SvN Architects and Planners Inc.
110 Adelaide St. E, 4th Floor M5C 1K9 Toronto, ON, Canada

The Toronto 2015 Pan American Athletes’ Village occupies an 80-acre (32 hectares) site adjacent to the Don River and is considered a pivotal redevelopment of formerly industrial lands. Since 2015, the River City and Corktown Commonprecedent-setting urban park renowned for its programmatic and ecological restorative featureshave been built, along with several ongoing mixed-use developments. Our work included designing the original eight blocks of mixed-use residential housing, including market and affordable housing types.

SvN is proud to announce Principal Drew Sinclair's investiture into the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's College of Fellows. Established in 1941, the College of Fellows was established to strengthen and reinforce the RAIC's efforts to enhance and develop the profession of architecture in Canada. Fellowship in the RAIC is an honour conferred on members singled out for their research, scholarship, public service and professional contributions to architecture in Canada.... SvN Architects + Planners is proud of Drew Sinclair's dedication and leadership to livable, affordable and inclusive communities.

SvN Architects + Planners is proud to have been a vital contributor to the Uptown Brampton Transit-Oriented Communities Toolkit, an integrated solutions-based approach to urban design that recently received a 2021 CSLA Award of Excellence. This Toolkit was awarded to the City of Brampton and the Urban Land Institute Toronto District Council (in the Planning and Analysis category). It explores a collaborative city-building model to empower effective collaboration and alignment... among public sector, private sector, non-profit and local communities. SvN continues to foster a collaborative approach with the City and the RioCan Shoppers World Brampton team, seeking opportunities to optimize city-building and social, environmental and economic gain through Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and urban design solutions that prioritize the ability to walk to daily needs and destinations, thereby reducing the high cost of commuting and car-ownership.

March 8 is International Women's Day, a global day of recognition celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and girls. It is also about raising awareness of the work left to be done. SvN is proud to acknowledge the importance of women leadership and gender parity within our firm. Two of our Principals are women, and our office is currently 53% female. We are proud of our ongoing journey that includes an evolving culture and working on proj...ects that strive to improve the lives of women. This International Women’s Day, we recognize both the successes, and the many challenges that women face. A challenged world is an alert world. We're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions. Therefore, we all must continue to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. #internationalwomensday2021 #ChooseToChallenge

SvN would like to honour those who have made it possible to help us build a better world in 2020. The global pandemic has dominated our thoughts this year, along with its continued impact on poverty, homelessness, and mental health. It should not be surprising why these stressors have only fuelled ongoing frustrations of racism and social exclusion. We look to 2021 as a year of new opportunities for hope and healing. SvN acknowledges our many clients and colleagues who tirele...ssly work at helping communities thrive, especially over the past year. And we are thankful for the opportunity to have been able to work alongside them. We are donating to a select group of charitable organizations that we feel can most benefit from our support during this holiday season. They are as follows: Evangel Hall Mission #ehm1913 Fred Victor #fredvictorcentre Wigwamen #wigwamen_cultural WoodGreen Community Services #woodgreendotorg United Way Toronto #uwgreaterto YWCA Toronto #ywcatoronto The entire team of SvN wishes all of you and those you love a safe and healthy holiday season. Illustration by @urbsvidi . . . . . . #svn #holidayseason #holidaygreeting #happyholidays #tistheseason

Our new Yorkville reinvention at 162 Cumberland offers a cinematic experiencereflecting those who use this destination and pedestrian thoroughfare by adding a reflective, mirrored stainless-steel soffit ceiling to transform the space, especially at night, into a walkway conveying the illusion of infinite height. In consultation with @brucemaudesign @marcusoleniuk

Designed by SvN Architects and Planners, the 13-storey project was inspired by its location near the Humber River Valley Ravine, an area that exhibits unique landscaping, balconies that blur the lines between indoor and outdoor space in addition to improved public spaces.

SvN is excited to begin the next phase of readying additional space for DECIEM’s Clinical Research and Microbiology Labs in Toronto’s Liberty Village. This project initially began in 2015 with architect Rolf Seifert who tragically passed away in October 2019. SvN is proud to honour Rolf’s legacy by continuing with the renovation and adaptive re-use of this extraordinary industrial building. Originally constructed in 1908 for the Expanded Metal and Fireproofing Company, a seco...nd storey was added in 1930. The existing architecture is significant for using what was then a state-of-the art reinforced concrete frame and roof slab system with brick exterior walls and expansive windows that have been newly replaced and upgraded for its next chaptera bold space where DECIEM will continue to change the world of beauty based on their principle of doing everything others don’t do. . . . . #deciem #adaptivereuse #renovation #renovationproject #torontoarchitecture #libertyvillage #architecturedaily #archi_bricks #architexture #archilovers #industrialbuilding #svn See more

We are big in Cairo these days! New project coming up, shaped by the local climate, the sun, wind and water for a post-carbon era. Stay tuned! . . . .... . . #howwelivetogether #formfollowsclimate #connectivity #svn #cairoegypt #masterplanning #mixedusedevelopment #community See more

‘A case for compassionate design in housing standards at Toronto shelters’ in @spacingmagazine - written by SvN Intern Architect Naomi Shewchuk and Kellie Chin from @workshoparchto - examines some of the current design standards associated with homeless shelters and the critical lack of supply.

We are very proud to announce that our Intern Sing Chen recently won an Urban Design Honor Award from the American Association of Landscape Architects. @AmericanSocietyofLandscapeArchitects . . . Adaptive Traditions of Eastern Waterfront in Mumbai, India - Explores a unique form of documentation and captures the complex, dynamic, and intertwined spatial and material relationships of Mumbais Eastern Waterfront, which has a coexistence relationship with Koliwada village life, ...the areas unique ecological habitat, and heavy industry. . . . Congratulations Sing! . . . #studentasla #urbandesign #urbandesignaward #honoraward #nationalasla #aslaawards See more

Last week, we gathered John van Nostrands colleagues past and present, to celebrate his 40th anniversary in practice. It was a warm and happy evening with moving speeches by George Baird, Anna Dunets, Donald McKay (through video magic), Drew Sinclair, and John himself. Congratulations John! Heres to the next 40 years!

2008 - 2009 | Lawrence-Allen Revitalization Plan | Toronto, Ontario Located in Toronto’s Inner Suburbs, the Lawrence-Allen neighbourhood faced significant intensification pressures. Resulting in a comprehensive planning framework that identifies how intensification should occur along the Allen Expressway, John led an extensive stakeholder engagement program, which included negotiations with a number of landowners and developers, including the Toronto Community Housing Corpo...ration. The Recommended Plan improves the function of the street network and its ability to support a balanced transportation system by providing legible and direct routes. In addition to locating development in close proximity to existing subway stations, the Recommended Plan establishes convenient routes for community members to walk and cycle to and from the subway and provides good. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that he’s led over his illustrious career.

SvN is excited to begin the next phase of readying additional space for DECIEMs Clinical Research and Microbiology Labs in Torontos Liberty Village. This project initially began in 2015 with architect Rolf Seifert who tragically passed away in October 2019. SvN is proud to honour Rolfs legacy by continuing with the renovation and adaptive re-use of this extraordinary industrial building. Originally constructed in 1908 for the Expanded Metal and Fireproofing Company, a seco...nd storey was added in 1930. The existing architecture is significant for using what was then a state-of-the art reinforced concrete frame and roof slab system with brick exterior walls and expansive windows that have been newly replaced and upgraded for its next chaptera bold space where DECIEM will continue to change the world of beauty based on their principle of doing everything others dont do. . . . . #deciem #adaptivereuse #renovation #renovationproject #torontoarchitecture #libertyvillage #architecturedaily #archi_bricks #architexture #archilovers #industrialbuilding #svn See more

Last week, we gathered John van Nostrand's colleagues past and present, to celebrate his 40th anniversary in practice. It was a warm and happy evening with moving speeches by George Baird, Anna Dunets, Donald McKay (through video magic), Drew Sinclair, and John himself. Congratulations John! Here's to the next 40 years!

2019| 468-76 James North | Hamilton, Ontario Parcel Developments inaugural project is a condominium for households earning annual incomes ranging from $25,000 and $120,000. Each of the six residential floors is divided into 250-square-feet lots (e.g., the size of a standard hotel room). Potential owners can purchase 1-4 Lots as either basic (legally habitable) or turnkey (fully completed) condition. .... Once lots are selected, Parcel erects their new party walls and occupants of basic units can manage the completion of their dwelling units at their own pace. By combining lots, owners can design their own studio (250 sf), 1-bedroom (500 sf), 2-bedroom (750 sf), or 3-bedroom (1,000 sf) units within the condominium. Those who purchase two lots (500 sf) or more, can also elect to partition one, two, or three lots off as a rental unit(s) to help finance their mortgage. The building frame provides every lot with comparable access to mechanical and electrical services. Lots are individually titled - so that owners can buy or sell individual parcels over time, as their household evolves and changes. Six, two-storey live/work units are located at the base of the building on Ferrie Street, along with potential commercial/retail storefronts for new businesses on James Street. Credit: Office Architecture, in association with SvN. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, SvN be sharing notable projects from the past four decades, all of which were led by John.

2014 | IOL Lands, Inuit Housing Development | Iqaluit SvN was commissioned by the Qikqtaaluk Development Corporation to prepare development plans and related Inuit housing for over 40 acres of designated Inuit-Owned Lands (IOL) that are strategically located between Iqaluit and its Airport. This included engagement with Inuit households currently living elsewhere within Iqaluit, or within the larger Qikqtaaluk Nation (i.e., formerly known as Baffin Island). SvN went on to pre...pare land-use planning approvals and regulations for this new IOL community, which have been approved by Iqaluit Council. . . . . In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, SvN be sharing notable projects from the past four decades, all of which were led by John. @cip_icu @oaarchitects #JohnvanNostrand #svn #svnarchitectsandplanners #housing #communityplanning #community #planning #canadianplanner #canadianarchitect #legacy #anniversary #canadianarctic #baffinisland #iqaluit #nunavut #Qikqtaaluk

1974 - Ongoing | Seaton Development Plan | North Pickering, Ontario. In the mid-70s, John worked as Planner and Architect with the Ontario Ministry of Housing on the North Pickering Project for its expropriated lands totalling 25,000 acres. Twenty years later, in 1995, working with Baird Sampson Architects, John led the award-winning entry in the Seaton International Planning + Design Competition - a comprehensive submission entitled Plan for Seaton. This plan proposed creati...on of a sustainable urban community for 75,000 residents, together with an enhanced natural heritage system and an 8,000-acre new, near-urban, agricultural community. In the wake of the North Pickering Land Exchange in 2005, John led the preparation of the Central Pickering Development Plan on behalf of the Province. SvN (known then as planningAlliance) convened an intensive stakeholder engagement process focusing on formal, multi-stakeholder negotiations with affected residents, adjacent Municipalities of Markham and Pickering; as well as the Regions of Durham and York. These included private developers (who were relocated from the Oak Ridges Moraine Greenbelt) and First Nations who occupied the land traditionally. The planning process was structured around frequent focused workshops and regular all-inclusive public meetings including all stakeholder groups. SvN demonstrated an exceptional ability to listen to and understand different perspectives throughout a two-year planning process that was successful in bringing all parties to consensus around a common vision and implementation strategy. Subsequently, SvN prepared detailed Neighbourhood Plans and Plans of Subdivision for the new Urban Community which was located entirely within the City of Pickering. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

2008 - 2009 | Lawrence-Allen Revitalization Plan | Toronto, Ontario Located in Torontos Inner Suburbs, the Lawrence-Allen neighbourhood faced significant intensification pressures. Resulting in a comprehensive planning framework that identifies how intensification should occur along the Allen Expressway, John led an extensive stakeholder engagement program, which included negotiations with a number of landowners and developers, including the Toronto Community Housing Corpo...ration. The Recommended Plan improves the function of the street network and its ability to support a balanced transportation system by providing legible and direct routes. In addition to locating development in close proximity to existing subway stations, the Recommended Plan establishes convenient routes for community members to walk and cycle to and from the subway and provides good. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

2008 - 2011 | YWCA Elm Centre | Toronto, Ontario The YWCA Elm Centre is one of the largest social housing projects to be developed in downtown Toronto in the last 10 years. This two-building complex houses residential, administrative and community service facilities for YWCA Toronto; The Jean Tweed Centre, which works with women facing substance abuse; and Wigwamen Inc., an aboriginal housing organization. The complex is organized around an internal Courtyard, and provides of...fices, meeting and multi-purpose rooms, as well as community services for all three organizations. It serves as a downtown centre for womens activities. As such, it also provides child-care services for residents with access to a dedicated outdoor Playground. The residential floors and three roof-gardens located within the complex accommodate 350 units for YWCA Toronto, Jean Tweed and Wigwamen tenants, along with significant outdoor amenity space. The new Northern Block is set back from the pre-existing heritage building-frontage that belonged to the Citys former House of Industry (1848) now separated from it with a new Atrium, designed to highlight the former workhouses original relationship with Elm Street. The north streetscape has been similarly designed to complement its heritage character. The Elm Centre incorporates a number of green building strategies and systems, and achieves LEED-Platinum status. In particular, the building design includes an improved thermal building envelope, central ventilation energy recovery, radiant heating and cooling, and a ground source heat pump system. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

1996 - 2002 | Tarkwa Mine Resettlement Project | Tarkwa, Ghana This is Africa’s largest mine-related resettlement project to date. The complex negotiation process which was designed and administered by rePlan Inc. (a subsidiary of Planning Alliance, now SvN) involved 20,000 persons living in 14 impacted communities. rePlan helped to set a negotiations table comprising representatives of local government, local stools and their chiefs, 200 appointed representatives of the ...impacted communities, and the mining company itself. The free and informed consultation process extended over an 18-month period, and included over 80 full-day meetings. These resulted in a revised mine plan, along with the planning and design of a new 37-hectare (90-acre) community located adjacent to the pre-existing town of Tarkwa. New Atuabo, as it became known, included new, incremental housing, services and social facilities including a new school, new clinic and new open-air market, along with 12 churches and many smaller businesses. New Atuabo was constructed by ten locally based female- and male-headed contractors, using both traditional and contemporary building materials. Over 70% of construction profits remained with local contractors and firms who have since continued to help over 32,000 persons from the larger town to build and extend their initial homes and businesses. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that he’s led over his illustrious career.

2005 | Brick Works Development Plan | Toronto, Ontario The City-approved Master Plan for the re-zoned Brick Works provided a blueprint for the redevelopment of the site as a mixed-use centre. SvNs work included a detailed analysis of site conditions, including the historic built-form and surrounding brownfield, as well as community programming for the new facility, plus consideration for its role in the larger Don Valley as-a-whole. A comprehensive plan to integrate the fac...ility with the surrounding trail network was developed, including new connections to the Belt Line Trail, bridges to the Lower Don Trail network, rehabilitation of Mud Creek, and upgrading of the Half Mile Bridge for safe cycling across the valley. The plan was approved by the City and TRCA on the unique basis that Evergreen agree to allow the building to flood naturally by locating all electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems above a three-metre high Ground Floor throughout. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

1997 | St. George Street Revitalization | Toronto, Ontario. This once-grand residential boulevard now serves as the main street for the University of Torontos St. George Campus. At the time, the Street had lost its tree canopy and brownstone mansions to make way for grander, institutional buildings. SvN, working together with Brown + Storey Architects, commissioned a new form of traffic count that included both pedestrian and vehicular numbers. These showed that over 60% of ...traffic was pedestrian, while over 70% of the 66-foot-wide, right-of-way was devoted to automobiles. In response, the redesign of the street eliminated a traffic lane on each side of the pavement, doubled the width of existing sidewalks, and introduced bicycle lanes and tree-lined verges on both sides of the street from College to Bloor Streets (i.e., a distance of one kilometre). . The St. George Street Revitalization is an example of an early, shared street concept that demonstrated - for the first time in Toronto - the potential to create a new balance between pedestrians, cyclists and cars along the Citys principal north-south Minor Arterial rights-of-way. It also introduced deeper, irrigated tree pits to encourage the full growth of the bio-diverse mix of adjacent street trees. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career. @cip_icu @oaarchitects @canadianarchitect

1996 - 2002 | Tarkwa Mine Resettlement Project | Tarkwa, Ghana This is Africas largest mine-related resettlement project to date. The complex negotiation process which was designed and administered by rePlan Inc. (a subsidiary of Planning Alliance, now SvN) involved 20,000 persons living in 14 impacted communities. rePlan helped to set a negotiations table comprising representatives of local government, local stools and their chiefs, 200 appointed representatives of the ...impacted communities, and the mining company itself. The free and informed consultation process extended over an 18-month period, and included over 80 full-day meetings. These resulted in a revised mine plan, along with the planning and design of a new 37-hectare (90-acre) community located adjacent to the pre-existing town of Tarkwa. New Atuabo, as it became known, included new, incremental housing, services and social facilities including a new school, new clinic and new open-air market, along with 12 churches and many smaller businesses. New Atuabo was constructed by ten locally based female- and male-headed contractors, using both traditional and contemporary building materials. Over 70% of construction profits remained with local contractors and firms who have since continued to help over 32,000 persons from the larger town to build and extend their initial homes and businesses. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

1991-96 | Salvation Army Scarborough Citadel + Non Profit Housing | Toronto, Ontario The Scarborough Citadel, commissioned by the Salvation Army and located on a major, suburban traffic intersection, included a 480-seat worship space, a new gymnasium, Sunday school, administrative offices, and 158 units of non-profit housing. The residential units are located along an east-west double-loaded slab above the plaza, straddling the church and entrance pavilion. Street-facing uni...ts are wide and narrow to maximize indirect sunlight, and south-facing, narrow, deep units with sunrooms and balconies to reduce heat gain. An enclosed bridge enables the apartments to access and make use of shared social facilities and the Citadel. The two primary components church and housing form distinctive but complementary elements reflecting the Armys long-standing interest in achieving a contemporary, architectural balance between worship, music, social services and housing. The design combines a significant corner-building with an equally important need to accommodate at-grade parking with pedestrian amenity and accessibility. It was approved by the City of Scarborough as a model for anticipated growth and intensification along the Citys major east-west transit-related arterial streets in anticipation of the rapid growth that is taking place today. Winner of a 1993 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

1988 | Victoria School Village | Kitchener, Ontario Victoria School Village combines the renovation of the historic Victoria Park School into new affordable housing with a mid-rise, single-loaded apartment block and a series of residential villas located directly across the street from Victoria Park Kitcheners Crown Jewel. This unique combination of building types and forms accommodates a unique mix of households, comprising 18 studio units, for singles; 38 one-bedroom u...nits and 30 two-bedroom units, for small families; and 3, three-bedroom and 11 four-bedroom units, for larger, extended families. VPS received several housing and urban design awards at both the municipal and provincial levels and is acknowledged as one of SvNs most beautiful residential communities. In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

In celebration of John van Nostrands 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career. We begin with: 1984 | Fred Victor Mission + Keith Whitney Homes | Toronto, Ontario... Commissioned by the United Church of Canada and Keith Whitney Homes, and located in downtown Toronto, this mixed-use social housing project provides long-term accommodation for 130 former hostel residents and 67 seniors. The residents, some of whom had been staying there since The Depression, were actively involved throughout the feasibility, planning and design processes. The project combines renovation of the pre-existing building, with a new residential tower. The firms work included a needs assessment, feasibility analyses, OPA and rezoning.

Regram from @tasdesignbuild - Were excited that our re-zoning application for our #385TheWestMall project with @svn.ap has been submitted! Heres an updated look. #socialimpact #citybuilding #mixeduse

1986 - 1991 | Lesotho Urban Upgrading Project | Kingdom of Lesotho. In 1985, the Government of Lesotho initiated a new program for urban decentralization. This project called for the upgrading of the two secondary urban centres of Mafeteng and Teyateyaneng, along with the preparation of Strategic Urban Development Plans for the upgrading of two additional secondary towns - Mohales Hoek and Leribe. Major project components included design and administration of land tenure, la...nd registration, valuation and housing delivery programs; institutional strengthening of the Lesotho Housing and Land Development Corporation (LEHCO-OP) as the major provider of incremental starter and lower-income housing. It also included design and construction management of new greenfields sites-and services, residential neighbourhoods; along with new housing; new schools; new health facilities; and new or upgraded local government offices. In turn, these new residential and social facilities have attracted increased growth, additional private investment and new jobs in the Secondary Centres. In 1992, the Lesotho Urban Upgrading Project was the recipient of two significant planning and development awards: the Building & Social Housing Foundations World Habitat Award and the Canadian Institute of Planners Award for Planning Excellence (1992). In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

1985 | van Nostrand Cottage | Georgian Bay, Ontario This summer cottage is located on an out-island in the Wah Wah Taysee Community, and draws on and updates traditional cottage typologies found throughout southern Georgian Bay. It was planned and designed around a south-west to north-east axes, in order to moderate sunlight to its principle rooms i.e., to maximize sunlight in the mornings in the Kitchen and Dining Areas, while reducing the heat of the sun in the Living Are...as in the middle of the day. It also provides panoramic sunrise to sunset views from all rooms. The cottage is heated, cooled and ventilated passively; operates completely on solar and wind energies, and employs composting toilets and waste storage areas, along with greywater re-use. . In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career.

Day Two of NYC studio tour. Todays rainy-day walks included DUMBO, Brooklyn; the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC); BIGs Studio; and the pier.

In celebration of John van Nostrand's 40-year anniversary in practice, we are sharing notable projects that hes led over his illustrious career. We begin with: 1984 | Fred Victor Mission + Keith Whitney Homes | Toronto, Ontario... Commissioned by the United Church of Canada and Keith Whitney Homes, and located in downtown Toronto, this mixed-use social housing project provides long-term accommodation for 130 former hostel residents and 67 seniors. The residents, some of whom had been staying there since The Depression, were actively involved throughout the feasibility, planning and design processes. The project combines renovation of the pre-existing building, with a new residential tower. The firms work included a needs assessment, feasibility analyses, OPA and rezoning.

Regram from @tasdesignbuild - We're excited that our re-zoning application for our #385TheWestMall project with @svn.ap has been submitted! Here's an updated look. #socialimpact #citybuilding #mixeduse

Day Two of NYC studio tour. Today's rainy-day walks included DUMBO, Brooklyn; the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC); BIG's Studio; and the pier.

We are looking for a senior planner to join our growing team! Follow link for more info: http://svn-ap.com/hiring-senior-planner/

Principals Shonda Wang and Drew Sinclair take their UofT Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design students on a tour of NYC. Today's tour started at the Hudson Yards, New York's newest neighbourhood.

Shoppers World Brampton | Open Space Themes The design character and planting palette of the proposed landscape reflects the local adjacencies of Etobicoke Creek. The creeks rich ecosystem is translated into several key zones on the Shoppers World Brampton master plan: the creek, the wetland, the upland forest, and the dry meadow. This landscape network sets the green framework with elements of continuity and variability, creating environmental, social and economic value for the community.

Shoppers World Brampton | Preliminary Master Plan | RioCan REIT The redevelopment of Shoppers World Brampton leverages Provincial and Municipal investment in the 18 km Hurontario LRT to land at the doorstep of Shoppers World Brampton by 2024. As the site transforms into a complete, transit-oriented community, a series of new plazas, linear parks, and central open spaces will be integrated with stormwater management features to create a strong link between the new community, Kaneff Park, and the existing Etobicoke Creek and trail system beyond.

Shoppers World Brampton | Preliminary Master Plan | RioCan REIT At a Public Open House last month, we unveiled the master plan for the phased redevelopment of the 60 acre site known as Shoppers World Brampton. Developed together with Quadrangle Architects, BA Group and Counterpoint Engineers, the concept introduces a mixed-use, transit-oriented neighbourhood with a mix of types and tenures of housing, commercial activity, community amenities, tree-lined streets and connectio...ns set within a rich network of parks, plazas and open spaces. We are currently bringing the project through a rezoning process as Planners, Landscape Architects, Urban Designers and Architects.

It was our pleasure to highlight Vandyk Groups project in Mimico as an example of healthy, integrated growth.

Proposal for Shoppers World Brampton unveiled! With Quadrangle Architecture and Interiors, BA Group , and Counterpoint Engineers for RioCan.

"...one of the biggest problems [is] we build buildings that cannot change over time." Principal, John van Nostrand speaks to Michael Enright on yesterday's Sunday Edition.

Principal Drew Sinclair gave the keynote address entitled, "The City as Agent of Global Transformation," at the #SmartCitiesExchange in Mexico City. El director, Drew Sinclair dio el discurso principal titulado, "La Ciudad Como Agente de Transformación Global," en el Congreso de 'Smart Cities Exchange' en la ciudad de México.

First Studio presentation for, "There Grows the Neighbourhood" led by Principals Shonda Wang and Drew Sinclair at the University of Toronto Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. . . Regram from @shondawang @uoftdaniels #theregrowstheneighbourhood studio with @adsinclair - work progressing - w/ thanks to our guest crits, Vanessa Fong @vfongv and Benjamin Hoff @hoffintoronto

SvN joined the climate strike at Queens Park. Because its up to all of us to demand climate action! #StandwithGreta #DesignforFuture #ClimateStrike #GlobalStrikeforClimate #CanadianArchitects #ClimateEmergency #FridaysForFuture #svnarchitectsandplanners

It was our pleasure to highlight Vandyk Group's project in Mimico as an example of healthy, integrated growth.

Great interview and profile of our multi-disciplinary office in Business View Magazine, with photographs of our recently completed Peace Naturals cannabis production, research, and development centre by Ben Rahn/A-Frame Inc.

Principal, Shonda Wang, will present her lecture, Transit Oriented Development: An Integrated Vision for Healthy Growth, at tomorrow's OPPI Conference. Session No.403, from 4-5pm. For full conference details, visit Ontario Professional Planners Institute... #OPPI19 #Beyond25

SvN joined the climate strike at Queen's Park. Because it's up to all of us to demand climate action! #StandwithGreta #DesignforFuture #ClimateStrike #GlobalStrikeforClimate #CanadianArchitects #ClimateEmergency #FridaysForFuture #svnarchitectsandplanners

SvN Architects + Planners joins the global declaration for climate and ecological health emergency and commits to urgent and sustained action. - The built environment accounts for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, and pervasively impacts our societies and the health of the living systems that sustain us. Together with our clients, collaborators, and communities, we need to develop our buildings, cities, and infrastructures as indivisible components of la...rger nested living systems interconnected, resilient, and regenerative, now and for future generations. Accordingly, we commit to: RAISE AWARENESS of these interconnected crises, and the impact the built environment has on them with our clients and colleagues; TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION through our projects, an in our capacities as advisors, advocates, educators, and enablers within our communities, cities, and supply chains. - Stand with us: https://ca.architectsdeclare.com #ArchitectsDeclare #StandwithGreta #DesignforFuture

Below the surface: before and after | Six Points Interchange Reconfiguration | Etobicoke, ON Continuous soil trenches beneath the sidewalks are wider and deeper than regular streets; they achieve higher soil volumes and capture stormwater runoff that, together with wide plant spacing, support healthy trees.... With HDR Inc., for the City of Toronto

Throwback Thursday Lassonde Building (formerly the Computer Science Building) York University, 2001 architectsAlliance; Busby + Associates Architects; van Nostrand de Castri Architects... The York University Computer Science Building (CSB) was the first project to be developed under York Universitys green design agenda. SvN Principal John van Nostrand, working under architectsAlliance, was one of the design leads for what is considered to be one of the first green buildings in Canada that helped set a new standard for institutional architecture; it demonstrated that a sustainable approach could succeed in a cold climate. The building is a four-story, 9,420 sq.m. infill project featuring a 950-seat lecture hall, multiple classrooms, labs, and various faculty offices. Organized around a series of interior voids that function as pools for passively conditioned air moving from a plenum located below the buildings basement, the CSB surpassed all pre-design objectives for a reduction in overall energy. The CSB was recognized with a Governor General's Medal in Architecture and the Ministry of Natural Resources 'Energy Efficiency Award' for 2002. Steven Evans

Peace Naturals | Stayner, Ontario The Peace Naturals project is one of the largest purpose-built cannabis cultivation facilities in North America. In addition to providing fully automated grow rooms, and GMP compliant, post-harvest and extraction facilities, the recently completed facility also serves as the corporate headquarters and centre for horticultural and pharmacological research for the Cronos Group. by A-Frame Studio

Reposted from @csparchitects - As the revitalization of Torontos Alexandra Park neighborhood continues, we are delighted to share more information for the first of the Phase Two buildings of the project that we have been carefully developing for the last year, jointly with our friends @svn.ap . ... @tridel and @torontohousing have partnered together to create an integrated proposal of both community housing units and market-rate units in the vibrant downtown neighborhood. The proposed built form aims to consolidate the rich collection of programmatic elements and two communities into one unified structure that promotes a strong sense of community, safety and all aspects of wellness. The ground plane of the proposal is designed to be transparent and interactive in order to animate the surrounding pedestrian realm by engaging the pedestrian as well as providing eyes on the street. The mixture of retail frontage, townhomes, childcare, lobby entrances, and community rooms work together to avoid the creation of a monotonous street frontage by being broken up by different engaging uses and façade/landscape treatments. The upper portion of the building achieves a unified design through a consistent treatment of the façade on both towers. This allows both towers to have the same level of design excellence and to help promote pride of ownership.

Principal, Shonda Wang was on-hand to answer questions and present the vision for 327 Royal York and Mimico GO Station to the Mimico community. Reposted from @vandykgroupofcompanies - Thank-you Mimico! ... Last month Vandyk hosted an Open House to introduce the vision for 327 Royal York & Mimico Go Station. Over 150 attendees come out to engage in dialogue with representatives from Vandyk, Metrolinx and the professional design team. See the top 10 frequently asked questions by attendees. Link in Vandyk Group of Companies' bio