Over the last few years, one architect team has designed some of the most innovative condominiums in Toronto: Core Architects. A major condominium project now under construction – M5V – received the Greater Toronto Home Builders’ Association Award for best residential high-rise project in 2007, and the project is aiming for a Silver LEED designation.
Image: Core Architects / Freed
Core has been around for almost fifteen years: it was founded in 1994 by Babak Eslahjou, Charles Gane and Deni Poletti. Since starting out with $600, and mainly doing custom extension work for existing buildings, Core has grown to be one of Toronto’s most important mid-sized architecture firms. They are very prolific and have dozens of projects under their belt. And although they are not one of the largest, they are one of the most international: Core has done design work in Dubai and Doha.
Babak is the most vocal of the three principals. In an interview with the Pug Awards (who awarded him a People’s Choice Award for his Argyle Authentic Lofts), Eslahjou expressed his fondness for European attitudes around design and urban presence. Buildings, in Eslahjou’s view, should function as a beautiful fabric or background for everyday life. Eslahjou and his partners work to ensure that harmoniousness is seen in all of their work.
Along with the Argyle Authentic Lofts, Core has designed many of the recent Freed buildings in Toronto’s King West neighbourhood, including Fashion House, 650 King Street West and 500 Wellington Street West. These mid-rise buildings, with their modernist shapes, create a European feel to the neighbourhood, and have been immensely popular.
And as noted, Eslahjou and his partners are very interested in building sustainable projects. Eslahjou says he tries to incorporate “green walls” in all of his new projects. These “living walls” are like green roofs that plants grow out of. They act as insulation for the building, as well as helping clean the air.
Another type of assembly that Eslahjou would like to incorporate in his works are sun shutters and mechanized air vents that adapt to conditions throughout the day. The resulting effect makes the building look like a machine. It also improves the energy efficiency of the building.
With their forward-thinking, sustainable and prolific designs, it is a good idea to look into a Core-designed home when you are considering your next condominium purchase.
Nelson Goulart
Broker of Record with Signature Service GMAC Real Estate
www.ssgmac.ca
