UPCOMING INNOVATIVE ARCHITECTURAL PROJECTS IN CANADA

From groundbreaking passive building design to redefining the affordable housing model, Canadian architecture has never looked so good – or been so exciting.

From east to west, every city has its own needs, styles, and initiatives. What we build here is a reflection of who we are, and these six current and upcoming projects illustrate that we care about our people, our environment and creating a human-made landscape that’s as varied and beautiful as our natural landscape.

Most importantly, we care about the community.

What’s the point in having amenity-filled neighborhoods and sky-high towers if we can’t enjoy them together?

East Village Revitalization (Calgary, Alberta)

Photo Credit: Calgary Municipal Land Corporation

Most individuals in the design and construction industry know the mark of a vibrant city is a “happening” downtown core, which is why investors from both the public and private sectors are coming together on Calgary’s East Village revitalization project.

Intent on turning the city’s business-oriented core into an accessible, bustling community, the project covers a 120-acre area.

With a master plan that includes the development of condo towers, a museum, a library, pedestrian bridges, public art and more, East Village is already well on its way to becoming a Calgary hot spot.

Londonderry Affordable Housing Redevelopment (Edmonton, Alberta)

Photo Credit: Alberta Government

Affordable housing remains a concern in every major Canadian city. However, with its fresh, modern exterior and a new approach to integrating affordable homes with community-friendly amenities, the Londonderry Affordable Housing Redevelopment is set to redefine the concept of “social housing.”

Edmonton’s Capital Region Housing Corporation has planned a project that could act as a template to update rundown affordable housing complexes. Set to open in 2019, the revitalization includes 240 suites, a large public outdoor courtyard, indoor community space and amenities for the whole neighbourhood. To the design’s credit, not a single community member has stepped forward to oppose the project and instead feedback on the proposal has been wholly positive.

The One (Toronto, Ontario)

Photo Credit: blogTO

A building would have to be pretty special to live up to a name like “The One.” Thankfully, the proposed 306.3 metre Toronto skyscraper will earn that title by becoming the tallest building in all of Canada upon its projected 2022 completion.

Located at the intersection of Yonge and Bloor and designed by London-based architectural firm Foster and Partners, the tower will feature an elaborate zigzag design up its glass-ensconced exterior. The first seven storeys will be designated for retail, while the remaining floors leave room for a variety of residential units – with suite sizes ranging from 581 to 5700 square feet.

Sapperton Green (New Westminster, British Columbia)

Photo Credit: New Westminster 

A 38-acre site in southeast New Westminster is about to get a lot more eco-friendly with the construction of a sustainable and transit-oriented master planned community. Sapperton Green is touted as compact, with public areas such as a large park and commercial/retail hub acting as integral parts of the design.

An emphasis on pedestrian and cycling connections to surrounding green areas and active streets will help keep carbon emissions from vehicles down. And access to surrounding natural environments, like the Brunette River Greenway, further the goal of the design team – which includes Vancouver-based architects MCM Partnerships – to create a neighbourhood that is as connected to nature as it is to the rest of the city.

Stantec Tower (Edmonton, Alberta)

Photo Credit: Edmonton Journal

The 250 metre tall Stantec Tower has had Edmontonians buzzing since the project was first announced. Not only will the building house the headquarters of Stantec, a company that has grown from a one-man operation to a multi-billion dollar international organization, but will also consist of retail space and 454 condominium units.

The building, which is designed to achieve LEED Gold standards, employs eco-conscious features such as the use of greywater, passive design strategies and a high-tech system to monitor optimization of energy and water consumption performance. With architecture by Stantec, set to open in 2018, the 62-storey, 800,000 square foot tower has already been labelled as an iconic Edmonton landmark.

 Tower 2.0 (Vancouver, British Columbia)

Photo Credit: Vancouver Sun

This two-tower project is positioned to become a beacon for passive high-rises in Canada. Tower 2.0 aims to take the skyscraper model Vancouver has become known for and elevate it to the next level. Passive buildings must pass rigorous benchmarks in order to achieve certification by the Germany-based Passive House Institute – including an airtight envelope and effective use of sun and shade.

Architectural firms Robert A.M. Stern and MCM Partnerships designed the towers to pay homage to two of the city’s most notable buildings – the Marine Building and Hotel Vancouver. Once constructed, Tower 2.0 would be the tallest passive building in the world.