Hamilton WoodGate

WoodGate is both a visionary mass timber innovation and public art architecture project by DS Studio, poised to become an iconic fixture at the intersection of King William and James Street in Hamilton, Ontario. A landmark urban design installation in Hamilton, it is more than just art; it’s an embodiment of the city's vibrant public life, thoughtfully designed to enhance the urban experience through an architecture meets public art approach, blending functionality, aesthetics, and innovation.

Crafted from Douglas Fir Glulam and locally made in Canada, Woodgate stands as a testament to the enduring beauty and strength of timber. Its design is anchored by a steel base, where the sculpture seamlessly integrates a retractable, counterbalanced gate arm – a subtle, yet essential, feature designed to close the street for pedestrian festivals and events. This, a functional sculpture for cities, allows the street to transform without compromising the openness of public space, a principle DS Studio holds dear.

This spatial intervention in the urban realm serves a triple function: WoodGate is a destination, a landmark, and a public amenity. It offers soft, ambient lighting in the evening, enhancing atmosphere and safety while maintaining a barrier-free environment. The hidden gate arm, carefully concealed within the belly of the structure, exemplifies DS Studio’s commitment to protecting the integrity of public space.

Beyond its practical functions, WoodGate creates a tactile urban design experience, featuring an inviting seating bench and an integrated planter that encourage pause, rest, and connection. It is playful architecture for civic spaces, where pedestrians can gather and interact with their surroundings.

With an artistic approach to both housing typologies and public space, DS Studio – a firm recognized for reimagining cities through architecture as sculpture in Canada – designed WoodGate with a deep respect for Hamilton’s vision and the community's needs. DS Studio’s collaborative ethos celebrates how thoughtful design can shape inclusive, engaging, and beautiful environments, enhancing the public realm in Ontario and beyond.