A Place to be:
The Living Room
Location
Transit Stops, Toronto, Canada
Year
2024
Category
Transit Pedestrian Realm
Project Type
Academics,
Urban Design Option Studio (M.UD)
Project Classification
Design + Research
Guide
Samantha Eby, Zahra Ebrahim
Contribution
Anurag Panda, Rajvi Modi
Imagine a bus stop that feels as welcoming as your living room.
This project redefines the dull, conventional stop into a vibrant hub for connection and community. Public transit shouldn’t feel neglected; it should invite genuine interaction.
Let’s demand more from our shared spaces and create environments where everyone feels at home.
Why?
In living rooms, feelings vary but often revolve around comfort, warmth, connection, calmness, creativity, and security.
These emotions stem from factors like design, ambiance, and personal preferences.
Point of Intervention
Design Principles with associated moments
1. Pause for Comfort
Like a cozy living room, public spaces should invite people to pause—offering comfort, shade, and a moment of calm in the city.
Satisfied
Amused
Exhausted
2. Invisible Boundaries
Without walls, small design cues like seating or paving can shape how we use space—organizing it naturally and intuitively.
Acceptance
Withdrawn
Shy
3. Anchor
Just like a living room shifts through the day, public spaces should adapt—supporting quiet moments, gatherings, and everything in between.
Hopeful
Awe
Delighted
4. Flexibility
Every space needs a heart—whether it’s a tree, a bench, or artwork—to bring people together and give the place meaning.
Happy
Serene
Curious
Emotions felt around these moments
Associated living room moment
Spadina Dupont Intersection
Site Composition
Activities in the vicinity
Bus Movement
Figure-Ground Analysis
TTC stations that need improvement
TTC stations can feel stressful and unwelcoming due to crowding, poor maintenance, confusing layouts, and limited accessibility. As urban designers, this highlights the need for transit spaces that are not just functional, but also comfortable, safe, and easy to navigate.
Downsview TTC-GO Station
Encroached streets
Site Composition
Activities in the vicinity
Bus Movement
Figure-Ground Analysis
Site 1 : Spadina-Dupont TTC Stop
Spadina-Dupont station may feel bare right now, but it has real potential to become something more. With a few thoughtful touches—like cozy seating, greenery, and local art—it could feel less like a stop and more like a shared living room. A place where people don’t just wait, but relax, connect, and feel part of the city around them.
N
Axonometric View of the living room
Elements:
Bus Stop
Leaning wall + Conventional Heater
Position
Existing Bus Stop
Principles Achieved
Pause for Comfort + Invisible Boundaries + Anchor + Flexibility
Piano Tiles Position
Threshold Like Entry/Exit
Design Principles Achieved
Pause for Comfort + Anchor
Tic-Tac-Toe
Position
Along the pathway edges
Principles Achieved
Anchor + Invisible Boundaries + Flexibility
Accessibility
Adults, kids
Site 2 : Downsview TTC-GO Station
Disconnection at Downsview TTC station often stems from confusing layouts, limited pathways, and a lack of nearby amenities, making navigation difficult. Thoughtful improvements—like clearer signage and better integration with the surroundings—can create a more welcoming, inclusive experience for commuters.
N
Elements:
Swings with windchimes Position
Along the pathway edges
Principles Achieved
Pause for Comfort + Invisible Boundaries + Anchor
Accessibility
Adults, kids
Tic-Tac-Toe
Position
Along the pathway edges
Principles Achieved
Anchor + Invisible Boundaries + Flexibility
Accessibility
Adults, kids
Vertical Section through the site
Patio Heater Position
Along the pathway edges
Principles Achieved
Pause for Comfort + Invisible Boundaries + Anchor
Accessibility
Adults, kids
