6 years and 6 million visitors per year later, we are proud to share that the final location of the 20 new ONroute Service Centres is now complete. Stretching along the 400 series highways across the province, the centres have become synonymous with road trips of any distance throughout Eastern and Southern Ontario.

Before breaking down the project, a big congratulations and thank you goes out to the project team including client, Host Kilmer Service Centres and project partners, Ellis Don, Halsall Associates, Morrison Herschfield, Hidi Rae Consulting, Halcrow Yolles and Bruce Mau Design.

 

ONroute Service Centres

Design: Delivers three prototype sizes with a family of recognizable components across 20 locations with an unwavering commitment to sustainability, longevity and accessibility.

Context: Developed on remediated brownfield sites across the province, the centres are public space for both travelers and local communities with service and leisure amenities.




Sustainability & Accessibility: All 20 Centres feature several sustainable elements and exceed current accessibility guidelines including 100% purchased green energy, upgraded mechanical systems and energy-efficient lighting and bathroom fixtures; local materials, low-flow and motion activated touchless plumbing fixtures and waterless urinals; fully accessible entrances and washrooms, gently rising curb ramps and visual and textural variations; and atriums, skylights, fritted glazing and strategic overhangs to ensure more than 75% of occupied areas are day lit.

Good Business: The projects leverage the existing footprints of previous service centres while incorporating educational opportunities through design and way finding to inform visitors about sustainability, accessibility and community, all of which are in line with the client’s goals.

Legacy: Hundreds of thousands of people visit the service centres annually and with a 50 year service life, the project and its architecture embodies resilience in response to future changes in environment, transportation and local communities.