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UK-based Sapphire Balconies has made an international name for itself in balcony design and innovation. This includes projects close to the Greater Toronto Area. Rainwater at 339 Veteran's Drive is currently under construction in Barrie, developed by Sean Mason Homes Inc. and designed by 4 Architecture Inc. It offers a local showcase of Sapphire's work.
Currently under construction, the development includes a five-storey condominium, two four-storey freehold townhouses, and three three-storey townhouse blocks. Located on the north side of Veteran's Drive in the Holly neighbourhood, Rainwater aims to offer residents comfort, style, and environmental consciousness.
One of the primary goals for Sean Mason Homes was to ensure a smooth construction process through seamless information flow. Equally important was maintaining sustainability without sacrificing the artistic vision crafted by 4 Architecture Inc. This led to the decision to use Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) frames — a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials.
Incorporating balconies into a CLT structure presented a unique challenge. Traditional concrete balconies are heavy and not environmentally friendly, making them unsuitable for use with mass timber frames. The weight of concrete would impose undue stress on the CLT structure, and its unsustainable nature conflicted with the project's green objectives.
Sapphire provided an innovative solution with their lightweight, prefabricated balconies made from renewable aluminum. These balconies are light enough to be supported by the CLT frame and contribute to lowering the building's overall carbon footprint. The use of prefabricated units aligns with sustainability goals and streamlines the installation process, reducing on-site waste and construction time.
The balconies are connected to the CLT frame using a Tie-Rod connection system. This method involves small penetrations into the timber frame for a secure attachment with minimal deflection while preserving the integrity of the structure. The tie-rod connectors allow for precise installation and adjustment, contributing to the building's stability.
Each of the 55 balcony lifts will feature Sapphire's Aluminium Cassette® structure, mechanically assembled with stainless steel fixings. The balconies utilize composite decking in Aged Oak, providing residents with a durable and attractive outdoor space. Guarding is provided by laminated heat-strengthened glass with aluminum posts, offering safety without sacrificing views.
The balconies are crafted from folded uncoated aluminum, ranging in thickness from 2mm to 3mm. Each one is mechanically assembled using stainless steel fixings and features an electrically isolated clamp system which prevents electrical and galvanic corrosion. The balconies are equipped with a height adjustment swage terminal using stainless steel M16 tie-rod connectors, for precise vertical adjustments during installation.
Attention to detail extends to the soffits and fascias, with polyester powder-coated aluminum providing controlled drainage and a sleek finish. Screen-printed obscure bands with colour-matched visible fixings help to ensure privacy.
By replacing traditional concrete with renewable aluminum, the development reduces the load on the CLT frame and takes a substantial step toward lowering carbon emissions. Sapphire's Their prefabricated balconies demonstrate the potential for mass timber constructions to incorporate modern amenities using eco-friendly practices.
Residents and interested parties can look forward to the completion of Rainwater at 339 Veteran's Drive in the spring of 2025. Interested parties can read the Rainwater case study to learn more.
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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