CoStar recently published an article titled “Architectural stars appear on the skyline of Canada's largest city — Toronto reaches a new level of global reach and ambition.”
What the article is talking about is a slew of iconic, under-construction projects designed by some of the world's most celebrated living architects. Namely, Forma by Frank Gehry (Los Angeles), One Delisle by Jeanne Gang (Chicago), KING Toronto by Bjarke Ingels (Copenhagen), as well as a handful of other noteworthy projects by some of the best local firms in Toronto.
It is no doubt an exciting moment. These are projects that, I think, the world will come to associate with our great city. They will strengthen the global brand of Toronto.
But let me also state the obvious: These projects are the result of a particular moment in time and a particular point in the last real estate cycle. They wouldn't exist today, irrespective of our level of ambition.
This is not to say that this calibre of project won't exist again in the future — it will. But for right now, these are special and differentiated architectural treasures that truly stand alone, showing us what is possible when we bet on the unknowable future.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) just announced its 2025 Architecture Award winners. This is a program that celebrate the best contemporary architecture in the US, spanning all scales and budgets.
Firstly, I'm obligated to share that Studio Gang won an award for its Kresge College Expansion at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This is a beautiful project consisting of 4 new mass-timber buildings — three residential halls and an academic center — in the middle of a redwood forest in northern California.
But since we talk a lot about housing on this blog, I also wanted to highlight two projects by Brooks + Scarpa. The first is 11NOHO in North Hollywood, CA. This is a 5-storey apartment consisting of 60 suites, 12 of which are affordable (which allowed for a density bonus).
One of the many arguments that Brian Potter makes in this recent article called "Why Skyscrapers Became Glass Boxes" is that most people don't really care about the exterior of buildings. Hence one of the reasons why the market moved toward ever-greater architectural simplicity.
He quotes the late Chicago-based developer James Loewenberg:
“The person who looks to buy or rent a unit in a high-rise,” says Loewenberg, “only cares about three things: the location of the building, the layout of their unit, and the view from their unit. They don’t care as much about the physical appearance of the building and it is my contention that they never really look above the third floor…”
But I don't think this is exactly true. Also, Loewenberg was the founder of Magellan Development, which is responsible for developing two Studio Gang-designed towers: the Aqua Tower and the Vista Tower (now the St. Regis Chicago). Both of these buildings are designed for people who might look above the third floor.
For more on this topic, here and here are two related posts.
CoStar recently published an article titled “Architectural stars appear on the skyline of Canada's largest city — Toronto reaches a new level of global reach and ambition.”
What the article is talking about is a slew of iconic, under-construction projects designed by some of the world's most celebrated living architects. Namely, Forma by Frank Gehry (Los Angeles), One Delisle by Jeanne Gang (Chicago), KING Toronto by Bjarke Ingels (Copenhagen), as well as a handful of other noteworthy projects by some of the best local firms in Toronto.
It is no doubt an exciting moment. These are projects that, I think, the world will come to associate with our great city. They will strengthen the global brand of Toronto.
But let me also state the obvious: These projects are the result of a particular moment in time and a particular point in the last real estate cycle. They wouldn't exist today, irrespective of our level of ambition.
This is not to say that this calibre of project won't exist again in the future — it will. But for right now, these are special and differentiated architectural treasures that truly stand alone, showing us what is possible when we bet on the unknowable future.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) just announced its 2025 Architecture Award winners. This is a program that celebrate the best contemporary architecture in the US, spanning all scales and budgets.
Firstly, I'm obligated to share that Studio Gang won an award for its Kresge College Expansion at the University of California, Santa Cruz. This is a beautiful project consisting of 4 new mass-timber buildings — three residential halls and an academic center — in the middle of a redwood forest in northern California.
But since we talk a lot about housing on this blog, I also wanted to highlight two projects by Brooks + Scarpa. The first is 11NOHO in North Hollywood, CA. This is a 5-storey apartment consisting of 60 suites, 12 of which are affordable (which allowed for a density bonus).
One of the many arguments that Brian Potter makes in this recent article called "Why Skyscrapers Became Glass Boxes" is that most people don't really care about the exterior of buildings. Hence one of the reasons why the market moved toward ever-greater architectural simplicity.
He quotes the late Chicago-based developer James Loewenberg:
“The person who looks to buy or rent a unit in a high-rise,” says Loewenberg, “only cares about three things: the location of the building, the layout of their unit, and the view from their unit. They don’t care as much about the physical appearance of the building and it is my contention that they never really look above the third floor…”
But I don't think this is exactly true. Also, Loewenberg was the founder of Magellan Development, which is responsible for developing two Studio Gang-designed towers: the Aqua Tower and the Vista Tower (now the St. Regis Chicago). Both of these buildings are designed for people who might look above the third floor.
For more on this topic, here and here are two related posts.
The second is the Rose Mixed-Use Apartments in Venice, CA. This one is a 4-storey apartment and is 100% affordable. I'd like to know how they got the pro forma to work, but regardless, it's proof that Europe doesn't have a monopoly on beautiful social housing projects.
What I really wanted to point out, though, are the projects' courtyards. Southern California has a rich history of courtyard buildings and these two projects offer a contemporary interpretation of this tradition. Both include an elevated courtyard and both have found a way to maintain a connection to the street.
What I like about this approach is that it's simultaneously extroverted (there's a connection to the broader urban context) and introverted (residents get a semi-private amenity).
I think this duality can be particularly helpful when you're designing and developing in a context that maybe isn't the most conducive to intimate urban spaces. It allows you to create your own new ground plane, while not turning your back on the city.
Coincidentally, it also happens to be one of the design moves that Globizen put forward in a recent submission to Salt Lake City for the redevelopment of a full city block in the Granary District.
Photos from Brooks + Scarpa
The second is the Rose Mixed-Use Apartments in Venice, CA. This one is a 4-storey apartment and is 100% affordable. I'd like to know how they got the pro forma to work, but regardless, it's proof that Europe doesn't have a monopoly on beautiful social housing projects.
What I really wanted to point out, though, are the projects' courtyards. Southern California has a rich history of courtyard buildings and these two projects offer a contemporary interpretation of this tradition. Both include an elevated courtyard and both have found a way to maintain a connection to the street.
What I like about this approach is that it's simultaneously extroverted (there's a connection to the broader urban context) and introverted (residents get a semi-private amenity).
I think this duality can be particularly helpful when you're designing and developing in a context that maybe isn't the most conducive to intimate urban spaces. It allows you to create your own new ground plane, while not turning your back on the city.
Coincidentally, it also happens to be one of the design moves that Globizen put forward in a recent submission to Salt Lake City for the redevelopment of a full city block in the Granary District.
Photos from Brooks + Scarpa
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