Few developers in Toronto are so generous with UrbanToronto as they work through the design of a new project as is Symmetry Developments. We do not normally get to see renderings until the project is finalized and marketing is in gear, but with Symmetry's new Origami Lofts condominium project on Bathurst north of Queen, we have been treated to a number of steps along the way to the final product.

It started this past December when Symmetry sent us this preliminary rendering of their new project, their third to be designed Teeple Architects, one of Toronto's more avant garde modernist firms, and a darling 'round these here parts.

Preliminary Design of Origami Lofts by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments, Dec 2011

Symmetry teased us with the location of the new building, but that was revealed as the next, more fully fleshed out rendering followed quickly in January, anchoring the project on the southwest corner of Bathurst and Wolseley. Clad in a zinc curtain, the wrap ends above the sixth floor, allowing a glass core to emerge.

Preliminary Design of Origami Lofts by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments, Jan 2012

The design drew lots of attention on UrbanToronto, creating a fair bit of excitement. While not everyone wanted to see such a daring design, for others the dramatic angles are just what they want to help shake up what they consider to be a too conservative city, design-wise.

It's a third of a year later now, and the angular design has morphed as the project makes its way through the approvals process and closer to sales. Symmetry has released these updated views of the revised project, now seven storeys. Here's your latest look, from three angles:

Revised Design of Origami Lofts by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments, looking northwest, Apr 2012

Revised Design of Origami Lofts by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments, looking southwest, Apr 2012

Revised Design of Origami Lofts by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments, looking east, Apr 2012

These views leave some blanks obviously – more fully detailed renderings are still to come – but they show an angular building now fitting better into the angular planes prescribed by the City to limit shadows and overlooks, and in the topmost of the three views above we get to see the funky treatment proposed for the project's southern wall.

We look forward to the next stage where we will get fully detailed renderings again, and get a look at interior plans too. While we wait, UrbanToronto's dataBase contains pages, linked below, featuring Symmetry's current projects; Linea, just finishing off on Bayview Avenue north of Sheppard, and Hive, on the Queensway east of Islington. Both of these are also Teeple designs, and photos of Linea in the associated forum threads (also linked below) show the high quality of materials on the exterior, and the attention to detail that that has been paid on the project. It's all very promising for what comes next!