1
Kryton International Inc. 1645 East Kent Avenue, Vancouver BC, Canada V5P 2S8 | tel 1.604.324.8280 | fax 1.604.324.8899 | toll free 1.800.267.8280 | web kryton.com
Kryton, Krystol and KIM are trademarks of Kryton International Inc. © 2012
CASE STUDY
Sherbourne Common Water Feature Toronto, Canada (2010)
BACKGROUNDSherbourne Common was constructed in 2010 to revitalize the Toronto Waterfront. It revitalized a former
industrial area to a much needed public park on the shores of Lake Ontario. The park is the first in
Canada to integrate a neighborhood-wide storm water treatment facility into its design.
There is a concrete water channel that spans the length of the one and a half hectare long park that
was finished with a light sandblasting on all exposed surfaces. The bottom of the channel is clad in a
grey, white and black mosaic pattern based on an abstraction of sparkling water. There are numerous
water features and fountains throughout the park.
SOLUTIONConcrete is porous, so the team knew they needed to waterproof the concrete to prevent leaks and
contamination. In addition, because the channel would be filled with water year-round, and Toronto
is known for its warm summers and icy winters, the concrete needed to be able to withstand freeze-
thaw cycles. The walls and slab of the channel needed the best protection available to ensure a
watertight seal. The design team wanted the fountains to have an architectural concrete finish so a
traditional waterproofing membrane made of unsightly black PVC would not be a good fit. The team
selected Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) waterproofing admixture for KIM’s ability to self-
seal hairline cracks, stand-up to Toronto's weather and provide a permanent barrier to water.
The contractor, UCC won the Ontario Concrete Awards for Product Innovation and Architectural
Hardscape for their work on Sherbourne Common in 2011.
OWNER: Waterfront Toronto
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT:Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg
CONTRACTOR: UCC Group
READY-MIX: Innocon
DISTRIBUTOR: Form & Build Supply Inc.
PRODUCTS: Learn more at kryton.com Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM®)
The park's long water channel. One of the unique water features at Sherbourne Commons.