GANANOQUE CONDOMINIUMS

GANANOQUE CONDOMINIUMS

The site for this residential condominium sits south of Gananoque’s downtown core, on a small peninsula adjacent to the St. Lawrence River, known as “Lowertown”, home to the famous Gananoque Boat Line – “the gateway to the 1000 Islands”. This riverfront site, steeped in history, is most notable for a battle that took place during the War of 1812. Inspired by this historical fact, we started the design concept by looking at numerous military fortifications left behind from that war, which were built along the St. Lawrence River. The more noteworthy of these structures tended to be built out of local grey dolomite limestone and were cylindrical in shape. As such, these soft circular shapes began to resonate with us, where we eventually adopted an oval shape (a modified circle) as the chosen form for our condominium.

As such, the exterior of the condominium became expressed as a massive, curving, textured limestone mass, complete with a courtyard. With that, we returned to our military aesthetic and developed the exterior windows as long vertical slots. These long windows, reminiscent of the “gun slots” typically found on the military buildings of 1812, have more refined proportions, better able to absorb natural light. Further, these windows were arranged in a staggered pattern that is generally associated with modern architecture.

Capping the top of this oval-shaped stone building is a ring of planting, complete with maple trees. This greening of the building’s top perimeter not only provides the penthouse suites with foliage next to their outdoor decks, it also abstractly gives the condominium an aging effect, much like an overgrown “ruin”. Vegetated roofs can also be found on top of the “public lounges”, which protrude from the sides of the condominium. Here, in an effort to promote impromptu meetings with neighbours, these public lounges allow for casual conversations and spontaneous social interaction.

At the very top of the building the public amenities can be found, complete with an indoor pool, offering magnificent 360° views of the St. Lawrence River and Lowertown.

The aesthetics of the ever-present white boats of the Gananoque Boat Line (established in 1950) also work their way into the design of this condominium, as the building’s courtyard carries with it a distinct nautical tone. Primarily composed of stepped glass facades with white structural members and protruding white shading devices (brise-soleils), the architecture of the courtyard is characteristic of two white lakers, docked side by side.

Balcony textures and colours within this white, nautically inspired courtyard architecture, were purposely contrasted. Using green “patinated copper” to stand out against the primarily white background, the balconies add a welcome colour, while alluding to the green copper roofs of older “Lowertown” buildings. Additionally, the private outer decks of penthouse suites are surfaced in composite wood decking, very similar to the walking decks on the Gananoque boats next door.

The condominiums’ tree-lined courtyard was strategically positioned so that it would align with the relocated 1000 Islands Boat Company, in Lowertown’s public park. At grade, the courtyard is a mixture of retail and landscaping. Inspired by the diversity of nature found within the “Frontenac Arch Biosphere”, the courtyard’s landscape design mixes water, rocks, trees, grasses, trellises and foot bridges, with numerous areas of repose, offering the best mixed-use experience to seasoned shoppers.

LOCATION: Gananoque, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects

DESIGN LEADERSHIP: Michael Poitras,
Principal-in-Charge

DESIGN COMPETITION: Second Place

CLIENT: Corporation of the Town of Gananoque

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 7
  • Total area:
    44,100 ft2 (4,097 m2)
  • Total height: 75 ft (23 m)
  • Surface parking: 48 stalls
    (including 6 barrier-free)
  • Below grade parking: 77 stalls
    (including 2 barrier-free)

MATERIALS:

  • Poured in-place concrete (retail entrance & horizontal bands)
  • Textured dolomite limestone cladding
  • Patinated copper balconies
  • Glass guardrails
  • Composite wood decking (grey)
  • Precast concrete pavers (grey)
  • Flamed black granite flooring
  • Outdoor landscaping

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Residential
    Total no. of units: 42 (mixture of 1 & 2 bedroom units)
    + 7 retail units at ground floor
  • Retail
  • Lobby
  • Public courtyard
  • Amenity area
  • Lounge areas
  • Pool + change rooms
  • Loading docks: 2

LEED: Gold

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: Project