Toronto Artscape and the City of Toronto worked with DTAH to convert an early 20th century TTC streetcar repair and maintenance facility into a mixed-use centre for artists and environmental organizations.

The Artscape Wychwood barns consist of 26 live/work housing units, 15 work studios for local artists, a series of community spaces for arts and environmental groups, and a greenhouse and sheltered garden, all adjacent to a newly developed park by the City of Toronto. The oldest barn, built in 1913, is converted into a covered street that provides access through the facility as well as a place for markets, exhibitions and large public gatherings.

The project is targeting LEED gold certification for sustainability. Included in the design are a large cistern to collect roof water for irrigation and use in washrooms, and a provision for a ground source heat pump HVAC system.

Watch the video of Joe Lobko talking about the Barns.

Client:
Toronto Artscape and the City of Toronto

Awards:
Urban Land Institute, Award of Excellence: The Americas Competition, Finalist, 2011
Zerofootprint Re-Skinning Award Finalist, 2011
The Peter Stokes Award for Adaptive Reuse, 2009
Toronto Urban Design Awards, Honourable Mention, 2009
Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts, Award of Merit, 2009
SABMag, Canadian Green Building Award, 2009
City of Toronto Green Design Awards, Award of Excellence, 2009
Congress for New Urbanism, Charter Award, 2009
Ontario Association of Architects, Design Excellence Award, Best of Show Award, 2009
Canadian Urban Institute, Brownie Award, 2008