interesting article in today's National Post....
Garrison at the Yards
When Vancouver-based developer Onni Group of Companies snatched up a parcel of property at Fort York Boulevard and Bathurst Street, the most important design element became appeasing the neighbours. That is because Fort York, an historic site museum and home to Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, is situated right next door.
“The Fort’s success lies in its architecture’s direct expressiveness, the somewhat random placement of its buildings, and its sense of maintaining an edge against the advancing city,” says Rudy Wallman of Wallman Architects. “All of these characteristics must be reflected in the new building if it is to become a worthy neighbour to the Fort and make evident the Fort’s significance to passersby. At the same time, the new building must express the aspirations of its occupants, many of whom are attracted to the building because of its location and unique views over the expanse of the Fort.”
Since city guidelines insisted construction cannot cast shadows on the fort, Garrison at the Yards will be a midrise. The eight-storey podium, which Onni spokesperson Sue Young describes as “shaped like a boomerang,” will feature a pattern of vertical panels of red brick that pick up on Fort York’s heritage elements. The randomly spaced panels flank the balconies and create a rustic effect against the four floors of glass above. The retail space at grade will have a glass curtain wall with recessed entrances, which Mr. Wallman says will provide visual breaks in an otherwise continuous expanse of glass.
With the Gardiner Expressway close by, the south wall was given special treatment. Prefinished aluminum panels will create a two-tone colour pattern reflecting the random brick piers on the east and north façades and will also capture a sense of the movement inherent in the passing vehicular traffic. Says Mr. Wallman: “The pattern is arranged in a Morse code message that welcomes passersby to the Fort York neighbourhood.”
Garrison at the Yards is the first building in Onni’s master-planned community called The Yards that will add 1,100 residences to the Fort York neighbourhood.
Read more:
http://www.nationalpost.com/homes/Fabulous+facades/3678564/story.html#ixzz12ZJjM1QS