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Stories

The Cinesphere at Ontario Place

Ontario Place and the value of cultural heritage sites

by ERA Architects

...its community. Many times, this kind of social importance is combined with a more traditional heritage value, and a site has design, historic and cultural significance. Ontario Place is one of these spaces. In 2014, Ontario Place was added to the List of Provincial Heritage Properties. At the time, the province approved its statement of cultural value that detailed its...

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The importance of a heritage designation

by ERA Architects

...(because it’s a designated heritage building), and under Section 111 of the City of Toronto Act, which concerns the demolition of rental properties. But the council also recommended that a demolition permit be approved under Section 33 of the Planning Act (which concerns residential properties, irrespective of whether they’re rental properties), subject to eight very strict conditions — one of...

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Three rows of thumbnail image squares show the overall colour palette of neighbouring buildings on a streetscape

Dressing The Webster

by ERA Architects

...the local waterfowl there, paints their stores a hot flamingo pink. Given the new store’s location in an HCD, that particular shade was not going to be permitted, so a happy medium in line with the local character had to be arrived upon and approved.  There is precedent within the District for painted brick, but the HCD guidelines stipulate “paint...

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Michael McClelland at the Getty: Toronto Towers

by ERA Architects

...in late 2012 the city approved a new zoning category, developed in partnership with United Way, Public Health and City Planning, that will replace the current zoning occurring in Toronto’s tower apartment neighbourhoods. This new Residential Apartment Commercial (RAC) zoning will unfreeze the very strict zoning envelopes that currently exist and allow for an environment that can be “dynamic and...

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Hamilton‘s Durand Built Heritage Inventory project paper has been published by the ISPRS

by ERA Architects

...in the city’s inventory and incorporated the use of historic context statements that aide in identifying properties that contribute to the unique qualities and character of a neighbourhood. The inventory has informed funding programs, provided context for designations and educated the public. In a continuation of this process, Hamilton City Council recently approved ERA’s recommendations for the Durand Neighbourhood Inventory....

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Ideas & Issues

Storefronts and urban evolution: Q&A with Shannon Clayton 

by Alessandro Tersigni

...elements were on the ground floor because that’s where people have the most interaction with the architecture. Today, street-level design is so optimized that it’s become an afterthought.  Condo at Bay St. and St. Joseph St., Toronto, by Shannon Clayton AT: Do you think the advent of online commerce had anything to do with that paradigm shift?  SC: I don’t...

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The community that could: The Storefront shares its story

by ERA Architects

...and assumptions, and practical strategies for several important success factors, including: Resident-tenant working relationships Youth engagement Community design process New site amenities, and Next steps It’s a wonderful success story and an excellent resource for all of us working on the ground towards Tower Renewal projects that make a difference! Download the complete pdf from the Storefront online.    ...

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Designed landscapes: Ground Magazine

by ERA Architects

...conservation, and argues that designed landscapes need more sensitive conservation tools, professional advocacy, and public education. With better tools and heightened awareness, McClelland writes, we can prevent the degradation and devaluation that so often occurs in landscape situations, and begin to champion these spaces as important cultural resources for our cities and communities. View the full issue of Ground online....

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The new Standard

by ERA Architects

Graeme is featured on the cover of the brand new Toronto Standard online daily news portal, with an extensive interview covering the Tower Neighbourhood Renewal initiative. This is a 20-year project. We’re talking about a huge number of buildings, hundreds of neighbourhoods and over a million [residents]. It’s about a gradual process of improvement. For now, it’s working in specific...

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Toronto the Good 2010 _ Intinerary

by ERA Architects

...Architecture in Toronto Shawn Micallef Stroll: Psychogeographic Walking Tours of Toronto NFB Filmmaker-in-residence Katerina Cizek The Thousandth Tower web documentary Please note: the Authors at Harbourfront reading is a ticketed event – Admission $8 Tickets available online here, or in person at the Harbourfront box office. 7:45 to 9:00pm Catered Food and BBQ provided by David Vallee Free 8:30 to...

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The Ward: A new book, UPDATE

by ERA Architects

...the finest contemporary Canadian writers with practitioners from digital media and other art forms. Tickets for the festival are available online through Eventbrite. May 7, 6:30pm – The festival begins with an Opening Pub Night celebrating contemporary cultural production. Location: CSI Annex 720 Bathurst St., Toronto. May 10, 7:00pm – 9:00pm – Hosted by Gerry Flahive, the closing panel of...

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Refreshing Allan Gardens

by ERA Architects

...of Spacing Magazine online or at your local newsstand outlet. To learn more about the Allan Gardens Refresh – a vision document produced by FOAG in partnership with the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation Division – visit friendsofallangardens.ca Allan Gardens feature image courtesy of Brent Wagler. Workshop image curtesy of ERA Architects. Spacing cover image courtesy of spacing...

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