Renovation of semi-detached homes into office space helps urban-health institute reconnect with its roots
Photos courtesy Agathom Co.
“This idea of rebirth and regrowth, and the idea of thinking about urban regeneration is important,” says Dr. Kwame McKenzie, chief executive officer of the Wellesley Institute, which studies urban communities and the social determinants of health. “And one of the things we know about health is access to green space, seeing green space, is good for your health.”Crews work on the south-facing wall of the former residential duplex at 201-203 Gerrard St. E.
“You really get all that interesting stuff going on,” says architect Adam Thom, taking it all in. “When these houses were built, nobody cared about the garden side, it was a place to hang your laundry, maybe the kids could play there, but it wasn’t viewed like the little oasis that we see nowadays … that there’s activity here that’s allowed to be seen is really important.”
“That’s a really sweet detail,” Mr. Thom says. “I know it sounds like a small thing, but to get it on a budget like this is a real win.”And speaking of interiors, while decades of non-residential usage means little has survived, what was found under drywall, namely the two dwellings’ eight fireplaces, will be incorporated into the interior scheme. And, interestingly, since there are now various level changes that don’t correspond to the originals, many of these will be “flying fireplaces.
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