Forumer Highrise Design Competion

[TorontoDrew]

Anybody interested in a little friendly competition now that the weather is getting worse and we will all be spending more time inside. At least until winter sports kick in.

I think the last one was for the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg, re-imagining the site. I never got around to finishing that one.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49815887476_db1acb56cc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iU4rME)cummings_01 (https://flic.kr/p/2iU4rME) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49847370436_72d253d5dc_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iWQNzj)cummings_05 (https://flic.kr/p/2iWQNzj) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49836259857_6ed47b4d61_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iVRRMB)cummings_04 (https://flic.kr/p/2iVRRMB) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50641517428_936fa9e542_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ka21NQ)01 (https://flic.kr/p/2ka21NQ) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr


Personally I would love to create a design for this corner at Carlaw and Dundas Ave in Toronto for this pie shape lot. Perfect place for a new flatiron.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6646377,-79.3421825,19.25z?entry=ttu

But I'm open for suggestions.

Anybody else interested in doing one of these again?

[koops65]

Count me in...

[TorontoDrew]

It can be anywhere, any type of structure. Hotel, Office, Condo, Bridge, Museum whatever. I really do want to work on a flatiron though so it might be fun to do a Flatiron competition and it can be anywhere the person would like it to be in Canada.

[TorontoDrew]

X2 post. Deleted.

[koops65]

Perhaps this needs to go into a thread somewhere other than the Canada section? Not very many respondents so far...

[TorontoDrew]

Perhaps you are right Koops.

[urbandreamer]

Can it be a hand drawn competition?

[Maldive]

Just for giggles I'll summit this scribble I did when Roy Thomson Hall was having trouble with the balance sheet. I know the competition may not be the right place for a $1.75 Billion condo ;)

Years ago I shared a few emails with Arthur Erickson (RIP) who was kind enough to send me the gorgeous original design for Roy Thomson Hall's seamless glass canopy.

So I dreamed up a condo for the southern portion of the site (big bucks for RTH ;-), and included a compete exterior re-clad of the as-built "angel food cake covered in mullions and a concrete beanie" ... back to Arthur's elegant first design for the hall's exterior.

The condo is skinned in a similar diamond curtain-wall (really cheap to build… not ;-).

Note the as-built exterior of RTH versus Erickson's exquisite design in the rendering.

https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/attachments/rth-condofinal-jpg-jpg.290815/
Me (https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/attachments/rth-condofinal-jpg-jpg.290815/)

[WhipperSnapper]

IMHO< The original is a masterpiece compared to this asymmetrical glass blob. The tower is too conceptual to comment on. Going full on building engineering is inappropriate for this thread however, what is supporting these glass petals and how do you clean to keep that facade shimmering?

[TorontoDrew]

Can it be a hand drawn competition?


Sure. We used to have that Fantasy Design thread but it seems to have been removed.

[WhipperSnapper]

How about leaving Roy Thomson Hall as it stands. ditching that glass atrium for just an open plaza. Selling the blossoming tower to Doha. It will accentuate that skyline and I have confidence they'll find an engineering solution. In return, a custom fitted Tornado tower would be both trendy and compliment the 1970s splendor.

[urbandreamer]

At some point, RTH will be redeveloped. Ad it stands, the entire area including Metro Hall has a nasty 1980s suburban feel.

[TorontoDrew]

I can't see that happening. There is a full mall under that park and giant food court. I could see the park getting a revamp, the parts closer to metro hall need looking at. I kind of like the 80's vibe though. As for RTH itself I don't see that ever being touched except for upgrades and glass replacement. It's one of the cooler looking structures in the city. I also love the below grade water feature. It's nice using that section of the P.A.T.H coming out of the underworld for a brief section often seeing that space used for weddings and other events.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52521691204_1f002202fa_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2o2aoY5)Roy Thompson Hall (https://flic.kr/p/2o2aoY5) by Michael Waterfield (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwchap/), on Flickr

[WhipperSnapper]

Metro Hall is fine. The pinks and greens are prime examples of its built era. The landscaped plaza has always been rough on the edges and it's one that should look as pristine as possible to fulfill its corporate head office complex vibe. I haven't seen the new fire hall. Surely, that looks pretty horrible.

rendering
https://www.toronto.com/news/council/toronto-metro-hall-to-double-as-metro-fire-hall-with-plans-for-affordable-housing-at/article_a3778538-a4ee-5560-835a-3ba88130c134.html?

Being Toronto, I can see Roy Thomson Hall as some sort of one time money making scheme. Fortunately, AFAIK, the heritage protection is very strong.

[lachlanholmes]

I’m interested. Probably not able to participate in a hand drawn competition, mind you, but if we can participate otherwise (i.e., computer), count me in!

[koops65]

Yes, no hand drawings for me either. My submission will be in 3D renders.

[TorontoDrew]

Okay so I'll throw out this location. There are no good images of the site, it's just a boring parking lot.
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6646104,-79.3421199,3a,90y,300.87h,88.1t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s41bKEGK2zam6UKEHNDvTTQ!2e0!5s20201001T000000!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53306339432_5f039650fb_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pduVxN)LocationAAA (https://flic.kr/p/2pduVxN) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

1160 Dundas Street East
At the corner of Dunda St Street East and Carlaw Ave
Currently on site - surface parking
Dundast Street East is on the south, Carlaw to the East and Dickens Street to the north.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53307377073_a0e6095c5d_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pdAf1a)Location (https://flic.kr/p/2pdAf1a) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53307408523_0c7f4b8290_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pdApmp)LocationA (https://flic.kr/p/2pdApmp) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

The West side butts up against the Old Woods Factory
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53307137536_de2a623d89_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pdz1Nd)Dundas_Logan_02 (https://flic.kr/p/2pdz1Nd) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

The eastern side butts up against a new art installation
source:https://cdn.skyrisecities.com/
https://cdn.skyrisecities.com/sites/default/files/images/articles/2020/10/43380/43380-127897.jpg

Here is the proximity to the core, and it will be 1 block south from a new station on the Ontario line.
source: https://images.squarespace-cdn.com
https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/5bb7e6683560c30cf7a455b0/1660582494296-5PM8GVF62HEBV485DY8O/LBF5.jpg?format=1500w&content-type=image%2Fjpeg


The area itself used to be industrial and blue collar. The area has maintained many of it's old structures and still has an idustrial feel. Just for some context to help with design ideas.

source: https://media.blogto.com
https://media.blogto.com/uploads/2018/06/12/20180612-carlawdundas1.jpg?cmd=resize&quality=70&w=1400&height=2500
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53307194441_0b9f8d9d59_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pdziHk)LocationAA (https://flic.kr/p/2pdziHk) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

The building can be office, condo, mixed use, retail, whatever. Size, scale will be up to you. Lets say cut off for this will be Sunday December 3rd.

[lachlanholmes]

A few things to take into consideration:

According to the property parcel data on the City's mapping site (https://map.toronto.ca/torontomaps/?query=COTGEO_MUN_PARCEL_208%2CPARCELID%2C5417924&showLayers=COTGEO_MUN_PARCEL_208%3Bcot_geospatial27_6999), the parking lot and the old Woods factory to the west are one parcel. As such, it may prove worthwhile to utilize the entirety of the property in our concepts.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHc0XCLa_N8IuabjsJxhAXmPi0oaQFC4JC0x2M00pSG5xnssGP3JuKeCKOYdFC-m42oFGKVCQThNzMojXWeXAZhvdm1RaK0KYqy2arp0_iX6GMIR6Enr_io8IqSkV6etbyp7hwik4fJYg9k0aKvl7BGP=w1590-h732-s-no?authuser=0

Bonus: approximate site size

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHe0-cIWWcTUw2boK0i3LQl9qP8R4OevPoW37ihetwjYtHQ4KZlYZU1JZ2a0sGJpnWXRygGx7mfk66NOqdcJokIQuLNERqrrYRuEVlia4byXTQUuWrplzjH6IdO8zj49zGxW9VpbxCibMeDLq4Pi4MIk=w1599-h735-s-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcP9smNCVIV1VlbBYDdv-A5i1FQhS6ph172WXKVOuiQwFktccvS90K26Pave97NEL1lUS2FvPHI1PZBfwoYQyC0JgZI7GwHbKDhwvCUH1VQecYY93zZKh5oVH9X872z8K0G9e6p7FXG9ZBxKFtFQNOZ=w1590-h736-s-no?authuser=0

Also worth noting is that the entire block to the north is becoming a Transit Oriented Community given the Ontario Line station at Gerrard/Carlaw. There are no plans publicly available at the moment to my knowledge, just a single rendering. It does seem safe to say, however, that Dickens Street could/will be evolved quite significantly from its current state, which is basically a back alley.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHd3BFfKU9Lxt3EONpzCyXfdHV6j29WAP3Rs4VpYLI3fZ_HVqtVKu29jZ_g39RRxW35S9BT_1jG8hVApbSIM2Z3DwXH8pUYSHhARiFKH91Bf1ziaXwgREnhuX-GFo2FPz4lUmlA4co14dS8rb-o_dHp4=w720-h540-s-no?authuser=0
source (https://www.infrastructureontario.ca/en/what-we-do/projectssearch/gerrard-carlaw-south-transit-oriented-community/)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ADCreHcL--7ZY_6sdDqtANYvpNm1s3aJUFOfM-H-QTaSfnBZijUaz9imhQP98k-lV8XUgp5U2hMPmDWCsLF1xsX_9A5idYTI-G75lmZXt3CqXLEfFJksaSMlGaMR1IvqHP2oLrfd-QdaR1rymWeCIbk7fUJr=w1280-h745-s-no?authuser=0
source (https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1003667/ontario-building-more-homes-in-toronto-near-transit)

All things considered, a very interesting site with a lot of potential (that is probably a good candidate for redevelopment in reality, given the emerging development around the future Ontario Line station) and I am looking forward to seeing what we all come up with!

[koops65]

I've already started designing my building... :D

[Truenorth00]

Can I challenge you guys to design something beautiful as opposed to something to impress other architects?

C9pg2j2oGy0?si=umQSdPWNLSFnRT5G

[TorontoDrew]

A few things to take into consideration:

According to the property parcel data on the City's mapping site (https://map.toronto.ca/torontomaps/?query=COTGEO_MUN_PARCEL_208%2CPARCELID%2C5417924&showLayers=COTGEO_MUN_PARCEL_208%3Bcot_geospatial27_6999), the parking lot and the old Woods factory to the west are one parcel. As such, it may prove worthwhile to utilize the entirety of the property in our concepts.




Good catch, ya feel free to do the entire Woods Block then. Lets leave out the giant lot to the north as that's being used to stage construction for the Ontario Line. They won't be building anything there for at least 8-10 years.

Also I wanted to use the flatiron shape of that parcel of land. But if you want to do either or both locations go for it.

[urbandreamer]

This site would be a good location for a tent city.

Last year, I camped across Canada and when I first arrived in Vancouver, I realized I'd parked next door to the Woods Canada hq - I had a Woods Pinnacle tent ha. (After 25 uses, the tent poles have snapped and the pegs are crap. It has survived countless intense rain and wind storms though.)

[WhipperSnapper]

The building is divided into studios for creative ideas.
https://www.401logan.ca/home


Urbantoronto sleuths found a rendering for a redevelopment scheme on an architect's site a few years ago.

https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/401-logan-ave-dundas-st-e-g-c-jain-investment-14s-a-architects.30749/

[koops65]

Less than 2 weeks left...

[urbandreamer]

Not going to happen. I'm busy packing and moving back to Toronto. Possibly I could sketch something by February, except I'm starting a new job ...

[TorontoDrew]

Not going to happen. I'm busy packing and moving back to Toronto. Possibly I could sketch something by February, except I'm starting a new job ...


Same, this month is getting away from me fast.

[lachlanholmes]

Looks like none of us have had a quiet November. I’d also support an extension to the timeline, things have gotten busy on my end as well.

[urbandreamer]

I dreamt I was designing a flat iron mid-rise with a cool Iranian-style brick facade inspired by a basket weave. Hopefully I can fix my laptop and get this done sometime.

[TorontoDrew]

Still a work in progress. I'm going to ad some outdoors themed landscaping to pay homage to the old Woods Factory as I finish the details. 17 storeys, just five taller then condo's across the street from it. Also I see the city allowing some major development on it's north side as there is a giant surface lot being used by Metrolinx atm for construction of the Ontario line. I've given myself a Tuesday deadline to complete.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404661819_240560a07b_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pnbRnn)DundasCarlaw_Condo_02 (https://flic.kr/p/2pnbRnn) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

[urbandreamer]

Beautiful.

I am looking at buying an Asus Tuf gaming laptop with 16-32gb ram and upgrading to SketchUp Pro. Depends if there's decent Boxing Week sales.

[koops65]

I need to go highrise on this one... 50 floors.

From a distance:

https://i.imgur.com/cyYjtMb.png

[TorontoDrew]

Getting Bank of China mixed in with the Hancock Tower vibes Koops. :cheers:

[koops65]

Thanks... the trees on yours are a nice touch as well... :cheers:

[Maldive]

Still a work in progress. I'm going to ad some outdoors themed landscaping to pay homage to the old Woods Factory as I finish the details. 17 storeys, just five taller then condo's across the street from it. Also I see the city allowing some major development on it's north side as there is a giant surface lot being used by Metrolinx atm for construction of the Ontario line. I've given myself a Tuesday deadline to complete.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53404661819_240560a07b_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2pnbRnn)DundasCarlaw_Condo_02 (https://flic.kr/p/2pnbRnn) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

Nice one Drew.

Perfect for Gairloch Developments (I'll give them a ring ;-).

[TorontoDrew]

A little update. Added a 36 and a 32 storey tower on the brownfield behind the loft structure. Just need to grunge up the file a bit now.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53458756599_d0bee85f8d_h.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2prY6RZ)WoodsLoft_v03_r01 (https://flic.kr/p/2prY6RZ) by Andrew Moore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152946574@N05/), on Flickr

[koops65]

So, our location has almost been taken over by this proposal:

https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/01/transit-oriented-community-program-unveiled-south-gerrard-station.55111

One of the plans calls it a "future plaza".

[WhipperSnapper]

That's not a proposal. It's a provincial planning initiative. Also for consideration is how long Crosstown has taken to be built for the first opportunity to start construction and what it looks like. It's in the realm of possibilities that a 25 storey development rejected 10 years ago for being too big may be approved at 40 storeys today. That's how much city building is a clusterfuck in Toronto and how any real development approval here can make this initiative a complete waste of time and dollars.