WIP - Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square

soocoolsim

Hello everyone, I finally got the incentive to start back on a pet project of mine to create Toronto landmarks which I had put on hold since creating my one (and only) Toronto Islands world which included my novice CN Tower. So I'm posting here in case you would like to come along on my journey to create Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square. I'll try to make the architecture as close enough as I can, however the interior will be modified for in-game Sims 3 playability. I'm not sure whether this will become a multi-function rabbit hole or some kind of park... will figure it out by the time I'm done, lol.

So without further ado, here's the progress I've made so far. Comments and suggestions are most welcome

After figuring out the overall layout of the building, the CFE work on the centre dome and the flanking towers began. The dome gave me a lot of grief since it curves both upwards and downwards. In hindsight I should have approached it differently but it's good enough for my purposes so moving on.


The towers were a breeze in comparison with just a little tweaking needed. Switched building to Bridgeport to get more of a city feel and completed the sloping 2-storey ramp - another challenge which I may revisit later on. How I admire those masters of CFE with their perfect curves and mathematical calculations. Ah well, a little free-spirited imperfection is only human


The next session was focused on the green roof garden which I think is a really cool feature of any building that incorporates this environmental benefit. Added in the second ramp and dropped in some placeholder windows while I looked for more reference photos online.


I was thinking to perhaps make this a performance park since this such a cool hangout in RL, however I'm thinking it would be neat for sims to get married at the city hall so I've got a few ideas going on. Added a subway stop for Sims playability, dropped in a few more objects to get a feel for space requirements then decided to call it another night.


So at the next session I decided to rethink using the skating rink which I was considering switching out along with other seasonal activities. Instead I created a pond which (hopefully) will freeze in the winter for skating - more like the real thing. This time I was more careful with the terrain tool when making the arches so the CFE curves are gentler. Had to lose the big crowd area around the stage to make room and created a small shop to represent the skate rental building in RL. Sims will be able to purchase items from the savvy sellers shelves. Messed about using the ITF sculpture to make a ball (which I later deleted). Was trying to figure out if possible to replicate the 'eye' wall within the council chamber but that's a challenge for another day.



My piece de resistance IMHO is the Toronto sign which I had great fun creating... and now this is where I'm currently at. What do you think so far? Any thoughts on how this lot should function?

rosemow

It is great that you are creating sims game versions of Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square!
It is enjoyable reading about and seeing your WIP progress of each session of the build. It is looking very nice! The way you have use CFE looks so very great! The building is reflecting the real life version so very well! You are so creative with the Toronto sign! It looks very great! The water fountains feature looks pretty!
I will be looking forward to seeing updates on your build!

HappySimmer3

I think it looks amazing and I will try to remember to pop in and check it out - I don't come to this section much any more because it's pretty much overrun with 4 stuff now.

I have very fond memories of Toronto Islands (I helped test it) and I recall back then I thought you were a talented builder but you have come really far!

soocoolsim

Aw thank you so much @HappySimmer3 . I've fond memories of that time too. OMG I was such a newbie and was so thankful for the advice from folks like DD and WR and those like you who tested the different versions. I forgot we go that far back. Thanks for the reminder. Those were the days when the Sims 3 forums were hopping. So glad you stopped by today. Hugs

romagi1

This is Fabulous! I had to google it as I've never been there.

Sandraelle

Awesome work so far @soocoolsim, just now seeing this thread. That looks like quite an undertaking, and love the arches you put in and the towers looks amazing. Can't wait to see the end product. :-)

soocoolsim

Thanks a mil @romagi1 and @Sandraelle . RL has been pretty busy however I did manage to chip away a little. Hoping to get more time in game soon and post some WIPs. Wishing you both a great week ahead

soocoolsim

A little setback in that I didn't realize until I found a reference photo that the council chamber was in the centre 'eyeball' so had an interesting time trying to make the CFE work with limited room. Couldn't make the curves any better without ruining the whole structure. Anyway made some progress

City council chambers... where sims can use the podium to get their point of view heard.


Getting further bit by bit...

rosemow

The WIP is continuing to look very nice! You have reflected the City Council Chambers so very well! The podium area looks great! It looks very nice how you have placed the table desks. The exhibition booth looks very nice. Very nice blue colour scheme of the area. It is great that there is a shop in the outdoors square. It looks great! The sculpture and peace garden looks so very pretty! The flowers, plants, sculptures, crystal and statues there look very nice! The statue placed in the middle of the circle/plants sculpture is a very nice feature there. The area looks very restful and calming!
It is looking very great!

Sandraelle

Wow Paula, you have gotten a lot done already. Great job on the Council Chamber section! It's looking awesome.

soocoolsim

Thanks @rosemow and @Sandraelle . So nice of you to pop in and give me incentive to keep going As I looked at these pics again I noticed things I want to change. Am thinking if I make the windows in the council chamber divider purple like the flooring or even black they might 'disappear' to give a better illusion of an eye. Also I forgot to recolour the library objects... got that done today as well as tweaked the café, started on the kiddies section of the library and completed another exhibit booth in the rotunda. The main floor public washrooms objects have been upgraded so I just need recolour the walls and floors. Hoping to finish these sections tomorrow if time permits. After that it's finishing off the farmers market, starting on the wedding chapel and who knows what else

romagi1

It's looking awesome Paula! Love the bottom pic!

Sandraelle

This is becoming quite the lot, it's like a bunch of lots all rolled into one, lol. Anxious to see if you ended up recoloring the windows of the divider in the council chamber. Have a question: what are those neon blue and green things that are surrounding the Kelp sculptures in your Peace Gardens?

rosemow

Hello @Sandraelle It is the tree of prosperity that comes with Lunar Lakes world.

jinzou214

As a native of Toronto (I pass by the City Hall every day on the 501), this is so very amazing! I cannot wait to see more!

edited to add: OMG you even included the "TORONTO" sign! And the stage!!!

Sandraelle

rosemow wrote: »

Hello @Sandraelle It is the tree of prosperity that comes with Lunar Lakes world.

Thanks so much @rosemow, no wonder I didn't recognize it, I don't have Lunar Lakes, lol.

soocoolsim

jinzou214 wrote: »

As a native of Toronto (I pass by the City Hall every day on the 501), this is so very amazing! I cannot wait to see more!

edited to add: OMG you even included the "TORONTO" sign! And the stage!!!

Thanks @jinzou214 . I've always wanted to do additional TO landmarks so this is fun. Am taking liberties with the interior layout for sim play however trying to maintain the essence and architectural integrity as much as I can

soocoolsim

Sandraelle wrote: »

rosemow wrote: »

Hello @Sandraelle It is the tree of prosperity that comes with Lunar Lakes world.

Thanks so much @rosemow, no wonder I didn't recognize it, I don't have Lunar Lakes, lol.

Hmmm Sandy. We'll need to tackle your wishlist