5468796

5468796

  • CY33

    July 17, 2023

    0506

    CY33

    Calgary, AB

    multi-family residential, commercial

    104,500 sqft

    complete 2021

    $15.5M

    RNDSQR

    Courtyard 33, also known as CY33, is a six storey mixed-use building located at the corner of a gateway intersection to the emerging Marda Loop area of Calgary. The proposed development consists of ground floor commercial space with five levels of multi-family housing above, served by two levels of underground parking.

    The building design carves into the large mass afforded by the 150 foot x 120 foot lot to introduce an elevated courtyard on the second floor where residents can connect and neighbourhood life can thrive. The public courtyard is accessed via two staircases, one from the main thoroughfare and one from the backlane. The primary staircase is treated as a grand entrance with a mix of landscaping and bleacher-style seating. Two additional commercial spaces open onto the courtyard, and spatial programming is flexible to encourage use by community members.

    Residential units vary from one-bedroom suites to two-bedroom homes, providing attainable housing options for both individuals and families. Innovation and efficiency come through the implementation of a skip-stop corridor design. While multi-family buildings are typically designed as double-loaded corridors, the skip-stop strategy incorporates two-storey, through-units accessed via a private staircase. This arrangement serves to eliminate corridors on alternating floors and increases saleable area, while also improving cross-ventilation and access to daylight in many of the suites. A variety of conditions are necessary to meet setback requirements on each facade. The checkered [cellular] approach achieved through alternating composition of balconies and solid walls on all facades permits inflections at each cell, allowing the design to meet zoning bylaws while maintaining the uniform nature of the building. Increasing setbacks on upper levels, inset balconies that alternate positions on each floor, and exterior exit stairs also serve to reduce the overall building mass and draw more daylight into the building.

    Photography: James Brittain

    Awards: 2017 Calgary MUDA Honourable Mention / Theoretical Urban Design Project

  • 62M

    July 16, 2023

    0242

    62M

    Winnipeg, MB

    multi-family residential

    29,300 sqft

    complete 2017

    $4.75M

    Green Seed Development Corp. + Ranjjan Developments

    62M is a 41-unit residential development located at the edge of downtown Winnipeg and the Red River. Compressed between a freeway and the backs of neighbouring properties, the site was considered undesirable due to restricted views and a lack of street frontage. Lifted up on 35’ high stilts, the project overcomes the limitations of its surroundings with an iconic form and unprecedented sightlines.

    The three storey, circular building is both spatially efficient and cost-effective. As a whole, the 360 degree plan provides the widest possible perimeter for glass with the smallest amount of exterior envelope to construct. In addition, all units have identical, pie-shaped layouts that simplify assembly. Each 610 s.f. suite is arranged so that the entry and utility spaces occupy the narrow end, closest to the circulation core. This configuration frees the remaining square footage for a flexible, open living area that culminates in an expansive wall of floor to ceiling glass.

    At ground level, a forest of columns fills the site; some of these stilts support the building while others function as light standards to illuminate the parking area. Their thinness becomes a clear counterpoint to the thicker ring of housing, emphasizing the weight and mass of the building floating above.

    Photography: James Brittain and James Florio

    Awards: Prairie Design Award of Merit 2022, AZ Awards Award of Merit Multi-Family Residential 2019, World Architecture Festival Shortlist 2014

    Visit the Penthouse today at padwinnipeg.com.

  • Maples Chiropractic Clinic

    June 17, 2023

    0199

    Maples Chiropractic Clinic

    Winnipeg, MB

    health, commercial

    2,900 sqft

    complete 2013

    Dr. Gilbert Miranda

    Maples Chiropractic is a busy clinic that recently relocated to an existing one storey strip mall in Winnipeg’s suburban Maples neighbourhood. The design-aware client wanted to refine the aesthetic experience of the clinic so that the space itself reflected the holistic, health-conscious ideology of the practice.

    The project’s limited square footage is maximized through the introduction of a central spine rendered in standard dimensional lumber. The ends of the lumber are left exposed to best present the natural beauty of the material. The spine spans the length of the clinic and houses a number of functions, facilitating the sequential circulation of clients as they progress through different stages of treatment, beginning with the entry vestibule and intake area, and concluding with the follow up booking area.

    The treatment rooms are organized along one side of the spine, with reception and adjustments along the other. A staff room and utility functions are housed at the back of the space.

    Throughout the clinic, a modern material palette creates a simple and soothing effect; the presence of wood lends warmth and comfort, while white walls and glass make the best use of limited incoming daylight.

    Awards: 2018 Prairie Wood Design Award

  • Crossroads Garden Shed

    May 23, 2023

    0372

    Crossroads Garden Shed

    Calgary, AB

    pavilion

    720 sqft

    complete 2016

    $100,000

    CMLC

    The Crossroads Garden Shed demonstrates the value and capacity of architecture to transform communities with even the smallest of briefs. Intended to supply a growing neighbourhood with a simple storage structure for gardening tools and outdoor furniture, the original vision shifted drastically when re-approached as a unique opportunity to enhance the pedestrian realm. This discovery led to a rigorous design process, developing the project into much more than initially imagined, and activating the area for residents and visitors.

    Inherently stable and waterproof structures, three 8 foot x 10 foot shipping containers establish the base structure. Selected for their utilitarian nature and in response to the brief and budget, these were placed to create intimate spaces in-between, while the overall structure acts as a threshold between the street, gardens, and play area. One container is a tool shed, the initial programme requirement, while the remaining two provide additional storage and programmable space, critical to evolving the structure into a civic amenity.

    The containers are composed of weathering steel, making it a natural choice for the whole structure. Their corrugated geometry is ’multiplied’ and ’stretched’ through layering weathered steel plates and expanded metal mesh, consequently softening the structure’s appearance. An oblong grid of hexagonal weathered steel shapes create a domed surface to gather within; steel honeycombs open skyward in vertical flues and, connected by an overhead trellis, dapple the ground below with light.

    The final design is the product of a formulaic analysis which optimizes both budget and design for the largest civic impact possible. The project focus is not only its merits as an object but the ability of the spaces between to foster community. The re-imagined SHED is a civic attraction that lends itself to further programming as the area grows and includes areas for work, shelter and relaxation.

    Photography: Images 1 and 11 courtesy of CMLC.

    Awards: 2018 Architizer A+ | +Urban Transformation; 2017 Calgary Mayor’s Urban Design Award; 2016 Platinum American Architecture Prize

    Courtesy of CMLC
    Courtesy of CMLC

  • One Bucket at a Time

    May 12, 2023

    0510

    One Bucket at a Time

    Mexico City, MX

    urban installation

    complete 2017

    Factor Eficiencia

    Mextropoli 2017

    In Mexico City’s metropolitan area, with a population of more than 23 million people, 4.5 million daily commuters navigate complex road networks, frequent traffic jams, public protests and parking shortages. The street—the prime public space—is the setting for all such friction. There, “viene viene” —entrepreneurs who function outside of government oversight —bribe the local police, use common painter’s buckets to claim a piece of the street, and charge hopeful drivers looking for a parking spot with an additional fee in exchange for access to their illegal stall.

    One Bucket at a Time was inspired by this hijacking of public (parking) space and uses common painter’s buckets as the building blocks for an interactive pavilion. Connecting the buckets via a grid of ropes, the installation is a malleable surface that the public is encouraged to freely explore. The surface can be rolled, pulled together or up to a point or along a line taking on different forms. People can sit, run, play, stand, lounge, and participate in the act of taking over the public realm. In situ for a three day period, the installation will come down gradually, released from the ropes and absorbed by the city. By using buckets —a symbol of holding the public space hostage, we are highlighting and questioning this pervasive condition, and also empowering people of Mexico City to reclaim ownership of their public space, one bucket at a time.

    Photography: Jaime Navarro and Mortiz Bernoully Photography

    Awards: 2018 ArchDaily Building of the Year nominee; 2017 IDA Design Awards | Arch Pavilions; 2017 Glocal Premio Noldi Schreck finalist; 2017 Interior Design Installation BoY Award

  • Brewery at the Forks

    May 11, 2023

    0397

    Brewery at the Forks

    Winnipeg, MB

    craft brewery

    1,750 sqft

    not pursued

    The Forks Renewal Corporation

    The Brewery at The Forks is part addition, part renovation of a new craft brewery operating out of Winnipeg’s historic Forks Market. Height limitations and load constraints caused the existing market building to be unsuitable for use as a full production brewery. These restrictions created an opportunity to explore a new complimentary form that draws inspiration from the market’s past and the processes occurring inside.

    Prescribed by surrounding site constraints, the brewery is compressed on a small footprint which generated the need to vertically stack the key functions of the brewing process, resulting in a design reminiscent of early gravity fed breweries. The process begins on the roof deck, where malted grain is stored in a series of exterior grain bins. From here, it flows to the top floor for crushing, mashing and boiling. The product then travels down to the floor in series of tall fermentation tanks. The brewmasters and public have their first interaction as testing and tasting occur simultaneously.

    Drawing on the site’s industrial past, the addition interlocks with the existing building at each level of production, the geometry articulated as a series of cogs in the brewing process. On the exterior, a dual purpose steel skin wraps the structure providing support for the significant lateral loads in addition to framing a series of apertures that provide small glimpses of the process inside. A new entrance folds into the existing market building at the ground floor, revealing an intimate tap room inside the exiting market.

    Awards: 2017 ArchMarathon finalist; 2016 Canadian Architect Award of Merit

  • Guertin Cottage

    May 10, 2023

    0439

    Guertin Cottage

    Storm Bay, ON

    cottage

    1,960 sqft

    complete 2021

    On the banks of Lake of the Woods, three black crests quietly emerge from a scattering of birch and spruce. The forms intersect with each other to create the Guertin Cottage, phase two of a three part lake-front property.

    At the client’s request, the guest cottage evokes the form of a ’witches hut’ from the tale of “Hansel & Gretel”. Atop a simple raised platform the cottage materializes as a sculptural ’ wooden tent.’ The predominant black roof line contains three high cones with three associated low brims; each component arranged on a checkerboard grid in plan. The resulting shroud meets the ground for privacy in the northwest and is pushed and pulled at the joints and edges of the roof line to allow for light, views, and the expansion of living space to the south facing the lake. The structure co-exists with the forest both in function and aesthetic, exuding a playful character for guests of the family – primarily their children and grand children.

    Propped up on a heavy timbre frame, the roof and it’s skeleton forms a clear delineation of materials and structure that maintain the simplicity that is integral to the cottage design. Three low box volumes are positioned between the supports, designed to house utilities and to create rooms. Resting above two of these volumes are a pair of sleeping lofts. The third volume acts as a chimney servicing the interior and exterior of the cottage. These towering volumes act to draw up warm air and provide ample daylighting within the cottage.

  • Chair Your Idea

    May 9, 2023

    0416

    Chair Your Idea

    Winnipeg, MB

    design advocacy

    complete 2016

    Available to all Winnipeggers, Chair Your Idea is a crowdsourced and crowdfunded open competition that seeks to generate 1000+ urban design ideas and $30,000+ to realize the winning idea.

    For a $25 registration fee, participants were asked to submit their creative initiative in 140 characters or less and contribute one white chair for public use to mark their submission. The chairs, with the ideas written on them, were placed in public locations throughout the city and cared for by participating local businesses for the duration of the three week competition period. The accumulating chairs and the creative ideas associated with them allowed Winnipeggers to enjoy newly claimed public spaces, take part in a discussion about urban design, and exchange thoughts on how to make our city even better.

    At the end of the competition period, the winning ideas were selected by a high caliber jury and announced at a block party at City Hall, where the chairs were gathered for a final spectacular display of Winnipeg innovation and pride. The winning idea – to hold a contest for kids to design environmentally themed art for city transit buses to encourage youth ridership – was implemented in the spring of 2016. Working together with Art City, an art competition called Imaginary Superbus was held at The Forks on May 14th.

  • Tree House

    May 8, 2023

    0330

    Tree House

    Toronto, ON

    multi-family residential

    42,600 sqft

    not pursued

    $4.5M

    Symmetry Developments

    Tree House is a new low-rise, 39 unit townhome development in Toronto’s emerging Birch Cliff neighbourhood. The project raises the bar for high quality, contemporary architecture in the area by offering well-built, ample-sized and affordably priced homes and authentic community spaces for first time homebuyers, particularly families. Instead of a large residential building, The Tree House is composed of three separate block staggered to follow the property lines and maximize green space, with all required parking located underground. The multi-level two and three bedroom units range in size from 935 sqft to 1325 sqft. The project will appeal to buyers who desire both indoor and outdoor areas, with exterior access in the form of courtyards, private rooftop terraces and gardens. The shared courtyards provide open communal space for residents, encouraging social engagement.

    The rhythmic, staggered geometry of stacked unit cells creates an ever-changing interplay of void and solid, shadow and light across the façade. The blocks are clad in anodized aluminum, which offers durability, modularity and beauty. The material’s almost iridescent quality provides a unique surface to receive and reflects light and shadow. Based on the length of the anodizing process, different shades are applied to each of the blocks so that the overall aesthetic remains consistent while still allowing for variety across the site.

  • Parallelogram House

    May 7, 2023

    0259

    Parallelogram House

    East St. Paul, MB

    single-family residence

    2,700 sqft 

    complete 2014

    Situated on a typical suburban street in a bedroom community just north of Winnipeg, the Parallelogram House stands in quiet and refined contrast to its stucco-clad neighbours. While the clients desired a one-storey layout for their young family, they also wanted to ensure that all of the bedrooms had views of the front or backyard. By skewing the floor plan into a parallelogram, the window area was greatly increased without increasing the footprint, opening the home up to a panoramic view of the trees and preserving the site’s southern exposure within the required setbacks.

    The house is clad in vertical wood siding that wraps onto the underside of an extensive roof overhang, which is supported by a family of Cor-Ten columns that acts as both structure and screen, evoking the rich texture and shadows of the tree line. Together, wood and steel render the house as part of the surrounding landscape.

    Inside, the main living space is defined by an 11-foot high ceiling horizon and an open plan that flows around a freestanding utility box. The bedroom and garage wings are separated from the living space by white metal screens that extend the geometry of the exterior columns through the house. A simple and muted palette emphasizes the interior volumes, highlighted by a sequence of light wells and skylights.

    Photography: James Brittain

    Awards: 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture ; 2017 Architectural Review House Awards shortlist

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