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Kirkwood Apartments

Ottawa, Canada

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located in Ottawa, Canada
design proposal from 2015

The development consists of a three-storey apartment building on Kirkwood Avenue.
The building mass, which spans the site from east to west, is composed of two volumes whose vertical faces are staggered to create shadow lines and terraces. This interplay of vertical planes is accentuated by the use of contrasting materials: the lower volume is clad in dark masonry, visually anchoring the building to the ground, while the upper volume is finished in light-colored metal siding. The arrangement of windows reflects the volumetric shifts.
The underground parking ramp is located outside the building to reduce the massing at the first floor and open the view toward the rear of the lot. Aside from the ramp, the surrounding outdoor space is dedicated to recreational use and pedestrian/bicycle circulation, with soft landscaping dominating. In the front yard, the projection of the upper volume creates a sheltered, welcoming environment for the main entrance, complemented by the open landscaping. The brick veneer at street level establishes a positive relationship with neighboring residential properties.
At the rear and south sides, the building steps back at the second level to create private terraces. These outdoor extensions increase vertical amenity space and improve sunlight penetration into adjacent yards.
Inside, each of the three residential floors features a central corridor serving apartments of varying sizes, from studios to spacious two-bedroom units. All apartments enjoy ample natural light through large windows.