A new community is forming around Wilson subway station in northwest Toronto, replacing former surface parking and lower-density commercial and light industrial buildings with new medium-density, mostly residential development. Among the firms reshaping this burgeoning pocket of the city is Collecdev, who have a pair of active projects in the area. The further along of the two is Tretti Condos, a 13-storey, gh3-designed development playfully given the Norwegian word for 30, its address on Tippett Road, just south of WIlson Avenue, while on Wilson Avenue itself, Collecdev has just started work on Nordic Condos, continuing the Scandinavian theme.

Panorama of below-grade forming at Tretti site, image by Forum contributor drum118

Construction commenced on Tretti in 2019, and following excavation work, forming work has been progressing gradually through the months since, impacted somewhat by the Covid situation. While sections of Tretti’s four-level underground garage have now taken shape, the pit also extends to the south beyond the footprint of the 13-storey condo, as the Tretti site is to also host a pair of rental buildings, dubbed Tippett Park phases 1 and 2. The 14-storey first phase is currently under construction along with the condo, while the phase 2 rental building remains in pre-construction, filed under a different City planning application.

Below-grade forming at Tretti site, image by Forum contributor drum118

The site is one of several Collecdev projects set to make use of a closed-loop geothermal system that cycles a mix of antifreeze and water through pipes buried in the ground, utilizing the constant temperatures below the surface to heat buildings in winter months and cool them in summer months. To better understand the system, we spoke with Jon Mesquita, partner and co-founder of Diverso Energy, the company handling the geothermal work for Tretti. “The closed-loop geothermal system at Tretti Condos is expected to eliminate 225 tons of CO² and save 3.3M litres of drinking water annually, while reducing overall building energy consumption by 20%,” Mesquita told us.

Tretti Condos, image courtesy of Collecdev

Work on the geothermal system was among the first activity at the site, with Mesquita saying “The geothermal bore-field was installed prior to any building construction. The holes were predrilled and the pipes were capped and cut just below final grade. This allowed for excavation to proceed as normal, and once they reached final grade, we came back in and connected our pipes together. That minimized the impact to Collecdev’s construction schedule. The remainder of the geothermal system—manifold, pumps, and controls—will be completed and connected to the building’s mechanical system closer to building completion and occupancy.”

Sustainability features at Tretti Condos, image courtesy of Collecdev

Similar work is being carried out by another geothermal contractor a short distance away, for Collecdev’s next addition to the neighbourhood in the upcoming Nordic Condos project. As site preparation work clears the existing buildings from the Wilson Avenue site of that 12-storey residential complex, drilling rigs are working away on boreholes for its geothermal system, in a process illustrated with photos in a recent construction update.

Demolition and geothermal drilling continue at nearby Nordic Condos site, image by Forum contributor drum118

You can learn more from our Database files for the projects mentioned, linked below. If you’d like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

Source: Urban Toronto

Early site activity is setting the stage for Nørdic Condos near Wilson subway station in North York, clearing the way for Collecdev‘s 12-storey residential complex. Designed by Raymond Chow of gh3, the project is part of a wave of residential intensification within walking distance of the station, and will add another 429 condominium units to the mix, along with increased retail presence fronting Wilson Avenue.

Looking northeast to Nørdic Condos, image via submission to City of Toronto

Demolition commenced earlier this summer at the site’s west end, closest to Wilson Station, starting with the gutting of a four-storey commercial building at 530 Wilson Avenue which had been used as a presentation centre for Nørdic, and for previous Collecdev projects in the neighbourhood. A pair of four-storey rental buildings at 470 and 490 Wilson Avenue were also gutted.

Residential buildings at site of Nørdic Condos, image by Edward Skira

When we last checked in on the site in August, the first signs of demolition were apparent as the site had been surrounded in fencing and initial interior gutting had commenced. A month later, interior demolition has progressed a fair bit as crews from Orin Demoltion meticulously strip out interior finishes in preparation for structural demolition.

Residential buildings at site of Nørdic Condos, image by Edward Skira

To the west of the residential buildings, the former commercial building recently had the first of its exterior cladding removed, a section of its (recently white-painted) red brick finishes. Structural demolition of the commercial and residential buildings is next, to clear the site and allow the start of shoring and excavation for the new residential complex and park.

Office building at site of Nørdic Condos, image by Edward Skira

Meanwhile, the first signs of the building’s geothermal system—a regular feature in Collecdev projects—have been spotted in the form of geothermal drilling rigs, which will drill wells across the site as an element of the sustainable system. Geothermal heating and cooling is expected to reduce Nørdic’s carbon emissions by 70% and provide residents with predictable utility costs.

Geothermal drilling rig at site of Nørdic Condos, image by Edward Skira

Source: Urban Toronto

Earlier this month we sat down to talk living spaces with Raymond Chow, award-winning architect and partner at gh3*. Today we dive into the design details that help make Collecdev homes some of the most sought-after on the market.

Your designs for Collecdev communities, particularly TRETTI and Nørdic, have been extremely well received. Why do you think buyers are responding with such enthusiasm?
I think our philosophy resonates with purchasers, and it’s a philosophy shared by Collecdev. Together, we’re creating residences that offer thoughtful consideration of key architectural elements such as proportion, material selection, and natural light. None of these need to cost more money, and buyers appreciate that.

They also seem to appreciate your approach to multifunctional design. City living usually requires a tradeoff between physical space and urban convenience, but the communities you’ve designed with Collecdev don’t appear to sacrifice function at all. How do you ensure that spaces remain functional at any size?
Size isn’t actually the most important metric here. The issue is usually the layout itself – the amount of built-in storage provided, the carefully considered placement of fixtures and appliances, careful planning so that every bedroom is on a windowed wall… By taking a more thoughtful approach to these elements, we’re able to create functional spaces that work well at any size. It’s about smarter design, where size is not a limiting factor to how well you live.

Would you say that multifunctionality is a conscious strategy at gh3*?
Yes – it’s fundamental. People need flexible spaces to meet the demands of our busier lifestyles. If the last few months have taught us anything, it’s that home is a place where we spend a lot of our time. Even before COVID, more people were working from home. Now, our homes need to be a place where we can work, relax, retreat, entertain, all in the same space. That space needs to adapt to our needs, not the other way around.

How can good design be made more accessible for everyone?
Don’t over design. Don’t try to be too trendy or ‘of the time’. It’s important that architects, designers, and developers prioritize functionality and quality wherever possible. Design with purpose and simplicity in mind and you’ll often arrive at the most elegant solution.

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