Located in Toronto’s Junction, 77 Wade Avenue will be a purpose designed and built office with collaboration space for the new digital age industrial worker. Designed by Bogdan Newman Caranci (BNC) Architecture and Urban Design, and developed by Next Property Group, 77 Wade Avenue will be 8 storeys and approximately ~150,000 square feet, making it among the tallest modern mass timber office and commercial buildings in Canada targeting LEED Gold, and the first of its kind to be built.
The key design intent of this project was to fuse contrasting materials to enhance the inherent warmth of an exposed wood structure comprised of composite mass timber, concrete and steel structural assemblies. Unlike the construction of 20th century post and beam buildings, construction of 77 Wade optimizes the use of a mass timber hybrid structural system by way of pre-fabricated components and just-in-time delivery and construction practices to achieve spans akin to traditional concrete and steel superstructure projects for modern commercial office buildings.
The overall design celebrates the advanced use of mass-timber construction within the ever-evolving architecture of Canada. The development and design of 77 Wade maximizes and streamlines the inherent structural and aesthetic qualities of exposed wood construction in a new and modern way; ultimately showcasing both our Canadian talent pool and our renewable wood resource. The building’s envelope will predominately be clad in a folded plain curtain wall to expose the innovative structure within, while also adding a dynamic form to the streetscape. The approach to the building is unified with an origami based geometric soft and organic front entrance, retail and flexible collaboration spaces. Perched above the form is a wood canopy that creates shading for the outdoor amenity and social space.
The rear of the building has a sunken parking area as well as a unique bike storage feature, connecting pedestrians and cyclists though the site, from the adjacent and elevated GO Barrie line corridor to be constructed complete with a linear park and Multi-Use Trail below (aka Metrolinx’s ‘Davenport Diamond’ project).
Today, tech-oriented and innovative companies desire work environments that hum with architectural character. 77 Wade achieves this with the use of wood construction and the fusion of contrasting materials. The provision of communal spaces for both the building’s users and the public, paralleled with the use of appropriate landscape design and softer and transparent cladding materials, makes 77 Wade Avenue a state-of-the-art contemporary office building that addresses the City and its urban citizens with a unique and innovative architectural language.
About BNC Architecture + Urban Design Established in 1969, Bogdan Newman Caranci Inc. is a Toronto-based firm with expertise in architecture, urban design, and master planning. For 50 years, BNC has been involved in projects across Canada, the US, and internationally, creating vibrant places for living, learning, working, and leisure. From institutional, cultural, commercial, mixed-use, and residential projects, to new community designs and urban redevelopment projects at all scales, the practice has a long, rich, and deep portfolio. Visit www.bncarchitects.ca .
