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CASE STUDY

Sherbourne Common Water Feature Toronto, Canada (2010)

BACKGROUNDSherbourne Common was constructed in 2010 to revitalize the Toronto Waterfront. It revitalized a former

industrial area to a much needed public park on the shores of Lake Ontario. The park is the first in

Canada to integrate a neighborhood-wide storm water treatment facility into its design.

There is a concrete water channel that spans the length of the one and a half hectare long park that

was finished with a light sandblasting on all exposed surfaces. The bottom of the channel is clad in a

grey, white and black mosaic pattern based on an abstraction of sparkling water. There are numerous

water features and fountains throughout the park.

SOLUTIONConcrete is porous, so the team knew they needed to waterproof the concrete to prevent leaks and

contamination. In addition, because the channel would be filled with water year-round, and Toronto

is known for its warm summers and icy winters, the concrete needed to be able to withstand freeze-

thaw cycles. The walls and slab of the channel needed the best protection available to ensure a

watertight seal. The design team wanted the fountains to have an architectural concrete finish so a

traditional waterproofing membrane made of unsightly black PVC would not be a good fit. The team

selected Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) waterproofing admixture for KIM’s ability to self-

seal hairline cracks, stand-up to Toronto's weather and provide a permanent barrier to water.

The contractor, UCC won the Ontario Concrete Awards for Product Innovation and Architectural

Hardscape for their work on Sherbourne Common in 2011.

OWNER: Waterfront Toronto

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg

CONTRACTOR: UCC Group

READY-MIX: Innocon

DISTRIBUTOR: Form & Build Supply Inc.

PRODUCTS: Learn more at kryton.com Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM®)

The park's long water channel. One of the unique water features at Sherbourne Commons.