This Metro Toronto Community Services temporary shelter for women and their children, originally set within two interconnected historic houses facing Sherbourne Street, is altered by several make-shift additions and renovations. The challenge was to create a building that exhibits design excellence within the limitations of an existing structure, a tight neighbourhood site, a complex program and a restricted budget. The resulting design is organized around a central courtyard consisting of a protected outdoor garden for social gathering and children’s play. Blending in with its urban surroundings, the building attempts to avoid the “special housing” label and neighbourhood opposition. The three main programmatic elements on the ground floor — the child care facility, dining area and residents’ lounge area open directly onto the garden. Private family suites, all located on the second floor, are cozy, with dormer windows and window seats that provide residents with intimate views of the garden. The House includes flexible communal rooms including the dining hall and dedicated children’s spaces such as a circular story room, an indoor play area, a youth room, a prayer/meditation room, and a variety of activity nooks.
2001 Wood Design Awards
2000 Toronto Architecture & Urban Design Awards
