Copenhagen architecture firm 3XN has won a competition to design a new mixed-use building featuring wavy balconies and rising two 'peaks' settled on a large podium. 3XN's second commission for Toronto aims at revitalising the former ignored industrial East Bayfront area, which will invite local visitors to interact with building's playful facade. 

The Parliament Slip with its boats and promenade will be activated by retail and balconies

Named Waves at Bayside, the project, commissioned by Tridel, along with its partner Hines, will encompass the 40,000-square-metre area with residential, retail and community spaces. 

Anchoring the Eastern edge of the Bayside Development on Toronto’s Revitalized Waterfront, "The Waves" at Bayside takes cues from its spectacular lakeside location. The building's playful façade acts as a reflection of the waves across Lake Ontario.

Looking down across the multi-tired decks onto the amenity terrace

The building is 3XN's second significant residential development on Toronto's waterfront, located right next to the Copenhagen based firm’s first North American project - Aquabella. 

"The unique aspects of the site constraints have been the primary driver behind the building design, massing, and terraces strategy. In anticipation of the DRP and City Approvals process, the building is positioned to be a good neighbor to the surrounding, respecting its views and sight lines," said 3XN. 

A pedestrian passage is planned opposite the end of Edgewater Drive

Shaped as a landscape with two high points and a valley in-between, the studio shifts these two "peaks" slightly apart to maximize waterfront views from each unit. As the building steps back on higher floors, a large percentage of the suites benefit from the steps becoming spacious terraces. 

Within the "valley" of the project, the building's shared amenities are found; both indoor spaces such as community rooms, along with an expansive deck space with an outdoor pool.

The easily openable façade allows for the living room to spill out onto the terrace during warmer weather

"Toronto’s waterfront is undergoing tremendous change, and the Bayside development is a central role in its revitalisation. The podium of the building will have a continuous double height façade facing towards the promenade, with a through-block connection as an extension of Edgewater Drive," said the firm. 

Areal view of The Waves at Bayside

3XN proposes various public functions (such as a rowing club) at the podium to activate the waterfront along with different restaurants and cafes. The activation of the waterside edge has been a central part of the design process, The Waves at Bayside should be beneficial for the residents and contribute to the betterment of the City of Toronto itself.

Looking northeast to The Waves at Bayside

3XN's Waves at Bayside is located on the edge of Google’s parent company Alphabet’s newly announced smart community project named Quayside, driven by its subsidiary Sidewalk Labs. The community will span the entire 3,200,000 m2 (800-acre) waterfront area once completed. 

Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto have imagined a neighbourhood that would incorporate high-tech systems to help solve current city issues, like a lack of affordable housing, traffic congestion and safety, and environmental impact.

Site plan

Construction work for the project is expected to start by the end of 2018 and it is expected to complete in 2022. 

3XN recently unveiled its first high-rise project for Toronto, which is planned for Toronto’s vibrant and historic Church and Wellesley district. 3XN's sinuous façade structure Olympic House in Switzerland is also under construction - last month the firm released its construction photos for the first time. 

Project facts

Project name: Waves at Bayside

Location: Toronto, Canada

Typology: Residential, Retail, Community Space

Size: 40,000 m2

Height: 60m

Credits

Architect: 3XN

Team: Kim Herforth Nielsen, Audun Opdal, Marie Hesseldahl Larsen, Oskar Nordstrom, Marc-Antoine Chartier Primeau, Frank Muller, Dora Lin Jiabao, Andrew Le, Zi Shin Low, Sang Yeun Lee, Aleksandre Andghuladze

Client: Tridel/Hines

Executive architect: Kirkor Architetcs

Timeline

Construction Start: 2019       

Expected completion: 2022

All images © 3XN

> via 3XN