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Re-invented Shoebox in Rosemont
By : CCJOD inc in collaboration with Sean Weitzman
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 15th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Residential Building / Private House > 2 000 pi2 (> 185 m2) : Silver Certification
The history of the shoebox typology inspired this design concept. The house was originally built for working class citizens who could not afford to live in the central downtown core. The emergence of the railway at the turn of the 20th century brought people to Rosemont, where they could own a home and have a garden in close proximity to the city. Many of the materials used for construction were taken from the Angus yards (railcar manufacturing, repairing and selling facility for the Canadian Pacific Railway).
The proposed design preserves the form and character of the original shoebox home at street level, and is well integrated in the urban context. The height and setback of the main facade is in alignment with the neighbouring properties. The upper floor is setback from the main facade, intended to resemble a stacking of the shoebox typology floating behind the original. The burnt wood cladding on the exterior was inspired by the dark iron colour and materiality of the old railway tracks and sleepers. The raised brick motif, at the upper portion of the masonry facade, relates to the pattern created by sleepers as they extend beyond the sides of the railway tracks.
This house was commissioned by a contractor/developer. The house was well received on the market and was sold in just 3 days.
Collaboration
