Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.    

Canada’s real estate boom has been strongly felt by all citizens, especially those residing in the nation’s larger metropolitans. In the past five years, the housing market has skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for younger generations to purchase and rent properties. High rent and purchasing prices are pushing city dwellers out of urban areas and into nearby towns. Among the two Canadian cities most notorious for unaffordable housing are Toronto and its west coast counterpart, Vancouver. This housing crisis is a multifaceted problem with numerous moving parts and contributing factors. When looking closely into Canada’s most populated city, Toronto, it becomes evident that government intervention is necessary to ensure Torontonians can afford their lives in the city. 

Toronto is the fifth-largest city in all of North America and is incredibly vibrant and multicultural. It is known for its unique architecture, diversity and opportunity — with nearly 50 percent of its population being foreign-born. With architecture ranging from 19th-century Georgian to postmodern styles, many dream of getting their hands on the quintessential red brick Victorian and Edwardian-esque homes that line many of Toronto’s downtown streets. However, such homes are hard to come by and cost a pretty penny. 

A major factor contributing to this crisis is that demand outweighs supply, recently proven by a report carried out by The Canadian Urban Institute, City of Toronto and Canadian Centre of Economic Analysis. From community housing to high-end real estate, there are simply not enough properties on the market. Due to such limited properties, the costs of the ones on the market are highly-prized and highly-priced. Toronto’s steadily growing population is equally contributing to this crisis. The influx of new Torontorians requires a stream of new properties. However, supply simply cannot keep up. 

Toronto’s housing inflation became so bad a few years back that the government stepped in and implemented a series of cooling measures. Back in April of 2017, the government of Ontario announced the Fair Housing Plan of Ontario, a plan which consisted of 16 different measures, all aimed at making housing more affordable while still protecting the investments undertaken by homeowners. The most significant of the measures were the rent control for private units built after 1991 and a tax on buyers purchasing dwellings as an investment and/or second property. According to the National Rent Report, the Canadian housing market has trended upward in the past year, with the average rent cost for a one-bedroom in Toronto currently priced at $2,023 ($1,589 USD). The report confirms that the housing market in Canada’s two largest cities, Toronto and Vancouver, is steadily increasing. 

Foreign purchasing has equally played a role in Toronto’s expensive real estate market. Back in 2017, the government imposed a tax of 15 percent on foreign buyers. This has helped stabilize the market — especially the condo market — however, prices are still worryingly high. There is a noticeable trend in publishing real estate ads in both English and Chinese, which is likely to attract numerous foreign buyers, many of whom are from mainland China. In recent months, the Canadian government has proposed a foreign buyer ban to help ease inflation and even the playing field for Canadians. However, some experts are not entirely sure if this ban will help as foreign buyers only account for a small fraction of Canadian real-estate purchases. 

Many thought that a market crash would have ensued following the pandemic, however, as we enter the post-pandemic world, rental rates continue to increase. Bullpen Research & Consulting says inflation, supply chain issues and rate changes could possibly impact the future of the market. Government policy changes during the pandemic worsened the situation as interest rates and borrowing costs were cut in half, thus creating a larger demand. Ultimately, the persisting supply and demand problem was only worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Toronto may not be the most expensive city in the world, however Canada has one of the most dramatic disconnects between income and property value. 

1200 Bay by Herzog & de Meuron, Concept Drawing, Toronto, Canada. 

Take Herzog & de Meuron‘s new concept design for example. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Bay-Bloor shopping district, the 1200 Bay tower will be for both private and commercial use. The tower will rise 87 stories high and will feature 332 condominium units ranging from one-bedrooms to penthouse suites. The proposed plans exemplify a sophisticated, state-of-the-art building that will house everything a dweller could desire: a fitness center, a concierge service and dining options. This project exemplifies one of Toronto’s biggest problems — a seemingly endless stream of condominiums being built for the rich. 

Model Suite of Sixty Colborne, Toronto, Canada.

In contrast, the Sixty Colborne condominiums exemplify yet another issue — tiny units. Located in Toronto’s historic St Lawrence market district, this condo embraces the neighborhood’s unique flair and charm. Designed to offer dwellers a chance to detach from the hustling and bustling city, Sixty Colborne comes complete with a fitness center, concierge service and guest suites. Comprised of 255 units, the average price per square foot in this building is $1,108 ($869.95 USD). The units range anywhere from a tiny 439 to a comfortable 2,290 square feet. 

Double Duplex by Batay-Csorba Architects, Toronto, Canada.

The Double Duplex home by Batay-Csorba Architects responds to Toronto’s rising real estate market and the housing shortage. To tackle such a problem, the architects turned the home into two separate properties. This offers the homeowners the option to rent out one of the units or use it as a second living space. Located in Toronto’s historic Parkdale neighborhood, this project exemplifies the use of densification within urban spaces to create additional housing and affordable first homes.

Canadian homes are even more out of reach than ever and the effects are strongly felt. The Trudeau government has proposed special taxes and other measures to help future buyers. Nonetheless, the future of the Canadian housing market remains uncertain for future generations and homebuyers.

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work through Architizer and sign up for our inspirational newsletter.    

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.  

As people switch from hard copies of books to digital versions, the role of a library in a community is constantly changing. Now, these institutions are more community centers than places to borrow a book from. Libraries now serve as the nexus of a variety of services such as computer access, book clubs, meeting or study spaces, children’s activities, author events, and so on. They are a refuge for those seeking to learn. In the past decades, new library designs have been approached as opportunities to create thriving social hubs in Canadian communities.

Images by Michael Grimm

Calgary Central Library by Snøhetta, Calgary, Canada

The form of the building is governed by structures around it. The Light Rain Transit Line moves from above the ground to underground at this part of the city, so the entrance is raised over the train’s path. This raised entryway acts as a plaza that connects with the street and welcomes visitors inside. Inside, the spaces coil in a spiral that envelops the central atrium and culminate in an oculus.

The building houses reading areas, digital and group meeting rooms, study spaces and outdoor amphitheaters. A hexagonal pattern made of triple-glazed panels, fritted glass and iridescent aluminum covers the façade and controls light and visibility in different parts of the structure.

Images by Adam Mørk

Halifax Central Library by schmidt hammer lassen architects, Halifax, Canada

Surrounded by some of the most important new and historic buildings in Halifax, the library has now become an important center for the residents. The building is planned as three volumes that are placed on top of one another in a subtle twist arrangement. An additional fourth block on the top creates a large perpendicular cantilever. The inside is broken up into different floors with a large central atrium. These levels are connected by staircases going in different directions. The library also has a green roof terrace for visitors to observe the views of the historic structures around.

Capilano Branch Library by Group 2 Architecture+ Interior Design, Edmonton, Canada

The fan-like library makes a bold statement with its black and natural wood exterior. The fragmented roof form incorporates fenestrations at different levels to allow natural light to enter from the top. From the underside of the roof, wooden slats continue on the ceilings inside to add brightness. This pattern also provide camouflage to help integrate light fixtures and a sprinkler system. Inside, the library is divided into three zones that include both fixed and flexible space planning. There are armchairs on the longer edge of the building for visitors to take in the views outside as they read.

Images by doublespace photography inc

Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library by ZAS Architects + Interiors, Vaughan, Canada

The Vaughan Civic Centre Resource Library features a swooping roof and a large central courtyard. The street-facing façades play with transparency to convey openness and prompt passersby to enter the structure. The changing patterns  and shifting parts play with the sunlight and channel it indoors. Open and flexible spaces make up the inside to create more interaction among the users and also facilitate group learning. The library also houses a café, reading area, activity space, sound and video recording studios and maker spaces with equipment like 3D printers.

Images by Tom Arban and Maris Mezulis

Fort York Branch Library by KPMB Architects, Toronto, Canada

The library and amenities for the surrounding condominiums were planned as pavilions in a public park. The building is made up of a base block that connects to the park with a larger volume on the top that oversees Fort York. The northern, western and southern facades are covered in metal fins for solar protection throughout the day. The large glass panels in between allow the light from within to become visible at night, making it stand out in the neighborhood. “The Planters”, a drawing by artist Charles Pachter, is recreated on the metal fins on the western side using perforations. Margaret Atwood’s poems are added to the soffit.

Monique-Corriveau Library by Dan Hanganu + Côté Leahy Cardas Architects, Quebec, Canada

The Monique-Corriveau Library is built in what was once the St. Denys-du-Plateau Church designed by Jean-Marie Roy in the 1960s. The building resembles a tent with a spire on the top. The public functions of the library are situated in the nave of the plan while the community hall and administrative functions ate located in the extension. The structural framework within the building is left exposed and painted in white. This is contrasted with pops of color throughout. In addition to that, glass dividers and railings have been used for visual connectivity.

Jasper Place Branch Library by Dub Architects and HCMA Architecture + Design, Edmonton, Canada

Created with an intention to provide a social hub that goes beyond books, Jasper Place Branch Library is responsive to the changing needs of the community. It features flexible column-free spaces for ease of movement and organization. The undulating roof is a folded-plate concrete slab that includes skylights and acoustic panels and also prevents the accumulation of water or snow. It also helps defines spaces inside without requiring partitions or columns. The southern façade is glazed to capture sunlight and heat during the winter months and the covered eastern and western sides help keep the building cool in the summer.

Surrey City Centre Library by Revery Architecture, Surrey, Canada

The shape of the building is driven by the curvature of the adjacent street. It is further enhanced with inclined walls and unconventional windows. In addition to creating a design language, the walls also help with solar shading and reduce energy use. The firm used a social media strategy to gain public input while designing the building. Like a few other structures in this collection, this building also features a large central atrium that guides circulation throughout the building. It comprises study areas, reading rooms, meeting spaces, computer areas, a children’s library and a coffee shop.

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.