Absolute Design Ideas Competition / Concours d'idées Design absolu
2005
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada- Domestic architecture
- Building
- Housing
This competition was organized by Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Development Group. Launched in Mississauga in December 2005, the premise was to conceptualize a residential tower that would be a new landmark for the city. Located on a prestigious site in the city's centre, the tower would complete the « Absolute Residential Community » and would enter into a dialogue with the other four towers being built for the project.
The program included between 460 and 520 residential units over 50 to 60 storeys. The first phase consisted of an ideas competition, through which six competitors were retained for the second phase.
The first phase produced five honourable mentions: Mangera Yvars Architects, Bertaux + Partners Architects, Donner & Sorcinelli Architects, CyrLAB, Claudio Nardi Architect, Cusimano Architect Incorporated, and Carleton University.
The second phase participants were: Zeidler Partnership Architects, Quadrangle Architects Limited, Rojkind Arquitectos, Boyarsky Murphy Architects, Studio MWM, and MAD office.
(CRC text)
The Master Plan suggests a built form that emphasizes intensity and diversity through the relationships between buildings, public spaces and the surrounding environment.
It is imperative that all spaces provide a welcoming and recognizable sense of place from the small scale of individual units and balconies, to the medium scale of common areas, to the larger scale of buildings nestled in the City Centre.
An important consideration is the ground plane and its relationship to the pedestrian environment. Residential units and active uses must front onto the street, to ensure a dynamic well inhabited streetscape. The proper design of front yards, doors and windows, will make the vicinity of the development an inviting and safe place to walk.
Given the residential use of the towers, it is important that the design of spaces provide a clear distinction between the public and private realms. Sidewalks and streetscapes for example are open to anyone. Whereas, front and back yards are distinctly private. The amenity spaces above the podium, should be of common use for residents, but sheltered from the public at large.
Evaluation Criteria:
*Distinctive architectural design.
*Responsiveness to the Master Plan.
*Creative design responses to the opportunities and constraints of the site.
*Careful consideration of the relationship of the building to streets and public spaces.
*Efficient and flexible floor areas and core layouts.
*Potential of design ideas to be implemented within the project schedule and construction budget.
*Excellence in presentation.
(From competition program)
The program included between 460 and 520 residential units over 50 to 60 storeys. The first phase consisted of an ideas competition, through which six competitors were retained for the second phase.
The first phase produced five honourable mentions: Mangera Yvars Architects, Bertaux + Partners Architects, Donner & Sorcinelli Architects, CyrLAB, Claudio Nardi Architect, Cusimano Architect Incorporated, and Carleton University.
The second phase participants were: Zeidler Partnership Architects, Quadrangle Architects Limited, Rojkind Arquitectos, Boyarsky Murphy Architects, Studio MWM, and MAD office.
(CRC text)
The Master Plan suggests a built form that emphasizes intensity and diversity through the relationships between buildings, public spaces and the surrounding environment.
It is imperative that all spaces provide a welcoming and recognizable sense of place from the small scale of individual units and balconies, to the medium scale of common areas, to the larger scale of buildings nestled in the City Centre.
An important consideration is the ground plane and its relationship to the pedestrian environment. Residential units and active uses must front onto the street, to ensure a dynamic well inhabited streetscape. The proper design of front yards, doors and windows, will make the vicinity of the development an inviting and safe place to walk.
Given the residential use of the towers, it is important that the design of spaces provide a clear distinction between the public and private realms. Sidewalks and streetscapes for example are open to anyone. Whereas, front and back yards are distinctly private. The amenity spaces above the podium, should be of common use for residents, but sheltered from the public at large.
Evaluation Criteria:
*Distinctive architectural design.
*Responsiveness to the Master Plan.
*Creative design responses to the opportunities and constraints of the site.
*Careful consideration of the relationship of the building to streets and public spaces.
*Efficient and flexible floor areas and core layouts.
*Potential of design ideas to be implemented within the project schedule and construction budget.
*Excellence in presentation.
(From competition program)