Urban Totem

The strategic position of the tower at an urban level has addressed towards the development of a project based on the concept of an ‘urban totem’, which can become a ‘catalyzing’ symbol for commercial and business activities as well as for a dynamic and enthusiastic lifestyle. This aspect has been developed not only in a programmatic, but also in a formal way by creating a tower made up of overlapping “mega-bricks” that rotate around the “core” axis as the peak is approached. These elements contain within themselves three floors each and are conceived as small communities featuring different housing units, both simplex and duplex, of variable size in terms of square meters. This kind of approach favors a varied combination among its inhabitants, thus guaranteeing a real ‘social blend’ and a life of contacts. The rotation of these “mega-bricks” enables not only to bring dynamism to the classic monolithic structure of this type of building, but also to enjoy the views opening up towards the landscape and the surrounding city. Views that are ever-changing from the various apartments and make them unique one from the other. Moreover this peculiar shape permits to progressively “meet” the drive of dominant winds, just as a sail allowing for the wind to pass through thus reducing its pressure on the top of the mast. From a structural point of view, the core is double and of a circular type; externally there are two opposing corridors within a reticular steel structure {three floors high, i.e. as a single “mega-brick”} anchored to the core, to which are connected other reticular structures that are internal to the partition walls between the various apartments. The resulting structure is of a ramified type {or also tentacular} and permits to leave the façade free so that in can be organized in large segmented glass surfaces and in ample and pleasant continuous terraces marking each floor {a real occasion for socialization} achieving a final effect of almost “geologic stratification”. The first two floors, at basement level, also respond to the will of making the fluxes within them fluid: a series of functionally separated volumes, which are easily identified by the user thanks to a strong transparency of the activities on site {shops, offices, cafes, live-work units}, enable to live this space as an urban square along Hurontario Street and Burnhamthorpe Road, thus strengthening its aggregative and commercial urban role.

Housing Tower
Mississauga (Canada)
International Competition _Honorary Mention

Plot Area_4.090 sq.m.
Built surface_44.921 sq.m.
Height _172 mt
Client_ Fernbrook / Cityzen