Winnipeg-based 5468796 Architecture, which has quickly made a name for itself in architectural circles, has teamed up with three developers on a low-rise townhouse development in Toronto, its first project in the city.
The firm, which was founded in 2007, is collaborating with Symmetry Developments, Engine Developments and Fortress Real Developments on The Tree House project in the emerging Birch Cliff neighbourhood.
Ground is expected to be broken early in 2016 on the development, which will be composed of three distinct buildings with shared courtyards, rather than one large residential building,
In all, the complex will accommodate 39 townhouses, staggered to follow the property lines and maximize green space. Working drawings are more than 75 per cent complete.
The team includes structural engineers CSC Group Ltd., mechanical and electrical engineers Falcon Engineering, and Land Art Design Landscape Architects. Interior designers are DK Studio.
Sasa Radulovic, a principal in 5468796, which is now engaged in projects in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, said the move into the Toronto market was prompted by a call from Symmetry.
"We were certainly excited to try out the prowess that we developed in Winnipeg and see how it could work in other environments," said Radulovic, who co-founded the firm with architect Johanna Hurme.
The two were joined eight months later by third partner Colin Neufeld.
"This (move into Toronto) is very interesting for us as architects as we are proceeding on a very quick learning curve in terms of understanding the (local) context."
Its Winnipeg residential projects include the 18-unit youCUBE housing development on a narrow 63-ft by 264-ft. lot on the north end of Waterfront Drive, the 25-unit OZ condo development in the heart of Osborne Village, and the eight-unit 548 Stradbrook infill project on the site of a former fraternity house, also in Osborne Village.
"All of the projects that we have done in the past inform our current projects," Radulovic said.
Located in a mature neighbourhood on Gerrard Street East, The Tree House development is intended "to play off the neighborhood’s newfound vibrancy," Radulovic said.
While the existing housing stock tends to be "nondescript" in terms of aesthetics, a number of independent coffee shops and "quirky" small stores have begun to emerge in the east end neighbourhood.
"The Tree House is a very responsive design in both scale and urban approach," Radulovic said. "We are following the geometry of the existing housing stock lining Gerrard Street and especially Coalport Drive, staggering and breaking up the façade.
Plans for the development incorporate two landscaped courtyards, emphasizing the importance of exterior shared space.
Radulovic said one courtyard will function as a natural extension of Coalport Drive, which dead ends at the site.
"The courtyard at the end of Coalport Drive allows the project to weave into the existing city fabric and enables our new residents to connect with their neighbours."
Radulovic said green space is a critical element in such a family-oriented development.
"Open spaces allow people to take advantage of the entire site, not just the interiors that are most commonly associated with condo living," he said.
The project is scheduled for completion in late 2016.
Since its inception, 5468796 Architecture has won numerous national and international awards. The firm was the 2013 recipient of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) emerging architectural practice award.
Other honours include Governor General’s Medals in Architecture, for the OMS Stage open-air performance venue in Winnipeg and for the Bloc_10 low-budget housing project, also in Winnipeg.
5468796 was the recipient of a RAIC Award of Excellence for the OMS Stage in the advocate for architecture category and an Award of Excellence in the innovation in architecture category for Bloc_10.
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