Guelph City Hall

The renovation of the Guelph City Hall courtyard transformed an underutilized civic space into a dynamic and flexible environment that supports social interaction and outdoor work zones. Central to the design is the use of customized modular planters that have been used to define the space within and elevate the courtyard’s spatial experience.

Customized modular planters function as a primary architectural element, creating distinct zones for gathering, collaboration, and pause. The modular planter systems have been used as a compositional tool to:

• Establish zones for seating, dining, and informal meetings.
• Frame movement paths without enclosing them.
• Create moments of enclosure and openness within a compact footprint.

Horticulture is a primary visual and experiential driver of the courtyard, with the large-scale planters accommodating seasonal change. This enables a shift in character throughout the year as planting palettes evolve. The City of Guelph’s talented horticulture team informed the planting strategy. Plant species grown in local greenhouses are incorporated and rotated seasonally, linking civic operations with public space design.

Large-scale modular planter configurations accommodate variation in height, depth, and alignment. Strategic planter placement creates flow and contributes to a unified composition within the courtyard area. The flexibility of the Join Modular planter system made it possible to:

• Integrate bench seating directly into planted zones.
• Accommodate services such as lighting and power where needed.
• Support larger planting volumes for shrubs and perennials.

By treating planters as a foundational design element rather than a secondary detail, the Guelph City Hall courtyard achieves a layered outdoor environment. It supports social use, seasonal planting, and long-term durability. The space demonstrates how customized modular planter systems can play a central role in contemporary courtyard design.

Join Modular is a series of connecting planter components that fasten together to create raised planting areas tailored to a specific site plan. The system includes four primary components that behave modularly – join them together to create large planter configurations. From size and colour to finish and detailing, every component is customizable. Include integrated seating, variable angles, curves or cantilever benches to truly bring your vision to life.