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ERA Architects

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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

...his graphic design work—using colour gradients to present design possibilities—and turned it into a mapping exercise, pulling elements from the existing, physical world.  “I liked it because it does produce a very clear visual of these thumbnailed colours on the streetscape. When appropriate, we plan to use this approach a lot more often,” Carl says.  The result is something that...

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New Approaches to Heritage Documentation

by ERA Architects

University College is the founding college at the University of Toronto and the oldest building on the St. George campus. Built in the Romanesque-Revival style by Cumberland & Storm, when opened in 1859 it was among the most important buildings in the country. In 1968 this status was further confirmed with the building’s designation by the national historic sites and...

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62 – 64 Charles Street: The Lost Craft of Tuck-pointing Returns

by ERA Architects

...simulate the appearance of narrow joints. The actual joint is disguised with a flush mortar tinted to appear similar to the colour of masonry units. A joint like groove (the tuck) is often cut into this flush joint. Then mortar of a contrasting colour is added onto the flush joint and into the groove and is shaped and trimmed into...

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People

Lisa Prosper, ERA, and cultural landscapes

by Michael McClelland, principal

...the opportunity to pursue an approach to understanding place in a fulsome way, one that can include Indigenous Peoples and their worldviews. This approach applies as much to urban centres as it does to the vast northern tundra.  MM: What are some of the ways you’d like to further this work at ERA?  LP: ERA is a very dynamic and...

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In-House Experts: Barrier-Free Design and Heritage Buildings

by ERA Architects

...entrances often are only accessible by stairs, they have heavy doors without automatic operators, the washrooms don’t accommodate wheelchair users, the stairs don’t have the tactile and colour-contrasting nosing that aid users with low-vision in navigating them. Improving upon our heritage fabric to create a more accessible environment requires a careful and sensitive approach. Whereas a barrier-free approach to a...

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Toronto Zoning Reform to Empower Apartment Neighbourhoods

by admin

As part of ongoing work on Tower Neighbourhood Renewal, the Centre for Urban Growth and Renewal (CUG+R) has been working with partners United Way Toronto and the City of Toronto to establish a new approach to zoning that will enable Toronto’s hundreds of Apartment Neighbourhoods to emerge as more complete and better-served communities. This work has recently taken a significant...

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In-House Experts: Heritage Mortars 101 & Heritage Interiors

by ERA Architects

...to replicate the original appearance of the tinted plaster faux travertine with paint and provide a unified appearance. Her presentation focused on the development of the paint technique and colour selection for the imitation travertine surfaces that honour the original design intent. The colours for the faux travertine were derived from analysis of the original tinted plaster. The painted technique...

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Colour Washing, Stopping, and Penciling

by Andrew Pruss

We have observed that on many buildings from the Victorian period in Toronto there is a finishing application that is often original to the building construction. This finish includes a coloured pointing of the joints (stopping), a staining of the surface (colour washing) and the application of a slim and regular representation of mortar joints that replicates fine, gauged brickwork...

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ERA annonce ses nouveaux associés à Montréal
News & Events

ERA annonce ses nouveaux associés à Montréal | ERA Announces New Leadership in Montréal

by ERA Architects

...notre engagement à l’endroit de nos collaborateurs locaux, en appui à diverses initiatives architecturales et culturelles. Ève est architecte sénior spécialisée en conservation et conseillère en patrimoine culturel. Elle s’est jointe à ERA en 2018, et y a mené plusieurs projets et études patrimoniales, dont l’étude de l’îlot Bonsecours. Elle collabore également au projet du Nouveau Vic et à la...

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The Red Mason

by ERA Architects

...“The Red Mason.” These one- and two-day workshops, held at the Evergreen Brick Works, covered such topics as historical mortar recipes, traditional forms of jointing and pointing, and various brick and mortar finishing techniques. Knowledge of these historic forms and practices is essential to repairing heritage brickwork, as the appropriate recipe and application of mortar can make a major impact...

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What do architects do?

by Michael McClelland

...idea of architecture as a monument forever holding meaning and veers towards architecture as something that is intrinsically mute. Architecture may have cultural meaning only as an interested community applies it, from time to time. Why and how do we apply meaning to architecture? The publication of Concrete Toronto by ERA and Coach House Books (edited by Graeme Stewart and...

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Edwin recieves RAIC fellowship

by admin

...contractors as being modest and mild-mannered, yet devoutly committed to the highest standards of design and construction. His approach to restoring and conserving Canada’s built heritage incorporates the architectural, historic and social value of the building and its surrounding environment. This sensitive, yet pragmatic approach reflects Edwin’s integrity and his commitment to architecture and the story it tells about our...

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