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Toronto’s top design firms have been finding their place on the global stage more frequently in recent years as coveted international award programs grow more familiar with the high level of design that can be found across Canada. The latest firm to continue the streak is BDP Quadrangle, who were honoured with a Future Project Award by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The firm’s design for the 49-storey 307 Lake Shore East development from Plaza Partners, was one of 11 projects worldwide that took home an award in the Future category.
Established in 1969, the CTBUH is one of the world’s premier non-profit organizations focussing on healthy and sustainable urbanism through the advancement of vertical communities. Every year, the organization assesses the top projects from across the world for their awards program, which comprises nearly 40 different categories. The categories from broad ones like Best Tall Building Worldwide to more fine-grained and technical ones like facade engineering, geotechnical engineering, or life safety. For a full list of winners, click here.
CTBUH’s criteria for the Future Project Award include that it "will focus on building designs that best advance sustainable vertical urbanism through innovation, efficiency, and potential influence on the industry.” According to the BDP Quadrangle team, the 307 Lake Shore East proposal has accomplished this by framing the design process around five key deliverables: affordable housing, community and cultural space, public realm enhancements, sustainable systems, and design excellence.
“I'm exceptionally proud that our team's efforts on 307 Lake Shore are being recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat,” said Ornella Richichi, Chief Development Officer at Plaza Partners, in a press release shared with UrbanToronto. “Since the project began, we've understood the responsibility we have to develop such a significant waterfront site in a manner that is both socially and environmentally responsible. To be the only development in Toronto recognized with this award is a welcomed affirmation of those plans and ambitions."
The exterior expression of the 49-storey tower is defined by a dramatic ‘exoskeleton’ of arches and columns that house the various balconies, while the building's floor-plate takes on the triangularity of its site, embracing unconventional motifs to deliver something that is pronounced and takes advantage of its prominent waterfront position.
As for the building systems, the project will target Passive House standard through the employment of a highly efficient building envelope, reducing the energy needed for heating. It will also include no residential parking, encouraging residents to utilize the transit options in the immediate vicinity.
Pending approval for a Zoning Bylaw Amendment applied for last Spring, the project will deliver 430 new units along with 700m² of area reserved for community and cultural uses.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
| Related Companies: | BDP Quadrangle, Bousfields, Counterpoint Engineering, Resident, RWDI Climate and Performance Engineering, STUDIO tla |
