Ontario Construction News staff writer
BRAMPTON – The City of Brampton has selected a design concept led by Canadian architecture firm gh3*, in partnership with international landscape architecture company Mandaworks, for the redevelopment of Ken Whillans and Garden Squares.
The winning concept, titled The Flower Squares, was shaped by extensive input from residents, downtown businesses, and community stakeholders. It envisions the two squares as connected yet distinct destinations that reflect Brampton’s floral heritage through landscaping, sculptural architecture, and symbolic motifs, while supporting everyday use, public gatherings, and cultural programming.
Ken Whillans Square, located in front of Brampton City Hall, will become a ceremonial and event space next to Gage Park. Key features include the Shimmer Stage, an integrated digital screen, and landscaped berms that preserve mature trees while creating an informal amphitheatre. Garden Square will continue as a vibrant urban hub, featuring the Rosette Ring, a suspended LED screen forming a new civic landmark, and an updated amphitheatre terrace linking to The Rose, Brampton’s premier performing arts venue. Both squares are designed for year-round flexibility, accommodating public art, markets, and community events, with a focus on accessibility, climate resilience, and sensory engagement through lighting, planting, and infrastructure that celebrates seasonal change.
The design was chosen through a two-phase international design competition conducted in line with Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) guidelines. Public and stakeholder engagement was central to the process. Early feedback helped shape desired amenities, while a second round of engagement—including an open house with more than 100 attendees and an online survey with over 200 responses—contributed to the final selection. Recommendations from a Technical Steering Committee also guided the evaluation.
Construction on Ken Whillans Square is expected to begin this fall. Timing for Garden Square will be coordinated with other downtown projects to minimize disruption, with construction planned in stages.
The redevelopment is part of a broader downtown transformation that includes Main and Queen Streets streetscaping, demolition of city-owned properties at 30–60 Main Street North, and the Interim Strategy for Expansion of Garden Square. The City is investing in inclusive public spaces that reflect Brampton’s identity, support a growing and diverse community, and position downtown as a hub for innovation and economic growth locally, provincially, and nationally.
