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Architecture

Waterfront high-rise would twist to maximize the view

By Adam Williams
March 14, 2016
Waterfront high-rise would twist to maximize the view
The building is envisioned for Toronto, Canada's Lakeshore region and would rise to 24 floors
The building is envisioned for Toronto, Canada's Lakeshore region and would rise to 24 floors
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Still in the proposal stage at present, the building is envisioned for Toronto's Bayside development
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Still in the proposal stage at present, the building is envisioned for Toronto's Bayside development
The concept's novel design derives from an attempt to ensure that the most people possible could enjoy the view toward the waterfront
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The concept's novel design derives from an attempt to ensure that the most people possible could enjoy the view toward the waterfront
Taking stock of an existing L-shaped plot, ODA first drew a basic boxy building rising to 13 floors, before rotating, twisting, and staggering its profile
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Taking stock of an existing L-shaped plot, ODA first drew a basic boxy building rising to 13 floors, before rotating, twisting, and staggering its profile
Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
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Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
The new design now calls for a 24-floor building with lake views available to 71 percent of its units
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The new design now calls for a 24-floor building with lake views available to 71 percent of its units
221 out of the 228 total units would also boast their own terraced space
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221 out of the 228 total units would also boast their own terraced space
Shared amenities include a communal terrace, pool area, and a large retail area on the first floor
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Shared amenities include a communal terrace, pool area, and a large retail area on the first floor
Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
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Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
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Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
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Render showing the design process and thinking behind the twisting high-rise
The building would comprise 228 units, most of which would enjoy a lakeside view
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The building would comprise 228 units, most of which would enjoy a lakeside view
The building is envisioned for Toronto, Canada's Lakeshore region and would rise to 24 floors
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The building is envisioned for Toronto, Canada's Lakeshore region and would rise to 24 floors
The unveiling of the proposal follows in the wake of ODA New York's East 44th Street tower, an ultra-skinny skyscraper
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The unveiling of the proposal follows in the wake of ODA New York's East 44th Street tower, an ultra-skinny skyscraper
ODA New York twisted, raised, and staggered the building's basic L-shaped profile, thus increasing the overall units with lake views to some 71 percent
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ODA New York twisted, raised, and staggered the building's basic L-shaped profile, thus increasing the overall units with lake views to some 71 percent
The building would also include amenities such as a large communal terrace, pool area, and a large retail area on the first floor
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The building would also include amenities such as a large communal terrace, pool area, and a large retail area on the first floor
View gallery - 15 images

When designing a residential building for a location with a great waterfront view, it's a good idea to maximize the number of occupants that can actually enjoy that view. ODA New York recently proposed a building for Toronto, Canada, that would do just that thanks to its novel twisting form inspired by the way plants follow the sun.

Currently in the proposal stage (and with no immediate plans to build), the building is envisioned as being part of Toronto's Bayside development. ODA began with a plan for a basic L-shaped building, before raising, staggering, and twisting its profile by 45 percent.

ODA says that in all, some 71 percent of the 24-story building's units would enjoy a view to the waterfront. This compares to what the firm says would otherwise be around 25 percent with a typical design. The twisting design offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor areas too – some 68,550 sq ft (6,368) – and 221 out of the 228 units would feature a terraced area. Shared amenities include a large shared terrace, pool area, and a large retail area.

The unveiling of the proposal follows in the wake of ODA New York's East 44th Street tower, an ultra-skinny skyscraper
The unveiling of the proposal follows in the wake of ODA New York's East 44th Street tower, an ultra-skinny skyscraper

The proposal follows the firm's East 44th Street tower, an ultra-svelte skyscraper that will offer residents outdoor terraces in the sky, and both can be seen as part of ODA's larger aim to create flexible urban residential projects that boast more outdoor space than we might usually expect.

"We are leading a quiet but unyielding revolution to replace the dogma of resigned and compromised city living for one that enriches our lives," asserts Eran Chen, ODA New York's Founder and Executive Director. "We can and must rethink our reliance on the extruded big box concept and instead, design permeable residential buildings more as a collection of individual private homes. Restoring our relationship to nature within our most private spaces is a crucial element in maintaining both our physical and psychological well being."

Source: ODA New York

UPDATE (Mar. 14/16): Bayside's developer, Hines and Tridel, has informed us that ODA's proposal doesn't "reflect the intention of the developers or key stakeholders."

View gallery - 15 images

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ArchitectureBuilding and ConstructionConcept ArchitectureHigh-riseToronto
1 comment
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Adam scours the globe from his home in Spain in order to bring the best of innovative architecture and sustainable design to the pages of New Atlas. Most of his spare time is spent dabbling in music, tinkering with old Macintosh computers and trying to keep his even older VW bus on the road.

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ipjones
Oh great! Another way to block the lakefront from everyone else in Toronto. Thanks a bunch ODA New York.