Cumulus is excited to announce that we, along with our long-time partners - UK-based Medical Architecture, have been asked to join Safehaven on their journey to redevelop their Bloor Street site in Toronto.

Safehaven is a vital institution in the GTA which has provided residential and respite care to individuals of all ages with medical complexities and developmental disabilities for over three decades. The new Bloor facility will serve as a state-of-the art hub in the heart of Toronto. Safehaven’s goal is to create a facility to enable the development of a thriving and robust community for those with medical complexities such that they may live to their fullest potential.

In Toronto, like many cities around the world, a major gap in care exists for those who require complex medical care as they “age out” of youth-funded programs when they turn 18. Safehaven’s approach ensures a continuity of care exists for those in need from youth through adulthood, while also enabling pathways for vulnerable individuals to continue accessing dignity-affirming programming that supports inclusion.

A design challenge to ensure success of the new facility will be the enablement of a complete society model of care. It will require an array of integrated programming – such as medical and respite space, transitional care space for clients who are not quite ready to go home after lengthy hospital stays – alongside integrated supportive and affordable housing options for vulnerable community members. The project will also include mixed-use space for Safehaven to expand outreach and partnership development.

“We greatly admire the vision that Safehaven has shared with us, there are no built precedents in Canada for the innovative programming and array of residential services they are contemplating. Their Strategic Plan naturally aligns with our approach to design for wellbeing and personal growth. Seldom do architects have the chance to work with such a motivated and passionate client. We are honoured that Safehaven has asked Cumulus and Medical Architecture to bring our collective expertise to the creation of an inclusive and supportive environment which will allow vulnerable individuals to live life to the fullest potential,” said Patsy Poulin, Principal at Cumulus Architects and Lianne Knotts, Director at Medical Architecture in a joint statement.

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Photo: Leadership teams from Cumulus, Medical Architecture, and Safehaven meet at Cumulus’ Toronto studio to kick off the Bloor Street Redevelopment project.