BNKC Newsletter – February 2020

February 4, 2020

 

 

We’ve jumped head-first into the new decade feeling inspired and ready to take on the year. Without delay, here’s a peek into what’s on our minds these days.

Project Feature
Bringing Density to Danforth Avenue

2720 Danforth Avenue is a smartly-designed, purpose-built rental building in an area of Toronto that is only now beginning to experience significant infill – density that’s in high demand along this transit-rich corridor.



Containing 81 units, the building mixes retail with residential. The façade is masonry with a rhythm of punched windows, and incorporates one of Toronto’s first inns, The White House Hotel (1782), into the design.

This project is currently undergoing City rezoning and site plan approval. View the project details on our website and stay tuned for more news in the future.

Design Writings
Purposefully Designed Purpose-Built Rental



Till now, the City has largely focused on one of only two typologies when it comes to the development of its housing stock: condos and low-rise developments – both focused on ownership.

As housing prices slip further from reach, it’s clear this approach is failing to meet the needs of Toronto’s population. As such, the desire for rental accommodation is rapidly increasing.

We have over a half-dozen purpose-built rental projects in the works; including 15 Chisholm Ave, 2720 Danforth Ave, and 5509 Dundas. As we continue to forge ahead in this growing sector, we’ve collected some key insights we’d like to share.

We’ve broken it down into a top-five overview of how designing purpose-built rental differs from condo development. Read the full story here.

By the Numbers
Purpose-Built Rental at BNKC



People Profile
Natalia Bakaeva

This January, DesignTO mounted inspiring exhibits in the city’s many nooks and crannies. BNKC architect, Natalia Bakaeva, who is one-half of design collective Interspatial, participated with an installation at 55 St. Clair West.

Inverted Valleys explores the topography of Toronto’s ravine system. It inhabits underused spaces in the city, encouraging viewers to consider the importance of our natural systems and the forgotten in-between places in our built environment.

Created from more than 10,000 acrylic rods, the suspended sculpture incorporates LED lighting to trace the path of the Don River. Inverted Valleys was featured in a sold-out tour during DesignTO and received rave reviews from visitors and critics.

Natalia joined BNKC in November 2019 as an Architectural Designer. She holds Master of Architecture and Urbanism from London Metropolitan University in the UK and post-graduate certification in Construction Management from Centennial College in Toronto. At BNKC she’s working on a few of our exciting projects including 5509 Dundas Street, a purpose-built rental high-rise tower in Etobicoke.

Our team has been enriched by Natalia’s passion for design. Her artistic perspective and ability to tell visual stories is inspiring, as is her friendly nature and willingness to go the extra mile for her craft. Just last month, Natalia became an officially licensed architect with the OAA. Congratulations, Natalia!

In the News
Treehugger.com – East City Condos

“It’s exciting to see the rise of hipsturbias, the densification of suburbs, and the revitalization of formerly industrial cities”, says Lloyd Alter about BNKC’s  East City Condo project on Treehugger.com. Read the whole article here.

 

 

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