architectsAlliance was named Toronto Community Housing’s design partner on the flagship first new affordable housing building to be erected in Regent Park. A five-person jury deliberated among the four proposals presented to the public on June 23 and announced the winner at a victory reception held at Regent Park Community Centre.
“This has been an exceptional competition that demonstrated the depths of talent, passion and commitment of the architectural teams," said Ken Greenberg, Jury Chair of the Regent Park design competition. "The winning scheme leaves lots of room for development with input from the community which has been so deeply engaged in planning the future of the new neighbourhood.”
According to jury members, the winning scheme is deeply rooted in the best Toronto practices, combining high quality building types in new and ingenious ways. architectsAlliance made exceptional strides in pushing the envelope on environmental sustainability. It will also contribute to pedestrian-friendly streets and a lively park edge.
The other competing firms were: Diamond & Schmitt Architects Inc.; Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg; and Kearns Mancini/ Montgomery Sisam. All submissions were required to illustrate a commitment to excellence in design and environmental sustainability, in support of Mayor David Miller’s Clean and Beautiful City initiative.
“All of the schemes have great merit – the quality of submissions set the bar high for future designs during Regent Park revitalization," said Derek Ballantyne, CEO, Toronto Community Housing. "This Phase 1 project is important for us because it will serve as a benchmark for the next 12 years of the area’s redevelopment.”
Redevelopment will proceed over the next 10-12 years in six phases, with Phase 1 scheduled to begin construction in 2006. Phase 1 covers four blocks in the area of Parliament, Oak, Sackville and Dundas Streets. It will translate to approximately 700 units of housing market, social housing and affordable ownership.
Three of the four blocks are currently the subject of an RFP to which five developers are responding. The fourth block will be developed by Toronto Community Housing, and includes the building featured in the design competition. It is the largest TCHC building in this phase and the first new building in Regent Park. The proposed building will be located in the northwest corner of Regent Park at Dundas and Sackville streets.
All five designs can be viewed at the Design Exchange until July 8, 2005.
The revitalization of Regent Park is the largest redevelopment of a social housing community in Canada. Located in east downtown, the 69-acre community is bordered by Parliament, Gerrard, River and Shuter streets.
For more information, please visit www.torontohousing.ca/news/ or contact Laurie Stephens of Toronto Community Housing at 416.981.4349 or at [email protected]