Laneways Archives - VAN ELSLANDER + ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS INC.

July 18, 2017

Curzon Lane Terraces

[vc_row][vc_column][qodef_custom_font font_family="Montserrat" font_size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="700" letter_spacing="-0.4" text_align="left" content_custom_font="Curzon Lane Terraces" color="#222222"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] With more than 500 km of laneway and unassumed roads, Toronto possesses a unique land resource for densification and an opportunity for innovative housing. A recent CMHC report on the subject suggests that there are over 5000 potential sites for new, affordable homes in Toronto laneways. These lanes are a result of 19th century city building. Historically, they provided secondary transportation routes, spaces for businesses and homes, and created an efficient, dense urban fabric. Until the 1950s residential and commercial use of laneways was common. Even today, hundreds of laneway dwellings are still in use. The laneway is a both a vital part of Toronto’s urban heritage, as well as its future. Curzon Lane Terrace is a model of laneway development with proposed densities and percentage of landscaped open spaces, similar to existing coverage conditions within the neighbourhood. Peyton Lane is a...

July 12, 2017

by vearchitects

Miles Lane

[vc_row][vc_column][qodef_custom_font font_family="Montserrat" font_size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="700" letter_spacing="-0.4" text_align="left" content_custom_font="Miles Lane" color="#222222"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] This project transforms an existing 300-square-foot 1910 cottage, located in a Toronto laneway, into a spacious, compact two-storey dwelling. The lateral and gravity loads of the second story addition are supported on a steel frame, which pierces the old cottage, and is tied to new interior concrete footings. The addition is then framed conventionally in wood. A folded plane wraps around the new interior, forming the faceted roof which is shaped to provide a generous interior volume, and to minimize shadow on neighboring properties. A rooftop clerestory with a generous overhang gathers heat from the winter sun and shades the interior in summer. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

July 11, 2017

by vearchitects

Egerton Lane

[vc_row][vc_column][qodef_custom_font font_family="Montserrat" font_size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="700" letter_spacing="-0.4" text_align="left" content_custom_font="Egerton Lane" color="#222222"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] Located on a complex and difficult to service urban laneway site, the three detached homes on Egerton Lane were completed in 2014. An extensive approvals process required creative thinking to achieve site servicing and municipal approvals. The result made the effort worthwhile. The homes enjoy the silence afforded by a quiet laneway, yet are well connected to the amenities of the surrounding downtown. Each of the three homes boast generous open concept living spaces spread over four floors with large windows and ample sunlight. A rooftop patio with views to nearby Alexandra Park and to downtown completes the package. Laneway housing has been widely covered recently in the media. Our project has been discussed both in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail. Follow the links to see the articles in their original context. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

July 18, 2017

by vearchitects

Peyton Lane Homes

[vc_row][vc_column][qodef_custom_font font_family="Montserrat" font_size="24" line_height="34" font_weight="700" letter_spacing="-0.4" text_align="left" content_custom_font="Peyton Lane Homes" color="#222222"][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vc_column_text] Peyton Lane Homes is an example of a sensitive and neighbourly laneway development. The proposed density and landscaped spaces are similar to the existing conditions within the area. Peyton Lane is a serviced laneway, with existing residential, commercial and institutional uses. The site of our proposal is currently occupied by three concrete block storage buildings and paving. The proposal provides three mid-sized homes sensitive to their context, and actively helps to form and improve the lane-scape. The proposed buildings are subordinate in height, mass and scale, to the surrounding street houses. The sloping roofs allow winter sunlight to penetrate the glazed south facade of the adjacent house. The rear garden introduces greenery and minimizes overlook and intrusion of privacy. The laneway façade is articulated vertically and horizontally. It is scaled to the width of the lane and the existing buildings on...