Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1174518
OCTOBER 2019 | 9 CORE Architects "Over the past 25 years we have not wavered on the importance of great design. We have been a design studio where the partners and staff dedicate the required time to explore design solutions to achieve the best architecture and outcome for our client and the user, whether it be the overall site configuration or the minute construction details," says Poletti. CORE's portfolio is indeed extensive and extremely colourful. Fashion House in Toronto's historic Fashion District is a great example. The client's vision was to maximize the density on the site and provide a significant outdoor amenity space. CORE worked closely with the developer, the community, and interior and fashion designers to create an iconic landmark. Rather than going with the same old, same old, CORE challenged the notion that a building should use typical floorplates in a regular pattern and opened themselves up to the possibilities of using multiple floorplates that cantilever, offset, shift, and overlay each other to achieve a more dynamic form that also complies with the site specific bylaws. Another great project is M City, the tallest condominium in Mississauga that creates a striking presence on the city's skyline. The project is an example of how to address the challenge of urbanizing the periphery of large cities. The first and most visible phase of the project is a 60-storey tower on top of an extended five-storey horizontal "podium" of public facilities and retail and recre- ational uses. Unlike development in Toronto's 19th-century urban core, this new territory of development affords the exciting opportunity to make architecture that is unapologetically big. M City offers a multi-level public realm that fully real- izes the capabilities of advanced reinforced concrete building technologies. Then there's The Residences of 488 University development intensification proj- ect that will transform Global House, the 1968-built tower at 480 University Avenue. The Residences of 488 University is said to push Toronto's structural engineer- ing limits with its exoskeleton structural support system installed by Sigmund Soudack & Associates. The final renovations to the office building include a new facade and the addition of a three-storey podium. Upon completion, the building will be 55-storeys high and contain 453 residential units. Looking back, the partners are extremely proud of what they have achieved, but are also extremely excited about the future. With two new partners onboard – Gabriela Estrada and Earl Mark – CORE is bringing even more talent to the table and ensuring the company flourishes beyond its founding partners. As for what the future holds, the partners agree that they expect to see some dramatic changes, but that they have the ability to evolve accordingly. "The focus on sustainability will continue and CORE will pursue solutions to support these environmental objectives. We expect they will have a significant impact on how we live and work and how it will change our built environment," says Poletti. "Over the years we have seen how architecture is perceived by the public and we think this trend will continue. The public has a growing apprecia- tion and understanding of the importance of good architecture. Architecture can have a significant social and mental impact on people's lives, and as we are wit- nessing people appreciating high design in both public buildings, private spaces, and the general public realm, the demand for better design will only increase." Architecture is indeed the result of big visions and as Eslahjou rightly con- cludes, "Great architecture is only created when the clients demand it." And for CORE, that demand is definitely there. Happy 25th birthday CORE! A 488 University, Toronto, ON. 12 Degrees, Toronto, ON. 488 University, Toronto, ON. Seventy5 Portland, Toronto, ON.