The City of Toronto has reemployed Montgomery Sisam Architects, which earlier this year completed affordable housing on two City-owned sites, to design modular affordable housing for six new sites. The ongoing initiative will provide better quality long-term housing for those currently experiencing homelessness.
With these six new sites, Montgomery Sisam’s plans have evolved based on its earlier work for the City, further improving quality of living and dwelling flow, including through:
- Improved neighbourhood integration: End modules have been enhanced to improve urban integration, routing, landscaping and expansion opportunities. Cladding details are also amended to improve the material quality and expression of the façades.
- Enhanced unit layout: Built-in wardrobes have been repositioned to improve overall flow and layout, while windows are shifted to improve the dwellings’ entry experience.
- An additional focus on sustainability: Mechanical and electrical modules are widened to improve coordination and routing, and to accommodate Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 sustainability requirements. Buildings will also include ample space for bike parking.
Initiated in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic to relieve pressure on the shelter system and create safe, permanent housing solutions for its most marginalized residents, the Modular Housing Phase 2 plan comprises an additional 398 new self-contained units across six distinct sites in the city of Toronto: 175 Cummer Ave, Trenton Ave & Cedarvale Ave, 7 Glamorgan Ave, 75 Tandridge Cres, 4626 Kingston Rd, and 150 Dunn Ave.
Phase 2 also included test-fit studies for an additional 12 sites under consideration for future phases of the Rapid Housing Initiative.