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+ Toronto Buddhist Church

This small temple, located on a suburban site near a major Toronto expressway, is a place for quiet contemplation and cultural activities, removed from the hectic activities of daily life.

Intended for a largely Japanese-Canadian congregation, the design makes subtle references to traditional Japanese temple design. The church's warm character is established by the use of materials, landscaping, and light. From the expressway, the temple is distinguished by a rooftop lantern that radiates light during the evening.

For members of the congregation, the arrival sequence heightens the transition from the physical to the spiritual world. From the small entry garden planted with flowering trees, one is drawn through a number of spatial manipulations that compress, release, and redirect. The journey ends at the double-height worship space. Here, windows located high on the walls flood the space with natural light yet eliminate distracting views of the outside world.