On Sept. 16, Toronto-based Quadrangle Architects won three awards for its renovation and expansion of 60 Atlantic Avenue, a 115-year-old heritage property in Toronto’s Liberty Village neighbourhood for client, Hullmark Developments Ltd.: a Toronto Urban Design Award; an ARIDO Award; and an Architect’s Journal Retrofit Award from London, U.K.
The project 60 Atlantic boasts a unique approach to historic preservation and sets a precedent for adaptive reuse and mixed-use intensification in Toronto’s formerly industrial neighbourhoods. A contemporary Corten steel and glass service core visually slices into the original facade, authentically updating the heritage building with a spirit that honours the area’s industrial vernacular and supports the neighbourhood’s new internationally connected, creative community.
A newly excavated outdoor courtyard and accessible main entrance transform the intersection into a dynamic hub that serves and strengthens the young community.
Landscaping and a “60” supergraphic, by local artist Pascal Paquette, soften the brick and activate the building’s edges along Liberty Street and Jefferson Avenuce creating engaging streets that enhance the pedestrian experience and foster a vibrant public realm.
The updated design and materials visually illustrate the building’s history. Where reconstruction and restoration were required, new grey brick was used, contrasting with the original buff brick. This augmented the building’s brick stratum, which through changing materials already told the story of its transformation over a century.
On the interior, an artistic film with a historic map of the neighbourhood draws on the site’s past to provide shade and privacy for its users.
Reflecting on this recognition Richard Witt, principal at Quadrangle declared, “We are overwhelmed to receive these three awards recognizing the project’s urban contribution and unique approach to adaptive reuse on the same night. We are encouraged by the growing support for investing in the latent value of the city’s existing building stock.”
ABOUT THE TORONTO URBAN DESIGN AWARDS
The Toronto Urban Design Awards, administered by the Civic Design team within City Planning’s Urban Design section, acknowledge the significant contribution that architects, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, and city builders make to the look and livability of the city. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the awards that were announced and celebrated on Sept.16 at a ceremony and reception at the Palais Royal in downtown Toronto.
Quadrangle was presented with a Toronto Urban Design Award in the low-scale buildings in context category.
ABOUT THE AJ RETROFIT AWARDS
The AJ Retrofit Awards, presented by Architects Journal, set a benchmark for creative excellence across the commercial, public and private sectors in the U.K., rewarding the best work and the brightest thinking. Winners of these prestigious awards are determined through a rigorous judging process by a panel of the industry’s elite who represent the gold standard in retrofit excellence. The awards were presented on Sept. 16, at an awards gala at The Brewery in London, England.
Quadrangle was presented with the AJ Retrofit Award for International Innovation.
ABOUT THE ARIDO AWARDS
The awards given by the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO) Awards showcase excellence, innovation and originality in interior design.
Since 1982, ARIDO has been recognizing the exceptional work of ARIDO members with this annual awards program that also serves to raise public awareness of the power an effect of interior design among the Ontario public. The 2015 ARIDO Awards were presented at a Gala that took place on Sept. 16 at The Hilton Toronto Hotel.
Quadrangle was presented with the ARIDO Award in the restoration and adaptive reuse category.
For more information about Quadrangle Architects please visit: www.quadrangle.ca/