A GO Transit station in Ontario is the proud recipient of an international architecture award, but people are hitting back, claiming the station and its massive parking garage are not worthy of the honor.
The Bloomington GO Station won the International 2023 Architecture MasterPrize Award. Built in 2021, the station was recognized for its minimal environmental impact – despite having a huge three-story parking garage with space for 1,000 cars.
#BloomingtonGO Station receives the International 2023 Architecture MasterPrize Award! 🎉 Opened in 2021, this hub fits seamlessly into a protected wetland and features designs with minimal ecological impact and preservation of the surrounding natural heritage.
— GO Expansion (@GOExpansion) March 6, 2024
“The Bloomington GO Station mobility hub design responds to its location in a provincially protected wetland by integrating the station and bus loops into the interior of a bifurcated parking structure,” the awards page states.
The site further claims, “This bold design allows for a minimal environmental footprint while maximizing access to expanded regional rail and bus service,” and calls the station “a sculptural, striking building.”
However, people were quick to call out a massive parking garage, winning praise for its “minimal environmental impact.”
A park-and-ride mega garage in the middle of farmland and wetlands has minimal environmental impact??? Compared to what kind of coal mine? https://t.co/YGh6TZvrGM
— Khalil Heron (@HeronKhalil) March 6, 2024
“This parking garage fits seamlessly into the surrounding highways,” jokes one commenter on X.
Are minimal ecological impacts and preservation of the natural heritage now an issue?
*adds a bio-trough to the multi-story parking garage*
“Apparently integrates into a protected wetland”😍😍 https://t.co/KhtHZjA3AE pic.twitter.com/2XLi2UTfKE
— Rodney (@_ChanFace) March 7, 2024
Some people now call this behemoth “The Garage Mahal”!
A recent visitor to the station said: “When I took the train to this award-winning car park, it took me over an hour to walk to the nearest bus stop and return home.”
It's a PARKING GARAGE https://t.co/qQ8PoNReUF
– onett 🚏🇵🇸 (@onett64) March 7, 2024
Globe and Mail architecture critic Alex Bozikovic responded to GO's announcement simply with a screaming emoji commenting on the award.
“An award-winning car park,” reads another reply, adding: “Yeah, just as disappointing if I say it out loud.”