A recently completed streetscape project in Yarmouth received praise and recognition at the 2022 National Urban Design Awards. Thirteen projects across Canada — each with a tremendous impact on the surrounding built environment — were selected for an Urban Design Award when the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CLSA), the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) announced the winners of the 2022 National Urban Design Awards.
Fathom Studio of Dartmouth was the recipient of the “Small or Medium Community Urban Design Award – Award of Excellence” for their vision in developing the Yarmouth Main Street Redevelopment Phase 2 Project. The redevelopment project was focused on beautification and creating a more pedestrian-friendly and accessible downtown. The design offers a distinct coastal theme through its features, most notably the unique “lobster car” structures that offer an expression of Yarmouth’s most important local industry. The project was completed in the spring of 2021.
Town of Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood sees the latest streetscape project, as well as all other recent streetscape improvements made in the downtown, as crucial in recreating the heart of this region and generating more foot traffic for downtown businesses.
“This award is exciting news for Fathom Studio and for the Town of Yarmouth. Revitalizing our downtown has been a top priority in recent years, and the team at Fathom has provided our council with wonderful creative vision to make it happen. The latest results of that vision are now on full display on Main Street, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.”
Post from Fathom Studio on Instagram:
“We are incredibly excited to be recognized by the National Urban Design Awards Program for our work on Yarmouth’s Main Street Redevelopment project. So much love and care went into this project by our team, and it means the world to us that it resonates with others. We owe a special thank you to the Town of Yarmouth Staff and Council, and of course, the one-of-a-kind Community who came with us on the journey and supported us in taking risks to change the appearance and experience of their Main Street.
Over the last 15 years, we’ve been privileged to collaborate with the Town on many public-realm improvement projects, including their:
🏛️Downtown Blueprint
🏛️Town Rebrand
🏛️Downtown Business Façade Program
🏛️Wayfinding + Interpretive Signage Program
🏛️the 1st phase of Main Street’s redevelopment
The latest Main Street Redevelopment project is a culmination of all these efforts and a reflection of the Town’s deep commitment to great place making. Thank you again for the honour and recognition. What an incredible way to end our week.”
An excerpt from the RAIC press release:
Small or Medium Community Urban Design Award
Award of Excellence
Yarmouth Main Street Redevelopment Phase 2 (Yarmouth, NS)
Fathom Studio
“This project re-imagines the relationship between people and their ‘Main Street’. The project highlights the town’s unique setting for visitors and the local community in the public realm. The region-specific design language reinforces Yarmouth’s sense of place and creates an unforgettable experience. This project brings to life the community’s needs and aspirations through clever and carefully considered design details. Yarmouth’s Main Street is an example of what other municipalities can do to instill a sense of pride within their community and attract people and business to their region and downtowns.”
Congratulations to the excellent team at Fathom Studio for receiving this very deserving award and for helping guide the Town of Yarmouth with its downtown revitalization.
To read the entirety of the National Urban Design Awards press release, please visit: https://raic.org/raic/canadian-projects-selected-2022-national-urban-design-awards
To learn more about the Yarmouth Main Street Redevelopment Phase 2 project, please visit: https://getinvolvedyarmouth.ca/main-street-redevelopment-phase-iii
