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London, Ontario
SHIFT worked with the City of London and the residents of the Old East Village to create a park that feels unmistakably “of the neighbourhood.” Developed through an open and collaborative engagement process, the design emerged from the stories, resourcefulness, and pride of a community known for its creativity and strong sense of identity.
Working within a modest budget, the project embraced what we call a landscape of imperfection, an approach that values authenticity over polish, and ingenuity over extravagance. Materials were reused and repurposed, details simplified to highlight craft, and every gesture shaped by the idea that design excellence can come from constraint.
The resulting park captures the neighbourhood’s friendly ‘front-porch culture,’ offering places to gather, play, and rest. Ecological features such as a rain garden and insect habitat bring nature into the city, while fragments from the former school are integrated as quiet reminders of continuity and memory. Lorne Avenue Park stands as proof that small, community-led projects can achieve depth, generosity, and belonging through care and imagination rather than scale or cost.
Green Brick Award winner - Urban League of London, 2021
Cultural Landscape Award winner - Heritage London Foundation, 2022
Photography credits: Industryous Photography; Mike Barker