The first seven of a new generation of 20 highway service stations were unveiled last week, all built to LEED Silver environmental standards.
"We had an original idea and came up with a strong, consistent brand," says lead architect Les Klein, of Toronto's
Quadrangle, "and we were able to follow through with that with no difficulties whatsoever."
Built by
EllisDon and operated by
Host Kilmer Service Centres Inc. along the 400 and 401, in addition to being aesthetically consistent, the stations were designed to overcome the anonymity and placelessness highway rest stops often have, incorporating various digital media to display and promote local images and events.
The station's bathrooms use 40% less water than average, and are built with air-tight envelopes to ensure their high-efficiency insulation is able to minimize both heating and cooling requirements.
The stations are also universally accessible, with signage designed by Toronto's
Bruce Mau Design.
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Les Klein
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