DTAH Mo Bros are moving through another Movember with a warm upper lip. Join the moustache movement today by donating to DTAH Mo Bros.

The DTAH Mo Bros (and supportive Mo Sistas) have been growing strong since 2009, seeking to raise funds and awareness for Prostate Cancer Research and Men’s Mental Health by joining a worldwide movement aimed at changing the face of men’s health.

Fuzzy lip-warmers have become an instantly recognizable symbol of men’s health awareness. In addition to crucially important fundraising, Mainstream Movember Moustachery is also raising the profile of men’s health issues and doing the vital work of breaking a silence that has long surrounded men’s health issues.

For more information on Movember, like how to get involved, events and where donations are directed, check out http://ca.movember.com

Waterfront Toronto, their government partners, and West 8 + DTAH celebrated a major milestone in the development of  Toronto's central waterfront on November 16, 2012 with the official groundbreaking for the Queens Quay Revitalization project.

This project is a significant component of the Central Waterfront Innovative Design Competition winning entry by West 8 + DTAH, and involves the redesign of Queens Quay Boulevard to reallocate space with a generous, tree-lined promenade for pedestrians and cyclists, and new public spaces that will give the city a grand waterfront boulevard.

The groundbreaking remarks were held on the Simcoe WaveDeck (also designed by West 8 + DTAH), on the south side of Queens Quay just west of Lower Simcoe St., followed by an official groundbreaking on Queens Quay.

Related projects

• Queens Quay Revitalization
• Toronto Central Waterfront Design Competition
• Spadina, Rees and Simcoe WaveDecks

DTAH partner Joe Lobko has been appointed to the Design Review Panel, a group of professionals who volunteer their time to assist Council in fulfilling Official Plan objectives by providing City staff with professional design advice on public and private development.

The Panel's goal is to improve people's quality of life by promoting design excellence within the public realm, including the pursuit of high quality architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and environmental sustainability. The Panel also plays a significant role in engendering an informed, public debate about the importance of good design within our City.

Robert Allsopp, also a partner with DTAH, just competed a significant term on the Design Review Panel that started in June 2006 when he was appointed as an original member of the panel during the pilot phase. The Panel is an important voice for the promotion of design excellence within Toronto, and plays a significant leadership role for design professions within the development approvals process.

The City of Toronto is studying ways to improve Allen Road for the people who travel on it and the communities that surround it. DTAH with ARUP – transportation engineers, and Swerhun – facilitation specialists, are currently leading the team that are creating the Allen Road Terms of Reference for Environmental Assessment, also known as the "Framework" or "Work Plan", to guide possible future studies.

The study will investigate current challenges and opportunities in the Allen Road corridor from Eglinton Avenue West to just south of Transit Road, and will follow a provincially mandated Environmental Assessment process.

The City is asking for your input to inform this Terms of Reference study. Topics to discuss include:

• Key challenges, opportunities, and other concerns
• Ideas to improve Allen Road you would like to see explored
• Approaches for evaluating the options in future detailed studies
• Ways to engage the community and participate in further studies
• Your priorities for improving the Allen Road corridor

For more information visit the City website or contact Jason Diceman, Public Consultation Coordinator, City of Toronto E: AllenRdStudy@toronto.ca 

DTAH is one of three architecture firms invited to participate in the Summer 2012 Architecture Exhibition at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. BORN AGAIN: The Repurposed City looks at how architects are rethinking and repurposing unused buildings and structures in light of our concerns for the environment.

DTAH’s installation: BUILDINGS, STREETS, NEIGHBOURHOODS (Everything old is new again) examines how the adaptive reuse of buildings, redesign of streets, and introduction of urban agriculture can contribute to healthy urban environments that benefit the community and culture as a whole.

Location:  The Architecture Gallery, York Quay Centre at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto
Dates: July 20 – September 16, 2012
Hours: Tue, Thu-Sun: noon-6pm; Wed: noon–8pm; Mon: closed except civic holidays

In the 40th year of practice, DTAH is delighted to announce the appointment of three new partners and three new associates. We have also simplified our corporate names; du Toit Allsopp Hillier and du Toit Architects Limited have been changed to DTAH and DTAH Architects Limited respectively.

New Partners

• Bryce Miranda  OALA / CSLA
• Brent Raymond OALA / CSLA / ASLA / MCIP / RPP
• Megan Torza OAA / MRAIC / LEED AP BD+C

New Associates

• Ayako Kitta  OALA / CSLA
• Tanya Brown OALA / CSLA
• Yvonne Lam  OAA / MRAIC

In an attempt to create a better built environment, a new program called Imaging my Sustainable Neighbourhood introduces elementary students in the TDSB to urban planning and architecture. No.9: Contemporary Art & the Environment are implementing the highly successful program that was made possible through the support of sponsors and program partners.

An exhibition by grades 7-8 students from 16 Toronto District School Boards that have participated in the project takes place May 29 to June 7, 2012 at Metro Hall Rotunda, 55 John Street, Toronto.

Weston will have a new bridge, the Twin Arch by DTAH, which draws inspiration from the heritage of bicycle production in the community. Following a selection process that involved the Community Advisory Committee, a short list of four bridge design options were identified and the community was given an opportunity to provide feedback on the options during a consultation period during February and March 2012.

The Twin Arch design was selected as the winning entry for the John Street Pedestrian Bridge that will cross the GO Transit corridor at John Street in Weston. Construction is expected to begin in 2014. The bridge is part of the Georgetown South Project that will provide infrastructure improvements to meet existing GO Transit ridership demand and future growth. It will also accommodate existing and future VIA Rail and CN freight train service as well as the new Air Rail Link between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

Related projects

• Weston Revitalization
• John Street Pedestrian Bridge

Neighbourhood Gentrification: The Future of Toronto will be discussed by an expert panel during the Urban Land Institute Toronto event May 16, 2012 at the Toronto Board of Trade. How gentrification played a significant role in reshaping notable Toronto neighbourhoods, such as Queen West and the Junction, over the past decade will be reviewed. The expert panel will take a closer look at the experience of key developers, new purchasers, local business improvement associations, and planners all striving to make these communities better places for everyone.

Members of the expert panel include:

• Brent Raymond, partner DTAH
• Paul Johnston, unique urban homes
• Tim Jones, Artscape
• Michael McClelland, ERA
• Les Mallins, Streetcar Developments

Joe Lobko will be one of the presenters for the session entitled Urban Renewal, Community Revitalization and Well-being on June 12 as part of the Green Building Industry: Markets, Technologies/Products, Jobs and Trade stream at the CaGBC national conference.

This session will examine two aspects of how green innovations can help transform vulnerable urban neighbourhoods. The first aspect, presented by Joe Lobko, addresses the themes of food systems and community food hubs within the context of urban living and improved quality of life. These vulnerable communities are seeing food security as a top of mind issue when it comes to sustainability. Examples of community food hubs as a new urban prototype will be presented, where food becomes an agent for change and connected to ideas of health and well-being.

This year’s conference, Beyond Buildings: The Green City, will focus on the acceleration of the sustainability agenda through green buildings, neighbourhood revitalization, affordable housing and infrastructure development.

Related projects

• Evergreen Brick Works

In commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812, Fort York will offer special programming during Doors Open Toronto May 26 and 27. Peter Fletcher Smith of DTAH will give a talk on the continuing attempts to protect and enhance the Fort in the face of intense urban development. The talk is free and takes place both Saturday and Sunday at 3pm at the Central Barracks. Peter has been involved in various planning and implementation projects in and around Fort York for years including the Open Space Plan, the Rail Lands Blocks 32 & 36 Public Realm Plan, streetscape design and implementation along Fort York Boulevard, and landscape rehabilitation beneath the Gardiner Expressway adjacent to the fort. He is currently leading the landscape restoration and rehabilitation plan for Garrison Common.

DTAH’s studio at 50 Park Road will also be open both days for Doors Open. Completed in 1954, the landmark modern building was designed as the first permanent headquarters for the Ontario Association of Architects. It was the result of a design competition won by John B. Parkin Associates, one of the province’s leading modernist firms at the time, with John C. Parkin as project architect.

Related links

• PDF: History of the Building at 50 Park Road

Related projects

• Fort York Public Realm Plan
• Railway Lands Block 32 and 36

Two of DTAH’s projects, University of Durham College (UOIT) and Evergreen Brick Works, were selected by the ASLA for their Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management Case Studies Database.

The database was created by ASLA upon request by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who are in the process of establishing a comprehensive program to reduce stormwater runoff from new development and re-development projects. The EPA is evaluating sustainable green infrastructure design techniques that mimic natural processes to evapo-transpire, infiltrate and recharge, and harvest and reuse stormwater.

The case studies demonstrate that green infrastructure and low-impact development (LID) approaches, which are less costly than traditional grey infrastructure projects, can save communities millions of dollars each year and improve the quality of water supply.

Related links

• PDF of Durham UOIT Case Study
• PDF of Evergreen Brick Works Case Study

Related projects

• Evergreen Brick Works
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

DTAH’s Bryce Miranda has been actively involved in the planning of his Little India neighbourhood. First developing a transportation alternative to divert traffic away from the community, more recently Bryce has become a key member of the Gerard East Community Organization.

Bryce’s current proposal, “Bring Back the Bazaar,” was born out of a growing concern with the many vacant and derelict storefronts on a particular stretch of Gerard Street East. These disorderly and seemingly unmonitored buildings greatly impact the general character and safety of the neighbourhood.

Using the precedent of Seattle’s Columbia City community, Bryce has proposed the revitalization of the strip by boarding up broken shop windows with plywood, on which lively murals would then be painted by local artists and children. This would give the appearance that the strip contributes to a safe and vibrant community. In Seattle, this strategy quickly attracted new business to the neighbourhood and within a year the previously vacant buildings were all occupied. Bryce hopes for similar results in his own community.

For more, visit http://ashdalevillage.com

Related links

• Bring Back the Bazaar PDF
• "Neighbours work to improve Little India retail strip," The Mirror

The Ontario Public Works Association has awarded the East Hamilton Waterfront Link - Multi-Use Pedestrian Bridge, also known as the Red Hill Creek Pedestrian Bridge, with the 2011 Project of the Year Award in the category of Structures, Greater than $10 million. McCormick Rankin Corporation was the prime consultant, with DTAH providing bridge architecture and lighting concept design.

The 220m pedestrian/cycle bridge, which opened May 2011, passes over an ecologically sensitive wetland and the QEW highway connecting the valley trail system to the Lake Ontario waterfront. The bridge provides a new landmark for the City of Hamilton in a prominent location at the foot of the Red Hill Creek valley. The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail through Hamilton is an integral part of the 650 km trail extending from the Niagara Region to Quebec, the vision of which has been coordinated through the Waterfront Regeneration Trust.

Related projects

• East Hamilton Waterfront Link Pedestrian Bridge