Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding, and it takes some amount of practice to create the end product – the beautiful little scupltures – that origami is known for. The process of designing a new building is little different, with many iterations coaxed into existence before a final design comes about that looks just right. In the case of a planned development for Bathurst Street north of Queen, that similar process is made tangible in this building's outer skin, one that reads as a folded sculpture, and one that could be understood as Origami Lofts.

When Symmetry Developments' Sayf Hassan asked Teeple Architects to design a new boutique condominium for him, Hassan's initial direction was "for Steve to design a wild dress for the building to 'wear'. He came up with the concept of a glass core attired in the wild dress." Below, one of the earliest versions in response.

Origami Lofts, early version, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

Over the course of nine months the design has evolved: the neighbourhood has been consulted, and the planning department has considered the details, and Symmetry and Teeple have worked on what makes best sense for the building they propose to sell and build. We don't often get a look at the steps along the way to the final product, but the evolution is presented below. Hassan writes that it "then evolved into a more playful facade, which still adhered to the original intent of dressing a glass core with a wild wrap."

Origami Lofts, early revision, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

Next, "Further evolution into a more recti-linear shape - again keeping the original intent intact:"

Origami Lofts, following revision, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

Soon, zinc was the material chosen to act as the wrap: "Higher up the Origami evolutionary ladder, and again remaining loyal to the original concept."

Origami Lofts, first published revision, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

With further tweaks, the design above evolved into the design below:

Origami Lofts, second published revision, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

This week, the final marketing design was revealed: "Numerous revisions and angular planes later, voila! Origami Lofts. A glass core wrapped in a wild zinc robe."

Origami Lofts, final version, by Teeple Architects for Symmetry Developments

Want to know more about Origami Lofts? Check into UrbanToronto's dataBase page for the building, linked below. It includes more detailed views and more information. Want to get in on the discussion? UrbanToronto's associated Forum threads are linked below too.