The story behind our designs

Jane-Finch is known to those who call it home by the infrastructure that shapes daily life.

The buildings featured in this year’s collection reflect the physical spaces where the community lives, passes through and gathers — our homes, workplaces, schools and shared hubs, including the spaces where the Jane/Finch Centre exists and serves residents every day. These structures are more than backdrops; they are cultural landmarks that root people in this neighbourhood and make Jane-Finch instantly recognizable within Toronto.

The bridge in this design is inspired by the pedestrian bridge over Driftwood Avenue — a walkway that has carried generations of residents on their way to grade school, high school and York University. Over decades, it has become a point of orientation, memory and connection. The same is true for the glass dome at Yorkgate Mall, the familiar signage that once marked the Jane-Finch Mall, and the high-rises that define both north and south Jane Street. These elements of local architecture shape how people move, how they see their surroundings and how they understand home.

The bridge also represents how Jane-Finch is linked to the wider city — connecting neighbours, cultures, generations and lived experiences across both physical and historical boundaries.

Together, these designs capture a central theme: 50 years in Jane-Finch — a love letter to our community.

Designed by artists Chin and Moose.