ARCH 09 - Leafscape Towers

The primary intention of this capstone project is to create a proposal for a redevelopment of a mixed-use lot in downtown Toronto. The project must include a high-rise condo tower, a shorter apartment building with subsidized rental units, and a mixed commercial building at the ground floor. The City of Toronto is looking to intensify its neighbourhoods and redevelop underused areas, especially brownfields. Brownfield, an underutilised industrial space, presents a perfectly sustainable development opportunity. “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is a common phrase in our lives when it comes to waste, but it should also be considered when it comes to architecture.

Leafscape Towers sits on 177 Front Street, Toronto. The proposed project is a multi-use building consisting residential, commercial, and recreational spaces of the following: a 3-storey podium building with a grocery store, office space, retail units, lobbies, daycare centre, health clinic, and other uses. A high-rise condo building with 40 storeys of market rate condominium units. A secondary apartment building with 15 storeys of subsidized apartment units for supporting lower income residents. An underground parking garage with 3 levels of parking, covered bicycle parking, accessible parking, and EV charging.

The primary design concept driving Leafscape Towers is the bridging of the divide between urban textures and nature. The massing of the condo tower is designed in a way to resemble a leaf shape, especially from above. The upper portions of both towers feature prominent green facades to mimic a natural colour and oppose what would typically be seen along the Toronto skyline. The lower portion of the towers, and the podium structure, feature Toronto’s classic red brick and stone masonry veneer to keep continuity with the surrounding neighbourhood and adhere to the intent behind the City of Toronto Official Plan and Design Guidelines. However, the podium building does include large curtainwall systems to bring a modern feel to the space, integrate more sunlight and outdoor views, and stand out among the neighbours.

The primary structure of the building consists of cast-in-place concrete structural slabs atop concrete or steel columns. The structure sits atop a raft foundation with layers of mud slabs, thick structural slabs, and engineered fill. The raft foundation negates the requirement for any foundation drainage systems. The primary building facades consist of a mix between brick and stone veneer, steel architectural panels, and curtain wall systems. The roofs are a mix between green roof areas and accessible flat roof structures with precast pavers.