to official size and shape tracks and is currently moving into material selection and details.

  • Toronto French School










































    Toronto French School

    Toronto + Mississauga, ON.

    ACADEMIC  //  RECREATIONAL DESIGN  //  PARKS 

    Toronto French School and SDG have a longstanding relationship that we cherish. We have been provided with the many opportunities to enrich and develop their ideas into reality on their campuses. The below is a collection of each project we have completed for the school.

    In 2015, TFS retained SDG to develop a master plan for the Mississauga campus. By the end of 2015, the first phase of this major project was concluded with the construction of a play yard designed for kindergarten students. An opportunity to develop within the adjacent City property known as Petrescue Park was identified and offered an interesting perspective for the development of this open space. The main goal was to provide an activity, eco-friendly, naturalized landscaped space where community and students can safely play and experiment. The method is to balance fields and open space with variations in topography, ground surface and vegetation, combining built and natural features with a wide range of elements to provide different looks, sensory experiences and recreational opportunities. While children are the target for active and educational recreation, the programming includes uses for other age groups as well. The City of Mississauga embraced this vision and is currently assisting SDG in providing a place where the well-being is boosted by increased interaction with nature.

    In 2018, SDG was retained by TFS to design and oversee the construction of an outdoor, nature-themed playground for their Junior School in Toronto. This playground is special, nestled in the nook of the TRCA lands and a Natural Ravine System, it works to bring children into the forest to play while maintaining safety from all angles.

    In 2022, SDG was retained directly by TFS to develop a design for an entry plaza for their Mississauga campus. Through schematic design to contract administration, SDG provided their services to enrich the principal entrance of the school with a classy plaza space. Materials of concrete, clay red permeable pavers, and a pollinator palette of plants, the corner of Merideth Avenue has been enlivened by this new space.

    In 2023, SDG was retained by CS&P Architects to provide landscape architectural services for two separate TFS developments. One development occurring on their Mississauga campus, which includes a large building addition to house a brand-new gymnasium, classrooms and maker space. The second development taking place on the TFS Toronto campus includes a large Performing Arts Centre addition to their existing senior school. Both projects are currently in development, planning to conclude construction in the Summer of 2026.

  • Hamilton Trails Master Plan

    Hamilton Trails Master Plan

    Hamilton, ON.

    COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING  //  TRAIL DEVELOPMENT  //  RECREATIONAL DESIGN  

    SDG was retained in 2015 to assist the City of Hamilton in undertaking a comprehensive review and update of their Recreational Trails Master Plan document and its proposed trail initiatives for all 15 city wards. Public feedback was a significant component of this process, and our team facilitated six (6) public consultation events throughout the spring, summer, and fall of 2015.

    The existing trail network within the city has provided a strong fabric of multi-use trails that complement the on-road routes identified in the City’s Transportation Master Plan.  The planning process for new trail initiatives included a thorough review of the existing network and in total over 86 kilometers of new trails have been proposed.  Proposed initiatives are to connect and provide users access to parks, schools, planned neighbourhoods, conservation areas, the waterfront, transit stations, the escarpment, and work together with existing trails and trail initiatives to alleviate gaps within the network. 

    The purpose of the Trails Master Plan update was to:

    • Connect significant environmental, cultural features and parks while preserving their natural heritage values and ecological functions enhancing their public appreciation.
    • Connect major urban and rural land uses by providing multi-purpose trails and integrate the system with on-street cycling and sidewalk systems
    • Connect Hamilton’s trail system to larger Provincial trail systems and those operated by adjoining Municipalities and Counties.
    • Provide a safe cycling and pedestrian environment
    • Promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles
    • Interconnect the trail system with other trail systems

    To discover the completed document, follow the link here: City of Hamilton Trails Master Plan

  • East Chapel Parkette

    East Chapel Parkette

    Hamilton, ON.

    RECREATION  //  COMMUNITY DESIGN

    Landscape Ontario | Award of Excellence

    The City of Hamilton retained SDG for the contract administration of East Chapel Parkette.  The site included tree preservation, signage, pathways, plantings, and a unique play structure.  The mature trees surrounding this parkette inspired the City’s request for a woodland theme for this neighbourhood play space. Research on local owls led to the selection of the eastern screech owl as the inspiration for the main climbing/slide feature. The play space is animated by a food-chain story whereby the owl is staring down at some scampering mice. The mice, eyeing up the acorns, are oblivious to the hovering owl. Who will eat what first?  Climbing posts with steppers, fallen logs, boulders and a basket swing round out additional elements for play.

    Photo credit: Earthscape Play

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  • Carter Park

    Carter Park

    Hamilton, ON.

    RECREATION  //  COMMUNITY DESIGN

    The City of Hamilton retained SDG to assist with the contract administration of three municipal parks. Carter Park in downtown Hamilton was the largest of the three parks featuring new asphalt pathways, lighting, signage, site furnishings (benches, water fountain, trash receptacles), games tables, basketball court, gazebo, stone entry columns, decorative fencing, and plantings

  • Halton Millennium Garden

    Halton Regional Centre & Millennium Garden

    Oakville, ON.

    GARDEN DESIGN  //  INSTITUTIONAL  // RECREATIONAL DESIGN  

    Halton Region selected the landscape architectural design services of SDG to design its feature garden in Oakville.  The site is home to the Ontario Provincial Police and Halton Region.  SDG’s goal was to develop a ceremonial garden for Halton Region which worked within the narrow confines of the existing property while maintaining the programming needs of the Region. Central to the garden is its water feature. The prototype for this feature was drawn from the Bronte Creek which is located directly adjacent to the site. The two-tier waterfall can be viewed from inside the council chambers and houses a bog garden. The waterfall can be seen from Bronte Road and is the location of the new Halton Region signage.

  • Fort Erie Gateway

    Fort Erie Gateway

    Fort Erie, ON.

    PLACEMAKING  //  COMMUNITY DESIGN

    The Town of Fort Erie retained SDG to create conceptual designs for gateway signs along the QEW and at the border crossing. The design process involved identifying several key locations with potential for signage opportunities. Each design was crafted to showcase the area’s significant characteristics.

  • Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB)

    Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB)

    Dufferin-Peel Region

    INSTITUTIONAL //  PLAY AND PARK DESIGN  //  KINDERGARTEN PLAYGROUND

    Landscape Ontario | Award of Excellence (Phase 1) 

    Landscape Ontario | Award of Excellence (Phase 2) 

    Landscape Ontario | Award of Excellence (Phase 3) 

    SDG was retained by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board to design and oversee construction administration for over 100 schools that were selected to have their early learning outdoor childcare spaces renovated. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is one of the largest and most diverse districts in Ontario, operating 149 Elementary and Secondary Catholic schools throughout Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon and Orangeville.

  • Waterdown Skate Loop






















    Waterdown Skate Loop

    Waterdown, ON.

    RECREATION  //  COMMUNITY DESIGN

    City of Hamilton Award of Merit | Small Project: Renovation Institutional Category | 2016

    In 2014, Seferian Design Group was retained by the City of Hamilton to provide landscape architectural design services for the new skating loop in Waterdown Memorial Park. Our team worked collaboratively with the City and the consulting team to develop a landscape design that: implemented a consistent municipal design and technical standard; encouraged a high standard of landscape design; ensured safe and efficient pedestrian access, connections, and circulation; and created appropriate relationships and transitions between built form and public space.

    Architectural photos credited to Toms + McNally Architects

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