Winning the commission to design the administrative centre for the City of Scarborough (amalgamated into the City of Toronto in 1998), on the eastern outskirts of the city, and the Scarborough Board of Education became an opportunity to explore the meaning of democracy at the municipal level and to celebrate its virtues with architectural form.

Combining the two separate bodies into one building was economical for both capital and life-cycle costs, but it was also symbolic. The building is organized around an open central public gathering space, placing the citizens at its centre. Above, open offices overlook the central space. Below and fully visible to the public is the Meeting Hall where elected politicians balance their roles as leaders and servants.

Since it's opening in 1973, the Scarborough Civic Centre has remained a lively meeting place for politicians, municipal staff, tourists, musicians, members of wedding parties, and local visitors, all partaking in the life of the city. Our work with Scarborough continued with the preparation of studies and plans that helped Scarborough make the transition from suburb to urban centre.