Project Details:
Location: 1099 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Type: Commercial – Public
Architects: AUDAX architecture inc. – www.audax.ca
Project Year: 2011
Project Size: 2,500 m2
The redevelopment of the Shops of Summerhill is comprised of a contemporary addition to an existing group of heritage commercial structures.
The project provided a unique opportunity to create an urban pedestrian environment which promotes human interaction throughout the site. The design of the new addition takes cues from the original structures by creating a modulated threshold between the public and semi public spaces.
There are spaces for gathering such as the patio; spaces defining entry points such as areas under the canopies; and spaces for spontaneous use such as displaying goods along the building edges. All of these offer users the opportunity to slow their pace, pause for a moment and reflect upon their surroundings.
This diverse experience by the pedestrian is matched by the diversity of material elements of the facade which are all broken down into components based on the human scale.