On October 5, 2023, Vincent Fracchioni accepted an Award of Merit from the City of Brampton 2023 Urban Design Awards [1] on behalf of his student group for their fourth-year studio project, "The Grove." Brampton has a vision to completely redevelop Steeles Avenue and Hurontario Street by 2040, turning it into a transit and community hub. 

In fall 2022, instructors Brendan Stewart and Zannah Matson challenged Guelph's BLA Class of 2023 to develop the landscape around this planned development. 

The Grove was the result of many students' contributions, led by Vincent, Timothy Edwards, Emma Cervinka, Lilian Burgess and Hillary Cudmore. The concept is a system of public spaces that meet the various needs of a growing, diverse neighbourhood. It provides safe and welcoming spaces to play, eat, share culture and enjoy nature, all while bolstering the ecologies of the area. 

Image: Vincent Fracchioni, receiving Award of Merit on behalf of his student team from Michael Palleschi, Brampton Regional Councillor.

The concept of a "grove" of Bur Oaks, each one strong and independent but also interconnected as a whole, both represents the idea of the project and is brought to life through small design choices such as leaf imprints in sidewalks and acorn-shaped lanterns; it also represents the elements of the strong community this design would help foster. 

Congratulations to the BLA team!