Urbanize Toronto’s Post

"The goal was to demonstrate that you can create a ‘long building’ of a single architecture, but execute it in a way that maintains a human scale through composition, rhythm, and detailing." We are all familiar with the historic architecture that defines the image of a typical Main Street: brick facades, ground floor retail, and upper floor housing. What if we started building like this again? Read here: https://lnkd.in/e_JhfdM7

🏡 Maximizing ROI on Rental Properties with Architectural Expertise: A Case Study of 31 Clifford Way At Saloria Architects, we thrive on turning challenges into opportunities. Our project at 31 Clifford Way demonstrates how strategic architectural interventions can significantly boost the commercial appeal of rental properties. 📈 The Challenge: Our client wanted to increase the rental income of their Art Deco Era family house without making it overly typical for the area. The key question was, why would a tenant pay more for a standard property? 💡 Our Solution: We proposed a targeted investment strategy. By refurbishing and adding a loft conversion, our client could achieve a 7% return on investment. This included: - Complete property refurbishment - Addition of a 44m² loft - Major internal alterations 🏠 Project Highlights: • The property is located, near Neasden underground station, amidst 1920s Art Deco properties. • Our design included enhanced living spaces, modern loft conversion, whilst being respectful of the original architecture. • Saloria successfully navigated complex planning processes, including ensuring the fire safety of the building and that the work carried out met the required building regulations. 🌟 Outcome: • The property's value and rental potential soared, offering the client an option to convert it into an HMO, potentially doubling the rent. • The triple storey garden elevation now boasts enlarged glazing, maximizing light and views over the London skyline. • The project, completed during COVID-19, was delivered on time and within budget, despite rising material costs and labor shortages. 🔧 Saloria’s Role: From conception to completion, we managed every stage: - Planning and design - Building regulations and site supervision - Tender process and construction phase support This project not only transformed 31 Clifford Way into a contemporary suburban villa but also demonstrated the power of strategic architectural investments. If you’re a landlord looking to enhance your property's ROI, get in touch with us to day either my calling 020 8451 7833 or click here https://lnkd.in/eTS8Fxxv and let’s discuss how Saloria Architects can help. #PropertyInvestment #PropertyRefurbishment #Architecture #ROI #SaloriaArchitects

CreateTO and the City of Toronto announced plans to maintain the facade of the former #Toronto Coach Terminal, originally built in 1931, while redeveloping the #building into both rental housing and a medical space.   Thursday's announcement revealed developers KILMER GROUP, LLC and Tricon Residential (Kilmer-Tricon) as the preferred proponents for the project, along with a team of architects including Chicago-based firm Studio Gang, local firms architectsAlliance and Smoke Architecture Inc., with acclaimed Montreal-based landscape architecture firm CCxA in charge of the public realm design. - via blogTO

I hope the sentiments about building a better ecosystem of an industry and city resonates with some, and hopefully more than just some. Thanks Stephen Velasco for a well written piece about this topic and project.

Super excited our proposal for a carefully crafted stone built mixed-use development at the entrance to Northampton, brought forward by the team at @iceni, has passed the validation stage and is set for committee in April. This development has been designed to enhance the southern gateway to Northampton with a finely crafted building of fifty-four high-quality apartments and ground floor commercial space. These are distributed across a future-proofed structure with dual cores and twin stairs, ranging from six to eight storeys, and featuring a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Importantly, 35% of these homes are planned to be affordable, highlighting a commitment to inclusive community development. Located at the town's entrance, the development has been designed to offer panoramic views of Northampton from its rooftop gardens, blending modern design with a nod to tradition. The design incorporates two interlocking blocks with a curved stone facade, a gesture towards the town’s historical stone-built buildings. Being close to a scheduled Ancient monument, the project was developed in close collaboration with heritage officers, aiming to set a precedent for future developments in the town centre. Our design approach respected Northampton's architectural heritage and anticipates its future needs. The facade, with its textured and smooth stone layers, is intended to complement both the local streetscape and nearby structures, including the Grade 1 listed St. Peter's Church. Sustainability has been a key aspect of the project, with features like rooftop gardens, renewable energy use, and carbon reduction strategies to create a healthier environment for residents. As we move forward, our focus is on positively impacting Northampton by providing contemporary living spaces, supporting job opportunities, and contributing to a welcoming new commercial area. We look forward to keeping you informed as the project progresses. Beautiful CGI’s by Blackpoint Design Ltd. Design Ltd  Planning and heritage Iceni Projects Civils by Herrington Consulting Ltd   #NorthamptonDevelopment #sustainabledesign #communitybuilding #mixedusedevelopment #regeneration #northampton #placemaking #housing #mixeduse #newbuild #newbuilding #stefanshawstudio

🏢 Residential-Commercial Building Completion🏢 Successful completion of a residential-commercial building, designed and executed over 4 phases. This project stands out with its unique facade, combining light and dark composite panels that mimic wood, creating a modern and exclusive appearance. Key Features: Phase A: 276 underground parking spaces. Phase B: 3 commercial spaces, 7 business apartments, and 58 residential units. Phase C: 5 commercial spaces, 15 business apartments, and 85 residential units with 36 parking spaces. Phase D: 4 commercial spaces, 7 business apartments, and 78 residential units with 3 surface parking spaces. The building offers 12 commercial spaces, 29 business apartments, 221 residential units, and 315 parking spots. The biggest challenge was meeting the urban planning requirements, which led us to create a multi-section structure that maximizes functionality and space. #Architecture #RealEstate #Construction #Design #UrbanDevelopment #ProjectCompletion #Bauprojekt

Trafford Gardens, a major residential development in Manchester, is set to bring 149 stylish apartments across two blocks to the city. Located on Talbot Road in the Civic Quarter of Trafford, it’s just a stone’s throw from Old Trafford Stadium and Lancashire County Cricket Ground, offering excellent connectivity to Manchester city centre and surrounding areas. Designed by Tim Groom Architects , this modern development includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with 33 designated as affordable housing. It also offers an office space and communal amenities, enhancing its community-focused design. The building is set to offer residents a rooftop garden and private courtyard, with excellent transport links nearby. The project is spearheaded by Linear Design & Construct, with Elite Aluminium Systems Limited providing the Aluprof systems for the development. These include MB-70US and MB-70US HI, offering high-performance solutions for the project. Set to complete in 2025, Trafford Gardens is expected to contribute positively to the housing demand in the area while offering residents a modern and sustainable living environment #AluprofUK #aluprof #AluprofAdvent2024 #architecture #construction #aluminiumglazing #aluminiumwindows #aluminiumdoors #curtainwalling #sustainability #advancedsystems

Exploring Architectural Innovation: Leeza SOHO by Zaha Hadid Architects Located in the heart of Beijing, the Leeza SOHO is an architectural marvel that redefines the urban landscape with its bold design and futuristic functionality. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, this skyscraper stands out for its impressive height of 207 meters and for housing the world’s tallest atrium, which extends up to 194 meters. The tower symbolizes innovation, split into two twisting sections that enclose a dynamic atrium spiraling as it rises. This feature is aesthetically significant and ingeniously solves structural challenges, seamlessly integrating the metro station in its basement. Leeza SOHO is also a pioneer in sustainability; it is equipped with geothermal energy systems to reduce its carbon footprint, and its double-skin façade optimizes energy saving and enhances interior comfort. This building is more than just a workplace; it is a statement of limitless possibilities in modern architecture. Leeza SOHO invites us to imagine how urban spaces can be transformed with creative boldness and environmental commitment. How do you think projects like Leeza SOHO can influence the future of architecture and urban planning? Is this the path towards more sustainable and functionally integrated cities?

Poundbury, Town in England ++ [create places that are beautiful] Poundbury is an influential urban development project located near Dorchester in Dorset, England, designed by architect Leon Krier. Its design principles embody a return to traditional urban design and reflect Krier's views on architecture and town planning. Here are some key urban design elements that make Poundbury special [learn from the town so others can hopefully duplicate its success]: -- 1. Human Scale: Krier emphasizes the importance of designing spaces that are pleasant and comfortable for human beings. Poundbury is designed with a human scale in mind, featuring buildings and streets that encourage walking and interaction among residents. -- 2. Mixed-Use Development: Poundbury integrates residential, commercial, and community spaces, promoting a vibrant, multifunctional environment. This mix of uses reduces the dependence on cars and fosters a sense of community. -- 3.Traditional Architectural Styles: The architecture in Poundbury reflects traditional styles, drawing inspiration from historical buildings and local vernacular. This creates a sense of place and continuity with the past. -- 4. Public Spaces and Squares: Krier emphasizes the importance of well-designed public spaces. Poundbury features communal squares and gardens where residents can gather, socialize, and participate in community activities. -- 5. Organic Growth and Layout: The layout of Poundbury is designed to evolve organically rather than adhering to rigid zoning laws. This approach allows for a more natural development pattern, mirroring the way traditional towns grew over time.

Good media coverage here on the resurgence of timber in urban architecture, highlighting the environmental, wellbeing and aesthetic benefits of mass timber construction and featuring the leadership of Built by Nature Frontrunners: The Black & White Building, designed by Waugh Thistleton Architects -- London's tallest mass timber office in Shoreditch, and the Paradise SE11 project, Bywater Properties’ six-storey, 63,400 sq ft timber office, currently under construction in Vauxhall... two examples of how the material is being successfully and visibly deployed in the UK capital. There's insightful commentary from Bywater co-founder and COO Theodore Michell in addressing insurability: "In our experience, the process has been complicated and technical, but not insurmountable. It has been more intensive and expensive than we would normally expect for a conventional building. But, in our judgment, not markedly. And certainly not to the point that the project is not is not viable." The wellbeing benefits to building occupants are also presented, and nice visuals support the architectural possibilities of desinging for mass timber. #masstimber #timberconstruction #biophilicdesign #decarbonisation