The York School Center for Wellness

Farrow Partners has designed the new wellness centre for the middle and high school at The York School. The independent school is located in the heart of Toronto and was the first school in Canada accredited to offer International Baccalaureate. Farrow’s design explores how the The York School Centre for Wellness can promote the idea of holistic health and wellbeing of students and create enriched environment that not only flourishes the physical aspects of the space but, also nourishes the mind that will enrich the overall experience of the space. 

The design explores the ‘purpose’ of the center and aims to transform it into a performance enhanced, culturally and socially inclusive space for students and facilitators. The design includes the creation of a cozy family room with a fireplace, collaborative space, new meeting rooms, offices and a refreshment counter. 

The ceiling of the Centre for Wellness is composed of 140 Douglas fir beams, each with different radiuses, creating a rippling effect that evokes the sensation of being under a large tree canopy on a summer day. The scale and proximity of the ceiling establishes a relationship between the mind, the concept of embreathment, and the surrounding environment, through and with the body.

The gentle, flowing rhythms of the beams stimulate our recollection and sensory awareness, allowing us to consciously absorb our surroundings, yet also prompting us to turn our awareness away from our external surroundings and toward our inner being. This is an example of “unplugged” architecture, whose subtle composition and rhythmic ceiling encourage us to listen to our inner voice, breathing, and heartbeat. It allows for reflection, and is therefore calming and replenishing, while simultaneously creating a sense of awakening.