THE ESTONIAN CULTURAL CENTRE

2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

This new 36,000 sq. ft. cultural hub in the heart of Toronto hosts a series of cultural spaces for the Estonian community in North America while at the same time opening its’ doors to the public for performances, public lectures, and film festivals.

The building program includes a public courtyard, cafe, confer-ence and performance spaces, classrooms and study lounge, art studios, library, sauna spa, accelerator space for digital start-ups, and administrative offices. The Centre will also incorporate and renovate a designated heritage mansion neighbouring the facil-ity. Spaces are available for lease by individuals, organizations, community groups, welcoming a broad range of uses and users.

The building is structured as a series of platforms enclosed by a luminous curtain of glass and cast aluminum. The platforms act as a series of stages where the community (actors) come to socialize, celebrate and perform.

Spaces are technologically sophisticated as befit a country known as the Digital Republic*. This sophistication ensures the facility will remain flexible for future users while simultaneously show-casing the country’s technological savvy.

Sustainability is a key characteristic of Estonians’ attitude towards our environment. The building therefore, minimizes its’ carbon footprint by generating energy on-site through, recycling

gray water, employing a high-performance building envelope with triple-pane glazing and operable windows for natural venti-lation, as well as in-floor water-sourced heating and cooling. Exterior spaces incorporate permeable pavers and vegetated roofs. The facility is targeting Toronto Green Standards Tier Two with construction beginning in 2019.

*Estonia, The Digital Republic, Nathan Yeller, The New Yorker, December 18-25 2017 Issue

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The project is located within the Madison Avenue Heritage Conservation District and along the Bloor Cultural Corridor.

The site, 9-11 Madison Avenue, is well serviced by public tran-sit, located at the intersection of two subway lines (Line 1, Yonge-University and Line 2, Bloor-Danforth). Additionally, the new crosstown cycling lane along Bloor Street encourages passive commuting. Both of these factors contribute to the Estonian community’s design values to minimize the facility’s carbon footprint by reducing the reliance on automobile access to the Centre.

Surrounded by many community and cultural landmarks such as the University of Toronto, the Bata Shoe Museum, and the Royal Ontario Museum, the Estonian Cultural Centre contrib-utes to the areas’ and critical mass of cultural institutions as a destination for Torontonians and visitors.

contextBATA SHOE MUSEUM

JEWISHCENTRE

ESTONIANCENTRE

ST. GEORGESTATION

ALLIANCEFRANCAISE

ROBARTSLIBRARY

MUSEUMSTATIONROYAL CONSER-

VATORY OF MUSIC

SPADINASTATION

GARDINERMUSEUM

ROM

U of T

TORONTO

NEW YORK

MONTREAL

CHICAGO

800K

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ADIU

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Set within a residential neighbourhood that is experiencing increased development, the Estonian Culture Centre considers its’ context in scale, form, and materiality.

A mid-rise development with three levels above-grade in total, the ECC acts as a buffer between the high-rise developments of up to 20-storeys and the historic residential houses lined along Madison Avenue.

Contextually, the building reflects the serrations of the residen-tial facades along Madison Avenue. The serrated form takes the shape of Estonia’s landmass. The irregularity of the form, and the varying scales of the serrations, provides the opportunity for pause along the curtain wall, allowing for quieter encounters and engagement among users.

Clothed in glass and cast foamed aluminum panels, the building has an elegant, landmark quality that reciprocates other nearby architectural destinations.

concept

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Estonian New Year’s tradition of ‘Bleigiessen’ - lead dripping to forecast the years ahead. Cast foam aluminum panel inspired by ‘Bleigiessen’

These panel in conjunction with the glass curtain rein-

force the conceptual and aesthetic quality of the Centre.

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The east-west orientation of the proposed facility, and the Paul Martel Park to the west, ensures the Centres’ courtyard has sunlight through all four seasons.

The projects’ courtyard and proposed through-block connection reinforces the City of Toronto’s planning initiative to create a secondary pedestrian-oriented residential and commercial zone to animate the side streets.

site

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The entry courtyard hosts an outdoor event / viewed from the Paul Martel Park directly west of the Centre.

“A design that reflects 24/7 digital culture and our four seasons.”

design

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1. Community Space2. Men Washroom 3. Women Washroom4. Accessible Washroom/Shower5. Mechanical & Electrical6. Storage7. Sauna & Change room8. Community Room

Lower Level Ground Floor

10. Accelerator for digital start-ups11. Lobby12. Estonian trade office13. Cafe14. Vestibule15. Credit Union16. ATM Vestibule17. Courtyard

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RETAIL & SERVICES RETAIL & PUBLIC COURTYARD

This level will host the catering facilities and provide lease-able community space, like fitness studios, for community members.

The Ground Floor of the Estonian Centre will welcome the community with a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly courtyard, a cafe, and lease-able studio and office space.

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The pedestrian-oriented courtyard also provides a mid-block east-west connection, relieving foot-traffic along Bloor Street and inviting use by the general public.

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Community Use• Flexible Main Hall• Special Connectivity Events• Highly Desirable Renting Opportunities• 330 People Capacity• Catering Facilities

19. Estonian Foundation of Canada20. Second Level Lobby21. Women Washroom22. Men Washroom23. Kitchen24. Coat-check storage25. Reception Area26. Performance Area27. Storage/ Service corridor28. Main Hall29. Balcony

Second Floor: Hall Configuration A Second Floor: Hall Configuration BCOMMUNITY USE COMMUNITY USE

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A flexible main hall with 330-seat capacity is the feature of this level and will be supported by catering facilities. The Centre will host Estonian community events and rent to the public.

Divisible into three private rooms, the hall has the capacity to host public or private events with the added support of the catering facilities.

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The Estonian Cultural Centre staged to celebrate the Arts.

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30. Library31. Universal Washroom32. Third Level Lobby33. Classroom A+B34. Storage35. Classroom C+D36. Study Lounge37. Meeting Space

38. Roof Lobby39. Mechanical Penthouse40. Roof Terrace

Third Floor Terrace

Focused on learning, this level hosts a library, classrooms (24-30 seats), offices, and a meeting room (20 seats).

A west-facing, accessible rooftop terrace adds to the facility’s sustainability goals and presents additional green space in this dense urban neighbourhood.

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COMMUNITY USE COMMUNITY USE

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A sustainable rooftop terrace planted with indigenous flowers and grasses.

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East Elevation

SOLAR PANELSTHIRD FLOOR

TERRACE

SECOND FLOOR

GROUND FLOOR

GREY WATER CISTERN

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The ECC will meet the City of Toronto’s Green Standards, Tier Two. Sustainable design initiatives for the facility include, but are not limited to:

• Native plantings, bioswales, and gray water collection and storage;

• Bird-friendly glazing;• Green and cool roof with native vegetation;• Shower and change facilities;• Bicycle parking;• Urban heat island reduction;• On-site renewable energy; and• Energy efficient in-floor water distributed heating and cooling

system.

sustainability