Weathered Lines

Cindy Ma and Mahara Falif

University of Waterloo

Faculty Sponsor

Terri Meyer Boake

Situated alongside the Don River and facing the historic East Don Trestle, Weathered Lines is an observation platform that invites visitors to rise through layers of industrial and natural heritage. Fabricated from weathered steel, the structure blends into the ravine’s natural textures while referencing the industrial legacy that once scarred – and now quietly defines – the valley. The project draws on the complex history of the Don River watershed; once a thriving ecological corridor, then neglected by rapid urbanization and industrial expansion, the Don has seen restoration efforts by citizens, advocacy groups, and public agencies that have gradually brought life back to the river. Set within the East Don Trail system, the platform reflects on this renewal. The act of ascent reframes the East Don Trestle within the natural context, reflecting upon Toronto’s industrial legacy. Visitors ascend through exposed steel beams that frame curated views: toward the river, representing natural heritage, and toward the rail bridge, honouring cultural history. Weathered Lines acts as a landmark, inviting visitors to simultaneously look out over the natural landscape, look back on its history, and look toward its future.