R.C. Harris Treatment Plant

This series captures the R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, a historic landmark that defines Toronto’s waterfront. Known for its striking Art Deco architecture, the building stands out as one of the city’s most unique structures. Despite being a place where people walk their dogs, enjoy picnics, or watch the sunset over Lake Ontario, the plant remains fully operational, supplying roughly 20% of Toronto’s drinking water. As a Toronto-based architectural and landscape photographer, this location offered the opportunity to explore how built and natural environments coexist in the city. I was drawn to the way the structure sits alongside Lake Ontario, rising above the surrounding green space while still feeling integrated into the landscape. In photographing the space, I focused on composition, scale, and atmosphere, capturing how people interact with the environment while the building quietly anchors the scene. These images are part of my ongoing exploration of Blue Spaces in Toronto. Blue Spaces are natural or man-made areas with significant bodies of water. In urban planning and psychology, it has been studied that being near water can enhance mental health, reduce stress, and improve quality of life.