Located on Yonge Street in Thornhill, Ferris + Associates developed a unique design approach to this midrise urban infill residential development. With some limitations to loads to the extensive underground garage structure and a rather mundane urban environment as the local context, a landscape amenity area was developed as an oasis island in the interior courtyard. This island experience created a journey to the perimeter and central amenity areas providing a unique experience for both the users as well as a visual highlight for the residents overlooking this central courtyard amenity area. Design detailing included the edge treatments, concealment of recirculation apertures, and the surface treatment of the water areas to provide winter interest. All this safely accomplished without a plethora of guardrails that would have destroyed the openness and sense of the island experience.