s[place]s places between spaces
04-26-2021 Amanda Nalli
Thesis Statement This project investigates the third place as spaces vital to the community’s social, economic and programmatic capital. The closure of many of these spaces present themselves as prime real estate for future development. However, before the construction begins, there is a provisional period where these spaces are derelict - stripped of material and human activity. How can these residual spaces play a role in the life of its residents, acting as a threshold between intersecting communities, and a threshold to the future, while providing a lasting legacy?
“Where the means and facilities for relaxation and leisure are not publicly shared, they become the objects of private ownership and consumption. Most needed are those ‘third places’.” - Ray Oldeburg, The Great Good Place
St. Clair Avenue
Downtown Toronto
ST. CLAIR THROUGH THE YEARS
1884
1890
1913
1945
1924: St. Clair and Oakwood, Streetcar opening inauguration.
1982: St. Clair and Dufferin St, Celebrations for 1982 World Cup finals.
ST. CLAIR AVENUE AS A THRESHOLD
2019: St. Clair and Arlington Ave, Salsa on St. Clair Festival
THE BUILT CONTEXT
community centre school (daycare, primary + secondary) library places of worship public open space
ST. CLAIR AVENUE: PUBLIC SPACES
0
0.5
1
2km
food (restaurants, markets, grocery stores) retail (clothing, houseware, textile) arts + culture (gallery, theatre, dance + art studio, social groups) arts + cultural group spaces that closed down in the last 5 years
ST. CLAIR AVENUE: THIRD PLACES
0
0.5
1
2km
1980s+1990s: Crowds would gather at Consiglio’s Kitchenware Store for their annual Great Tomato Hunt contest.
property for lease or for sale vacant property area currently under redevelopment
ST. CLAIR AVENUE: RESIDUAL SPACES
0
0.5
1
2km
property for lease or for sale vacant property area currently under redevelopment
RESIDUAL SPACES: AREA OF EXPLORATION
0
0.5
1
2km
RESIDUAL SPACE CATALOGUE
SPACES OF EXPLORATION
IN-BETWEEN
LOT
CORNER
6 months
1-3 years
6+ years
SITES OF EXPLORATION
Business closes. Property is vacated.
Property is for sale
Purchased by a developer. Plans are in the works for the site’s redevelopment.
PROVISIONAL PERIOD
The neighbourhood and greater community can reappropriate their city’s spaces
Space is turned over back to the developer who is ready to proceed with the plans.
6 months - 6 years (awaiting city + developer’s approval) Property Rezoned from Commercial use to Recreational property tax cut 2/3
With the cost savings, the developer can keep their costs down, generating a lower cost per unit for the future buyer.
This strategy becomes successful and is deployed across the city.
835 ST. CLAIR AVE W: 2011
835 ST. CLAIR AVE W: 2021
EXISTING NEIGHBOURHOOD CONDITION St. Clair community appropriating spaces
corner
St. Clair Avenue
in-between
AREA OF EXPLORATION
lot
IN-BETWEEN
LOT
CORNER
IN BETWEEN
6 months
SITE LOGIC
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
in-between
St. Clair Ave
laneway
GROUND PLAN
GROUND PLAN in-between
SECTION PERSPECTIVE in-between
add vines growing inside
SUNDAY AFTERNOON in-between
BLOCK PARTY in-between
CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY in-between
LOT
1-3 years
CITY VS. WILD
lot
O CO
PROTECTION
lot
O CO
MICROCLIMATE
lot
CO
INTERACTION
lot
PLAN
lot St. Clair Ave
PLAN
lot St. Clair Ave
DETAILED SECTION lot
SUMMER lot
FALL lot
WINTER lot
CORNER
6+ years
volume inserted
dynamic storage device
open: horizontal connection
SITE LOGIC
corner
closed: vertical space
DN
St. Clair Ave
UP
GROUND PLAN corner
DETAILED SECTION corner
OPEN CONDITION corner
UP
DN
St. Clair Ave
DN
UPPER LEVEL PLAN corner
UPPER LEVEL STUDIO corner
EVENING PERFORMANCE corner