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North York Modernist Favourites, Volume One.

by ERA Architects

In compiling the revised inventory for the North York’s Modernist Architecture Revisited publication, ERA staff traveled to each site and photographed the current condition of the building. Through this process a number of projects stood out and became quiet favorites, and over the next few weeks we’ll be highlighting a few of these under-appreciated, little-known buildings. These structures represent an...

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North York’s Modernist Architecture Forum

by ERA Architects

...the importance of modernist buildings, and many that were featured found their way onto the City’s Inventory of Heritage Properties. The updated document – available exclusively at the forum – will include the original in addition to new essays by the featured panelists and current photographs of a number of these buildings. Tuesday, October 27th 2009 Council Chamber, North York...

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ERA x Sweden

by ERA Architects

This month a number of ERAers took a trip to Sweden, in order to kick off a neighbourhood rejuvenation project at Semlal Lagerlöfs Torg in Gothenberg. Following the extensive site tour and project brief, the team visited precedent projects in Stockholm, Malmo and Copenhagen to view the latest in housing design and neighbourhood renewal from our Nordic cousins. The following...

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Concrete Toronto on spacing.ca

by ERA Architects

...and journalists. A number of Concrete Toronto articles will be republished as an online supplement to Spacing Magazine’s summer issue “Toronto Modernism: Stop the Hate!” The magazine advocates taking a closer look at our modernist heritage, and asks that we reevaluate and learn to take care of it as our city matures. To view this series, go to spacing.ca. To...

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Download North York’s Modernist Architecture

by ERA Architects

...similar to the hard-copy booklet which was distributed at the October 29th, 2009 forum on North York’s modernist architecture. We are happy to present it in electronic format, such that it may be accessed by the greatest number of people possible. A word of warning – the file is large (22mb), and may take a few minutes to download. Additionally,...

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Oleleshwa Primary School phase 1 Complete

by ERA Architects

...oversaw the construction of the school’s first classroom. Upon completion of the first classroom, enrollment was approximately 50 students. In the past year, this number has increased to over 200 students ranging from grades 1 to 3, all for whom Oleleshwa Primary School now provides free education. In recent months the government of Kenya has recognized the school as part...

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Eglinton Crosstown moves forward

by ERA Architects

...the Plan will be voted on by City Council and, we hope, move on to be implemented. Working with the team, ERA analyzed Eglinton to develop a number of adjacent and interacting ‘character areas’, which are described in detail to better understand the historical and contextual themes of specific stretches along Eglinton, and to provide guidance to inform their future...

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The Brick Works _ from academia to practice

by ERA Architects

Here at ERA, we seek to operate at the fine and blurred line between the realms of theory and practice. Two ERAers are currently teaching design studios at the Daniels School of Architecture at the University of Toronto, and a number of employees in the office have been able to continue working on large-scale projects that they originally investigated at...

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Lime Mortars for Traditionally Constructed Brickwork

by ERA Architects

...brickwork including colour washing, and tuck pointing. Dr. Lynch is an internationally acclaimed and highly respected historic brickwork consultant, master bricklayer, educator and author. He is considered the world’s leading authority of gauge brickwork, and affectionately known by the historic term ‘The Red Mason.” As quoted in a Toronto Star article covering the workshop, Dr. Lynch explained: “We were taught...

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Typical Toronto house conversion, multi-units in 3-storey house form.

The Missing Middle: Toronto’s Historic Building Typologies

by ERA Architects

...of gentle intensification in three ways: within existing building envelopes, through additions to existing buildings, and through a very small number of new builds. As planning policies evolve, we look forward to participating in more creative approaches to new construction of lower-scale multi-unit buildings, to continue to contribute in the gentle evolution of Toronto’s historic neighbourhoods to meet today’s needs....

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Cambium Farms barn and silo

Historic farmsteads drive a new rural cultural economy

by ERA Architects

...community need. ERA has had the opportunity to work closely with a number of these farmsteads and their owners in recent years. These property owners are looking for innovative adaptive reuse opportunities to help catalyze their local cultural economy by leveraging their heritage asset. ERA engages with these projects using the framework of the Historic Ontario Farmstead. The Historic Ontario...

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Allstream Centre _ restoration photographs

by ERA Architects

A few very quick photographs from the restoration of the former Automotive Building north lobby. This part of the project included the removal of a number of unsympathetic modern additions, and a significant regrading of the original floor slope to accommodate contemporary universal accessibility requirements. Extensive metal work and finishes were also replicated or restored (including the amazing pendant light...

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