Cara Chellew
@carachellew.bsky.social
PhD Candidate in Urban Planning, Policy & Design at McGill University | Public Space | Night Studies #defensiveTO
Pinned
Cara Chellew
@carachellew.bsky.social
· Jul 8
New Exhibition Flush with Public Washroom Ideas - Spacing Toronto
Modular toilets inspired by mushrooms? A place to go where you can also grab an espresso? Multicolour toilets that become landmarks in your neighbourhood? We recently asked designers and creative peop...
spacing.ca
After 6 years leading the Toronto Public Space Committee, I'm incredibly proud of the work we've accomplished as a group of volunteers.
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
After 6 yrs, I’m stepping away from my coordinator role with the @torontopublicspace.bsky.social I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey.
Real change happens when people come together, care for one another, and refuse to give up on a city that we all share.
Real change happens when people come together, care for one another, and refuse to give up on a city that we all share.
October 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
After 6 yrs, I’m stepping away from my coordinator role with the @torontopublicspace.bsky.social I want to thank everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey.
Real change happens when people come together, care for one another, and refuse to give up on a city that we all share.
Real change happens when people come together, care for one another, and refuse to give up on a city that we all share.
Reposted by Cara Chellew
In this spot on column, @alexbozikovic.bsky.social cites the "To the Loo!" design competition we co-sponsored. The winning design and runners up will be featured in our next issue. It would be fantastic if they ended up featured in an actual Toronto park.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Is Toronto’s public design in the toilet?
The city’s plan to repair and replace 125 public washrooms is a rushed, one-size-fits-all approach that misses an opportunity to showcase design
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
In this spot on column, @alexbozikovic.bsky.social cites the "To the Loo!" design competition we co-sponsored. The winning design and runners up will be featured in our next issue. It would be fantastic if they ended up featured in an actual Toronto park.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Forget the puns: public toilets matter. Toronto is getting them wrong.
The city could miss a huge opportunity to boost its own design culture.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
The city could miss a huge opportunity to boost its own design culture.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Is Toronto’s public design in the toilet?
The city’s plan to repair and replace 125 public washrooms is a rushed, one-size-fits-all approach that misses an opportunity to showcase design
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 10, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Forget the puns: public toilets matter. Toronto is getting them wrong.
The city could miss a huge opportunity to boost its own design culture.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
The city could miss a huge opportunity to boost its own design culture.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
You can check out a display of the winner + some runners up in the lower commons of 401 Richmond (by the @spacingstore.bsky.social )
August 24, 2025 at 11:28 PM
You can check out a display of the winner + some runners up in the lower commons of 401 Richmond (by the @spacingstore.bsky.social )
Reposted by Cara Chellew
In the Star I wrote about the Toronto Public Space Committee’s public loo design competition. Winners& runners up show far better is possible here.
Shawn Micallef: It’s a basic need. So why isn’t Toronto flush with accessible, well-designed public washrooms?
The winner of a competition to design a better public washroom shows what could be done to public facilities, if the city really wanted to.
www.thestar.com
August 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
In the Star I wrote about the Toronto Public Space Committee’s public loo design competition. Winners& runners up show far better is possible here.
Reposted by Cara Chellew
"Two Hamilton-based architects are the winners of a public toilet design competition that aims to highlight the importance of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable restrooms."
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/loca...
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/loca...
Toronto toilet design challenge winners announced
Two Hamilton-based architects are the winners behind a public toilet design competition that aims to highlight the importance of inclusive and sustainable restrooms.
www.ctvnews.ca
August 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
"Two Hamilton-based architects are the winners of a public toilet design competition that aims to highlight the importance of inclusive, accessible, and sustainable restrooms."
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/loca...
www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/loca...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
"Designers, architects and creative thinkers from Canada and abroad are answering nature’s call. Toronto needs more public washrooms."
Check out Met Radio's coverage of the TO the Loo! Exhibition launch held July 10 at 401 Richmond.
www.frequencynews.ca/news/public-...
Check out Met Radio's coverage of the TO the Loo! Exhibition launch held July 10 at 401 Richmond.
www.frequencynews.ca/news/public-...
Public space advocates push to define a new culture around washrooms
Designers, architects and creative thinkers from Canada and abroad are answering nature’s call. Toronto needs more public washrooms. The Toronto Public Space Committee’s launched the To the Loo!
www.frequencynews.ca
August 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"Designers, architects and creative thinkers from Canada and abroad are answering nature’s call. Toronto needs more public washrooms."
Check out Met Radio's coverage of the TO the Loo! Exhibition launch held July 10 at 401 Richmond.
www.frequencynews.ca/news/public-...
Check out Met Radio's coverage of the TO the Loo! Exhibition launch held July 10 at 401 Richmond.
www.frequencynews.ca/news/public-...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge. We received so many thoughtful and creative submissions.
Check out the winners and selected entries at the TO the Loo! Exhibition running until August 30 at 401 Richmond.
Check out the winners and selected entries at the TO the Loo! Exhibition running until August 30 at 401 Richmond.
July 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A big thank you to everyone who participated in the TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge. We received so many thoughtful and creative submissions.
Check out the winners and selected entries at the TO the Loo! Exhibition running until August 30 at 401 Richmond.
Check out the winners and selected entries at the TO the Loo! Exhibition running until August 30 at 401 Richmond.
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Our TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge winners Alea Reid and Petra Matar from DPAI were featured on CBC's Metro Morning. Have a listen!
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Metro Morning with David Common | Live Radio | CBC Listen
CBC Radio's Metro Morning keeps listeners informed about what's going on in Toronto and offers listeners an optimistic, sometimes humorous view of the world, together with the day's more serious news....
www.cbc.ca
July 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Our TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge winners Alea Reid and Petra Matar from DPAI were featured on CBC's Metro Morning. Have a listen!
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge exhibition from the Toronto Public Space Committe reveals innovative solutions for Toronto. @carachellew.bsky.social and Car Martin discuss the new exhibition flush with public washroom ideas. spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
New Exhibition Flush with Public Washroom Ideas - Spacing Toronto
Modular toilets inspired by mushrooms? A place to go where you can also grab an espresso? Multicolour toilets that become landmarks in your neighbourhood? We recently asked designers and creative peop...
spacing.ca
July 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge exhibition from the Toronto Public Space Committe reveals innovative solutions for Toronto. @carachellew.bsky.social and Car Martin discuss the new exhibition flush with public washroom ideas. spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Please join us for the TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition! It runs from July 11-Aug 30 at 401 Richmond (Peter + Richmond entrance).
Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
New Exhibition Flush with Public Washroom Ideas - Spacing Toronto
Modular toilets inspired by mushrooms? A place to go where you can also grab an espresso? Multicolour toilets that become landmarks in your neighbourhood? We recently asked designers and creative peop...
spacing.ca
July 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Please join us for the TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition! It runs from July 11-Aug 30 at 401 Richmond (Peter + Richmond entrance).
Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
After 6 years leading the Toronto Public Space Committee, I'm incredibly proud of the work we've accomplished as a group of volunteers.
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
New Exhibition Flush with Public Washroom Ideas - Spacing Toronto
Modular toilets inspired by mushrooms? A place to go where you can also grab an espresso? Multicolour toilets that become landmarks in your neighbourhood? We recently asked designers and creative peop...
spacing.ca
July 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
After 6 years leading the Toronto Public Space Committee, I'm incredibly proud of the work we've accomplished as a group of volunteers.
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
The TO the Loo! Toronto Toilet Design Challenge Exhibition runs July 11-August 30 at 401 Richmond. Everyone is welcome!
spacing.ca/toronto/2025...
When you design a space to deter certain users by not providing seating, all season washrooms, and places of shelter and shade, you get hostile and sterile public spaces
#defensiveTO
#defensiveTO
This park just opened a few years ago to much back patting. A challenging site over a parking garage but has to be one of the highest profile landscape design fails. Walked thru on Friday and each time notice more bad details.
Toronto’s finally committed to fix the city’s worst park path
June 30, 2025 at 9:46 PM
When you design a space to deter certain users by not providing seating, all season washrooms, and places of shelter and shade, you get hostile and sterile public spaces
#defensiveTO
#defensiveTO
The most egregious design fail of College Park imo is what is basically a hardscape driveway from the Yonge entrance. Could have been such a well-designed plaza & yet it’s barren and there’s always cars parked in it. Toronto is so afraid of seating.
June 30, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Thrilled to have book chapters included in these fantastic compilations:
Peripheral Centralities edited by Nicolas Phelps, @rkeil.bsky.social and Paul Maginn
Messy Cities edited by @dylanreid.bsky.social @zahraeb.bsky.social Leslie Woo and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
Peripheral Centralities edited by Nicolas Phelps, @rkeil.bsky.social and Paul Maginn
Messy Cities edited by @dylanreid.bsky.social @zahraeb.bsky.social Leslie Woo and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
June 6, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Thrilled to have book chapters included in these fantastic compilations:
Peripheral Centralities edited by Nicolas Phelps, @rkeil.bsky.social and Paul Maginn
Messy Cities edited by @dylanreid.bsky.social @zahraeb.bsky.social Leslie Woo and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
Peripheral Centralities edited by Nicolas Phelps, @rkeil.bsky.social and Paul Maginn
Messy Cities edited by @dylanreid.bsky.social @zahraeb.bsky.social Leslie Woo and @johnlorinc.bsky.social
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Great to see the Globe and Mail highlight the Toronto Public Space Committee's public toilet design contest. We will be featuring the winner in our fall issue.
"Density, in turn, requires great public spaces. Urban parks, squares and waterfront promenades are a sort of backyard for millions of city residents ... they need places to sit, a way to quench their thirst and somewhere to relieve themselves"
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/edit...
Globe editorial: A very different kind of urban leash-free zone
Public toilets, properly maintained, can free city dwellers from the tyranny of the bladder
www.theglobeandmail.com
May 30, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Great to see the Globe and Mail highlight the Toronto Public Space Committee's public toilet design contest. We will be featuring the winner in our fall issue.
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Today marks 5 years since George Floyd was murdered in a bike lane. My practice has launched the BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report. All findings outline challenges & positive experiences reflecting Black people’s public space insights & priorities.
SHARE!!!
torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/u...
SHARE!!!
torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/u...
torontofoundation.ca
May 25, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Today marks 5 years since George Floyd was murdered in a bike lane. My practice has launched the BEING BLACK IN PUBLIC Survey Report. All findings outline challenges & positive experiences reflecting Black people’s public space insights & priorities.
SHARE!!!
torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/u...
SHARE!!!
torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Cara Chellew
💥 We are extending our competition submission deadline to Friday May 30 at 11:59pm EST 💥
Register today for your chance to win cash prizes and have your design featured in @spacing.bsky.social
www.publicspace.ca/competition
Register today for your chance to win cash prizes and have your design featured in @spacing.bsky.social
www.publicspace.ca/competition
TO the Loo! Design Competition
The Toronto Public Space Committee is launching a global design competition to imagine the future of public washrooms. We invite you to propose design solutions for inclusive, innovative public washro...
www.publicspace.ca
May 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
💥 We are extending our competition submission deadline to Friday May 30 at 11:59pm EST 💥
Register today for your chance to win cash prizes and have your design featured in @spacing.bsky.social
www.publicspace.ca/competition
Register today for your chance to win cash prizes and have your design featured in @spacing.bsky.social
www.publicspace.ca/competition
Reposted by Cara Chellew
The Dufferin & Bathurst bus priority lanes are the only way to break the transit death spiral in Toronto. They must happen & the mayor needs to make sure they’re a raging success. Mission critical as future fixes rely on their success. My column this week. Pls read n share.
Shawn Micallef: How this transit plan could finally make ‘Sufferin’ Dufferin’ a thing of the past
There are 'RapidTO' plans to create transit priority lanes on Dufferin as well as Bathurst streets.
www.thestar.com
May 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The Dufferin & Bathurst bus priority lanes are the only way to break the transit death spiral in Toronto. They must happen & the mayor needs to make sure they’re a raging success. Mission critical as future fixes rely on their success. My column this week. Pls read n share.
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Two groups, both claiming to be local residents and businesses, have popped up in opposition for each of the Dufferin and Bathurst transit-only surface routes.
But if both groups claim to be locals, why are their names and the text on their websites almost exactly the same?
But if both groups claim to be locals, why are their names and the text on their websites almost exactly the same?
May 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Two groups, both claiming to be local residents and businesses, have popped up in opposition for each of the Dufferin and Bathurst transit-only surface routes.
But if both groups claim to be locals, why are their names and the text on their websites almost exactly the same?
But if both groups claim to be locals, why are their names and the text on their websites almost exactly the same?
Montevideo (Uruguay) city council approved prohibition of elements of "hostile architecture" on public and private properties that "pose significant risks to the physical integrity of people." #cities
Subrayado(27-03-2025 19:45): Junta de Montevideo aprobó prohibición de elementos de "arquitectura hostil" en predios públicos y privados https://www.subrayado.com.uy/junta-montevideo-aprobo-prohibicion-elementos-arquitectura-hostil-predios-publicos-y-privados-n973048
April 1, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Reposted by Cara Chellew
Exciting news!! @mayoroliviachow.bsky.social is introducing a member's motion at City Council to improve TO's public washroom network.
We need your support! Write in today and let the city know why you care about public washrooms.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
We need your support! Write in today and let the city know why you care about public washrooms.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
March 25, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Exciting news!! @mayoroliviachow.bsky.social is introducing a member's motion at City Council to improve TO's public washroom network.
We need your support! Write in today and let the city know why you care about public washrooms.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
We need your support! Write in today and let the city know why you care about public washrooms.
secure.toronto.ca/council/agen...
I really like this
(from Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition)
(from Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition)
March 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
I really like this
(from Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition)
(from Leslieville Harm Reduction Coalition)
Reposted by Cara Chellew
With just 182 public washrooms throughout the city, Toronto has a “severe” shortage...To remedy the problem, the TPSC recently launched a global design competition called TO the Loo! geared at “(imagining) the future of public washrooms" @thestar.com #PublicSpace
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
Think Toronto can do better with public washrooms? One advocacy group will pay you $1,500 for your design ideas
The Toronto Public Space Committee recently launched a global design competition called “TO the Loo!,” geared at finding new ways to “incorporate public washrooms into the public realm.”
www.thestar.com
March 12, 2025 at 2:52 PM
With just 182 public washrooms throughout the city, Toronto has a “severe” shortage...To remedy the problem, the TPSC recently launched a global design competition called TO the Loo! geared at “(imagining) the future of public washrooms" @thestar.com #PublicSpace
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...
www.thestar.com/news/gta/thi...