Ten York design, an interview with architect Rudy Wallman

Tridel has just launched a building set to make a striking addition to Toronto’s skyline.

“It fits onto a very difficult triangular site between two highways,” says architect Rudy Wallman, of Ten York, which will be bordered by Lake Shore, York and Harbour. “The idea is to get the maximum impact we can get with the light and look of the exterior and how we’re trying to do that is to keep a simple shape and attached to that shape are extracting glass boxes. They will be treated with varying materials and with different angles to catch the light. The idea is that the tower will actually shimmer like the northern lights or like a curtain or a veil.”

As the building is right beside the Gardiner Expressway and will be 75 soaring stories high, it will make a big impact on those coming into the city.

“We’re playing off adjacent buildings like the Ice development,” says Rudy. “Because we are very similar in height and shape, the two buildings will act as a gateway when people drive through town. It really will be a marker for this part of the downtown”

The triangular shape of the site also created interesting opportunities for the base.

“The base is not just an entrance but also above-grade parking, mechanical rooms and amentities,” says Rudy. “We’re giving the base a very unique exterior treatment which is appropriate given that its between the highway and an offramp. It’s essentially a blank solid structural box, which is that way because of structural requirements. But the entire thing is clad in clear glass which is etched with a pattern of coloured glass. It creates a lot of excitement to that part of the building and is an appropriate treatment for how close it is to the highway.”

Special care was also paid to the shape of the building and how it would impact the neighbouring ones.

“The shape is partially determined by being respectful to neighbouring towers and maintaining views for buildings to the north and south,” says Rudy. “So it’s very slender and thin. And we have to have a special structural sway damper at the very top of the building because of the size and slenderness of the tower.”

A lot of consideration was put into the ground level as well, with an above ground weather protection system. Rudy says this is meant to take the place of the PATH, which ends under Maple Leaf Square at York and Lakeshore. The design also features inset balconies, which feel safer at very high heights.

“It’s technically very interesting and challenging,” says Rudy.

We’re very interested to see it in it’s final form!