Project Information
"The proposed project for mixed use development is located at 177 Front Street East, Toronto, ON The site is part of the Downtown Toronto area bound by four streets, with the major street being Front Street to the north The Esplanade to the south Princess Street to the east and Sherbourne Street to the west The site is well accessible from the surrounding three streets as well as from the commercial and residential developments around the site The property has 2 lots, Phase 1 towards the North and Phase 2 towards the South The proposed development is in Phase 1 identified as a brownfield site which requires Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment Located in the site context of Downtown Toronto with a need for residential accommodation along with active residential, commercial, and recreational development, the site is ideal and feasible for high rise mixed use development The design requirement is to create a high rise condominium apartment as well as a subsidized apartment while incorporating commercial mixed use development
The design concept has been evolved by understanding Toronto Urban Design guidelines in addition to closely studying important factors involved in the environmental psychology of tall buildings The key concept of “The Connect” is to integrate the various uses within the building and to bridge the building with its neighbourhood This concept has been achieved by zoning the building uses vertically, with the retail units, offices, health clinics and daycare at the bottom levels and residential use at the top tier Zoning at the horizontal level is based on coherence and affordances At the street level the building massing uses a simple step down concept with the tower reducing its footprint as it moves upwards creating visual stimulation by breaking the monotonous nature of stacking as well as using a geometric facade treatment that creates a visual stimulation while blending with the surrounding structures
As a step towards being responsible architects, the importance of active and passive design features has been introduced and allocated as necessary to reduce energy consumption and waste generated from the building Some of the active and passive design strategies included are green roof, solar panels, daylighting, natural ventilation, wind turbines and chilled beam system Green roof above the podium level as well as the terrace of the building offers a recreational interactive area accessible to residents of both the buildings The primary feature of the ‘ is the vertical frame of the facade a structural element connecting lower units to the upper ones and acts as an aesthetic design element giving massing to the building As a result of seasonal temperature variances and the subsequent heat gains/losses associated with glazing, exposed brick cladding is used at podium level as the primary facade treatment integrating with the neighbouring building materials and creating a sense of connect with the surrounding area owing to its vernacular style The vertical movable louvers provided at the balconies on the south side act as shading devices in order to reduce the southern heat gain In addition, the residential apartments are designed as modular pre cast units which besides being cost effective offer maximum sense of openness with minimum space requirement “The Connect” is a design proposal that follows the core idea of creating an environment friendly, functional, and interesting design concept that blends with the community around it It is also a design evolution that was generated by understanding the lack of defensible spaces in several streets of Downtown Toronto and how buildings were losing its functional value over time and technology. “The Connect” as the name implies uses simple planning strategies to connect on the inside as well as the outside."
Project Information
"It is often seen that seniors are ignored and abandoned at retirement housing centres that not always cover their psychological and social needs which can affect their lives in a negative way. Many of these needs are related to seniors feeling vulnerable, as their bodies and minds become fragile. This of course, is linked to the lack of exercise they experience in their daily routine. Moreover, this feeling of vulnerability is amplified when they need to go outside, because there, they possess fewer control over the environment around them. The main goal of this concept is to tackle this problem. All of senior’s needs should be acknowledged. This seniors housing project uses several architectural techniques and technological advancements to cover these needs and provide a better quality of life to their occupants, while also complying with the city and the planet requirements from an environmental and health point of view.
The building develops protection and movement as main objectives for their residents. Well designed spaces and circulations look for residents to stay healthy, both physically and mentally for which, high standard architectural guidelines were used as well as environmental psychology parameters. Additionally, construction and environmental technologies, such as extended green roofing, atrium spaces and living walls, were used to improve the sustainable efficiency of the building providing an environmentally friendly project to the seniors and to the city."
Project Information
The design concept approach for the Mixed Use Complex 177 Front Street consisted increasing a Point Tower square form divided into 4 sections by Duplex units. Each section aim to have a different façade treatment, in which the owners of the units could identify their section in the building . The mass was also envisioned with a decorative approach using basic geometric pattern for the windows and exterior doors which seen at the distance through clear or tinted tempered safety glass of the balconies will create a lase effect in the facade. The suites units have access to intensive green balconies and large terraces that contributes to reduce heat island effect and promotes pollution reduction,. The base of the Point tower transition into the podium by having a more horizontal platform also designed with intensive green roof balconies. The corner of this platform simulates oversize pilasters cladded in solar glass panel giving the impression of floating on a massive structure. The Common Areas Roof top have been designed with a combination of intensive–extensive green roof to accommodate a variety of outdoor activities. Since the Mixed Use complex incorporates buildings servicing the community and the Subsidize rental apartment, this building was envisioned having a courtyard and Terrazas that promotes defendable space. The continuity of the elements of the condominium tower have been incorporated in the subsidies building dissolving the social barriers that could be magnified by building shape, style, design of the spaces and material selection. Minimum requirements for parking space per unit was also implementing , the three Underground parking levels are provided with Electrical charger stations, and bike racks. To offset the environmental impact of Reinforced Concrete structures erected in both Podiums (ThePoint Towe and the Subsidize Building) and all the suites at the Point Tower , Mass Timber Structure was chosen for the Subsidize Building to take advantage of this renewable technology. Only the stairs and elevator shaft will be constructed with Reinforced Concrete in Place.
Project Information
The design project for semester 6 was to design a mixed-use brownfield’s redevelopment. The course covered all aspects of brownfield redevelopment including procedures for environmental assessments, site remediation and record of site condition requirements. The location for this project at Front St. & Sherbourne St. was once on the shore of the original settlement of York, the name ‘Old Ten Bankside’ reflects the historical significance of the site, and some of the building forms represent the timber pile construction of traditional wharf that were located at the site. The design aspects of the project include high rise condominium residential suites and amenities, cooperative office space, street level commercial retail units & grocery store, community center including satellite library and learning room, daycare center, walk in medical clinic, large community event hall, and subsidized housing suites. OBC requirements are met for all occupancies including exits, washrooms, parking, fire ratings, etc. The project encompasses a broad range of construction systems, for the parking floors a waterproof raft foundation was chosen to minimize groundwater penetration and removal. The podium levels are 2-way concrete slab on columns with a laminated stone veneer rain screen system. High rise condominium tower is a shear wall design with traditional red brick facade on the lower levels, and composite panel system above. The community center and subsidized housing building is a mass timber construction. This brownfield redevelopment project highlights the benefits from redevelopment of underutilized urban areas, the eventual transformation to create vibrant, desirable infill of mixed housing, retail, and community services, which respect the historical architecture and location, would improve the fabric of the city for the benefit of all residents.