Jump to content

Partisans (architectural firm)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Scope creep (talk | contribs) at 08:59, 7 June 2020 (→Style and method: Wikipedia is not a manual nor a means of promotion.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

PARTISANS
Formation2012
FounderAlex Josephson, Pooya Baktash
Founded atToronto, Ontario, Canada
TypePrivately Held
ServicesArchitecture & planning
Key people
Alex Josephson, Pooya Baktash, Jonathan Friedman
Staff11-50
Websitehttp://www.partisans.com/

PARTISANS is a Toronto-based architecture firm recognized for its future-forward approach to design and technology, civic advocacy and cultural engagement.[1] The firm was founded in 2012 by partners Alex Josephson and Pooya Baktash.[2] Jonathan Friedman, a licensed architect with a decade of experience in Toronto, joined the firm as a partner in 2014. The name PARTISANS represent the firm's interest in collective action and architecture as a political force for social and cultural good. [3][4]

Contribution to Canadian Architecture

PARTISANS has contributed significantly to architecture in Canada through its unique style and approach which regards architecture as a collective, political act.[5] “Canada has a limited roster of world-class architects, who mostly work for rarified clients. It also has a small community of boutique studios that do creative one-off pieces, usually private residences. But Partisans… is different—a critical firm, specializing not only in design but also in rhetoric and activism. In six years, the firm has worked up a varied portfolio: houses, furniture, industrial pieces, restaurant interiors, sculptural lighting, books, and public interventions that border on performance art."[6]

In 2020 the firm was recognized with the Emerging Architectural Practice Award by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. According to the 2020 jury, “The firm’s projects are original, powerful and evocative. The team is capable of thinking at all scales from interiors to city planning; the works speak to a vision for the future that is free-minded and innovative. As outspoken advocates for the quality of architecture as a social vehicle, their success is evidenced by the beloved spaces they have crafted.”[5]In Canada, where the architecture profession is increasingly corporate and conservative, PARTISANS embodies a "bold and expansive vision of architecture as an art form and a profession engaged with the biggest cultural questions."[7]

History

In 2008, the founders of PARTISANS, Josephson and Baktash, were finishing their master's of architecture degree at the University of Waterloo.[8] They became close as they consulted on each other's thesis projects, and decided to go into business together.[8] Alex Josephson had previously worked as a sculptor and worked for the architect Massimiliano Fuksas in Rome before returning to Canada.[9] Both founders had previously worked at larger firms, where they were unable to be creative, and soon decided to set up their shop together.[8] Starting with small commissions from family, the pair soon started building their firm up, winning a commission from Osmington to become the lead architect of the redevelopment and expansion of Toronto’s historic Union Station’s commercial real estate “to leverage Union’s identity as a major transit hub and transform it into ‘a fluid stage for Toronto’s most ambitious culinary, cultural, design, and retail offerings."[10] Jonathan Friedman, a licensed architect with a decade of experience in Toronto, joined the firm in 2014 and is now the third partner. [9]

Select Projects

Grotto Sauna

Located at the eastern flank of Lake Huron, a small 75 sq m sauna is constructed to complement a prefab mid-century cabin on a private island.[11] On the exterior, the sauna has a sleek angular burnt-cedar envelope which was designed to be complementary to the silhouette of the main house.[11] On the interior, the client chose a conceptual design which lead to a partnership with a Toronto-based mill-work company called MCM as well as the use of advanced 3D technology for modeling and building the interior space.[11] A special rot-resistant local cedar is sculpted into about 100 panels similar to jigsaw pieces, which is then mounted with insulation behind and gaps between them to allow for the material to expand and contract evenly.[11][8] Organic-shaped double and triple-glazed window frame the unobstructed view to the Northern Ontario horizon.[11]

Bar Raval

Bar Raval, located in the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy, was commissioned by Toronto restaurateur’s Grant van Gameren, Mike Webster, and Robin Goodfellow.[8] The project “transformed a nondescript brick building into a multi-sensory environment combining adventurous dining and design concepts”.[12] Inspired by the famed “pinxto” bars of Spain (neighborhood snack bars common in Barcelona),[13] the bar is a 21st-century reinterpretation of Spanish Art Nouveau.[8][14] The project is recognizable for it’s sinuous, sculptural mahogany interiors inspired by the formal properties of Art Nouveau, the work of famed architect Antoni Gaudi, and the muscular, tattooed anatomy of the restaurateurs themselves.[13] In 2015 the project was awarded a Research + Design Award from Architect Magazine for its technical approach which used digital computation technologies to create an immersive design environment. The rigorous process used 3D scans of foam and clay models and CNC mills to create the more than 60 wood panels that wrap around the restaurant’s 1,500-square-foot bar, walls, and ceiling.[14] The project has also been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, and the Ontario WoodWorks! Award program.

Union Station

PARTISANS were the lead designers for the renovation and interior fitout of over 200,000 sf of commercial and public space in Toronto's Union Station, including the 25,000 sf Food Court. [15] In 2013, PARTISANS was hired by Osmington to turn the most trafficked transportation hub in the country into a destination of its own, while also troubleshooting the challenges associated with redesigning a heritage building to accommodate diverse retail and programmatic elements.[16] A key feature of the new food hall is the 210 cloud-like structures, fabricated by Lightemotion and tested by engineering firm RWDI, which float above the seating area, recalling the disc-shaped lighting of Marcel Breuer’s design for the former Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.[17] Made from glass fibre reinforced gypsum, these sculptural units referred to as PODS (Pressurized Ocular Diffuser System) were “conceived as an economical and artful means of integrating building systems—HVAC, lighting, and sprinklers—to regain ceiling height, optimize maintenance, and create a memorable aesthetic experience for the millions of patrons streaming through Union Station each year.”[18][10] The multi-year, multi-phase development project at Union Station is considered a turning point for the studio.[19]

Hearn Generating Station

PARTISANS transformed a decommissioned power plant in Toronto - the Hearn Generating Station -  into a monumental temporary performing arts centre, “a generator of arts and culture” for the 2016 Luminato Festival.[20][21] The design team worked closely with theatre and acoustics specialists Charcoalblue to equip the space for a variety of installations and performance spaces, including a main stage, side stages, and a 1,200-seat theatre.[22] The design scheme both enhanced the industrial and raw quality of the original Hearn and celebrated its heritage through various architectural interventions.[20] During the construction phase, PARTISANS installed a temporary elevator to reach the upper mezzanine, communicated with crews through electronic road signs, and repurposed shipping containers for a variety of uses, including delineating performance areas for the festival.[21] The resulting 40,000 s.f. venue played host to a variety of programs including visual art, music, and theatre[22] while “bringing a powerful architectural experience into the festival’s mix.”[21]

Innisfil Orbit

The Innisfil “Orbit” is a master-planned community designed by PARTISANS for developer Cortel Group and the town of Innisfil. The proposed design seeks to transform Innisfil, which is located 60 kilometres north of Toronto, into a smart “city of the future” for up to 150,000 residents.[23] Innisfil's Council approved the plan in November, 2019 with the Mayor declaring, "We're going into orbit!" after the unanimous vote.[24] At the centre of the design is a new Metrolinx Go Station which is slated for completion in 2022.[25] Inspired by the idea of an orbit, the city will radiate outwards from the new transit hub in a circular pattern and encompass mix-used developments, pedestrian and bike-friendly roads, and green space. The walkable and bikeable layout stands in contrast to sprawling suburban developments, borrowing from Ebenezer Howard’s 1890 model of a self-contained community encircled by a greenbelt called a “Garden City”.[26][27] Touted as a “complete” community, the Orbit also calls for a new school, farmer’s market, library, recreational centers, and art institutions to complement residential and commercial spaces.[28] The scheme also incorporates cutting-edge technology such as a fibre optic network capable of sharing information that will provide connectivity across sidewalks, streets, and buildings, as well as drone ports and self-driving cars.[29] High and mid-rise tiered buildings will help preserve existing farmland in the area while allowing for density.[30] By introducing dynamic zoning, the proposal allows the city to automatically increase its standards for building heights and density once certain criteria are met, allowing for incremental densification.[31]

Furniture

In 2017, Partisans launched a custom line of architectural lighting at the Interior Design Show 2017.[32] The Gweilo Light is hand-sculpted using thermoforming, and is able to harness and manipulate the dynamic movement of light.[32] The design team hand-sculpted their lights all weekend at the IDS, and members of the public were also able to participate in the custom forming of their own lights.[32] At IDS in 2019, the firm released MoonLight, a 3D-printed circular pendant light with voids that look like moon craters.[33]

Publications

Graphic Novel

In 2014, Partisans published a graphic novel called "Suburbabylonia", a part manifesto, part satire novel. [34] The book has the appearance of dreamy images and truth-seeking spaceman hero, but beneath the surface, the authors aim to mock an off-kilter version of a Toronto-like metropolis, destroyed by unchecked building boom and ineptitude of municipal politicians.[34]

Book

In 2016, Hans Ibelings along with Partisans co-wrote a book called "Rise and Sprawl: The Condominiumization of Toronto".[2] Together they tackle the criticism of Toronto's current skyline, and how the rapid growth of downtown as well as the condominium development has changed Toronto.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Toronto's Next Generation: Partisans". Azure Magazine. 2015-06-11. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  2. ^ a b c "Partisans". www.partisans.com. Retrieved 2020-03-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Designers You Should Know: PARTISANS". Contract Design. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  4. ^ "Architecture Firm Partisans Asks, "WTF?"". Designlines Magazine. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  5. ^ a b "Emerging Architectural Practice Award - 2020 Recipient". raic.org. Retrieved 2020-05-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Lewsen, Simon (2018-07-19). "Who Says Canadian Architecture Is Boring?". The Walrus. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  7. ^ "A trailblazer and a troublemaker honoured with Canadian architecture awards". Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Lewsen, Simon (2018-07-19). "Who Says Canadian Architecture Is Boring?". The Walrus. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  9. ^ a b "Bar Raval: A chef's ambitious new venture, built to last". Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  10. ^ a b "Toronto's new Union Station food court opens today". Canadian Architect. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2020-05-05.
  11. ^ a b c d e Magazine, Wallpaper* (2014-11-24). "Partisans' lakeside Grotto takes the edge off traditional sauna design". Wallpaper*. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  12. ^ "The World's Best Bar: Bar Raval, Toronto, Ontario". Canadian Architect. 2015-09-01. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  13. ^ a b "bar raval by partisans features carved mahogany interiors". designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
  14. ^ a b "Award: Bar Raval". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Toronto Approves Partisans Design for Union Station". Contract Design. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  16. ^ "Toronto's new Union Station food court opens today". Canadian Architect. 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  17. ^ "Toronto's Union Station Receives Facelift, Debuts Food Hall". Hospitality Design. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  18. ^ "Lighting the way to Union Food Court". World Architecture News.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ "Partisans Architecture on a Winning Streak". Designlines Magazine. 2015-11-02. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  20. ^ a b "partisans transforms toronto's hearn generating station into a monumental cultural venue". designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2016-06-15. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  21. ^ a b c "Toronto's Luminato Festival goes big with plans for Hearn Generating Station". Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  22. ^ a b "Luminato and Partisans Electrify the Hearn". Designlines Magazine. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  23. ^ "PARTISANS Envisions a Next Generation Community in Innisfil". Canadian Architect. 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  24. ^ "The City of the Future Could Propel the Town of Innisfil into Orbit | UrbanToronto". urbantoronto.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  25. ^ "Small town near Toronto plans to transform into a city of the future". www.blogto.com. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  26. ^ "The suburb of the future: Innisfil's radical plan for a town built around transit, cycling and walking". Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  27. ^ "Can Innisfil, a town without its own bus service, build a transit-centred city of the future?". thestar.com. 2019-12-08. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  28. ^ "Canada gives utopia a chance with The Orbit". Archpaper.com. 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  29. ^ "Partisans to turn Canadian town into "city of the future" The Orbit". Dezeen. 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  30. ^ "partisans' 'orbit' masterplan for future city takes cues from burning man". designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  31. ^ "The City of the Future Could Propel the Town of Innisfil into Orbit | UrbanToronto". urbantoronto.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  32. ^ a b c "No hands Presents: PARTISANS Factory". Canadian Architect. 2017-02-28. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  33. ^ Fletcher, Helen. "3D-printed MoonLight launch | darc magazine". Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  34. ^ a b "Suburbabylonia - Partisans Pens Graphic Novel About Toronto". Designlines Magazine. 2014-10-14. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Partisans_(architectural_firm)&oldid=961227139"