A new downtown Winnipeg housing development offers a sure departure from the norm; 62M, a newly built boutique apartment building designed by local architects 5468796 looks more like a flying saucer, slowly rising from the ground, than conventional residential schemes. Sitting next to the city's Red River and visible over the lower roof lines around it, it certainly cuts a distinctive figure in its residential neighbourhood.
The architects took on the challenge to transform a seemingly ‘undesirable' site (due to its industrial nature and restricted views) into a modern and functional piece of architecture. In order to achieve this, the team raised the main living spaces, lifting them high above ground using 20 slender concrete columns. A sturdy concrete core connects the main volume to the ground level and anchors the whole.
The structure maintains a subtle industrial aesthetic, but is carefully designed to respond to its site and makes the most of its newly found views, through large openings in each of its some-40 studio units (sizes run up to 57 sq m). A central hole cuts through the circular raised volume and open-air - yet covered - corridors run along it internally, leading to each unit's front door.
Inside, the architects turned the unusual pie-slice-shaped apartments into minimalist boutique domestic interiors. Utilities are placed on the narrow end, closer to the core, while living spaces make the most of the wider side and the generous openings of 6m floor-to-ceiling glass.
Prefabricated construction elements, simple or raw material finishes and a restrained material palette of cast-in-place concrete, weathering steel and glass make for an honest and cost-effective design. However, a sense of luxury is also present, both in the overall spacious feel and clean design, but also touches such as the micro-penthouse guesthouse that sits at the very top of the central core.
The architects explain: ‘A glass box jewel, the penthouse glows like a lantern above the “flying saucer.” Inside, mirror polished columns support the pre-fabricated roof structure, refracting light and surrounding landscape into the living space and giving the illusion of 360º of uninterrupted views of the city and the prairie horizon beyond.'
Photography: 5468796
Photography: 5468796
INFORMATION
-
Aesop’s Salone del Mobile 2024 installations in Milan are multisensory experiencesAesop has partnered with Salone del Mobile to launch a series of installations across Milan, tapping into sight, touch, taste, and scent
-
Dial into the Boring Phone and more smartphone alternativesFrom the deliberately dull new Boring Phone to Honor’s latest hook-up with Porsche, a host of new devices that do the phone thing slightly differently
-
Berlinde De Bruyckere’s angels without faces touch down in Venice churchBelgian artist Berlinde De Bruyckere’s recent archangel sculptures occupy the 16th-century white marble Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore for the Venice Biennale 2024
-
Downs House II inspires West Coast Modern campaign in VancouverDowns House II, currently on the market in Vancouver, inspires a West Coast Modern campaign to save the modernist landmark
-
Toronto’s Rolex boutique wows with dynamic façadeThis Rolex boutique in Toronto features a dynamic, wavy façade in CNC-cut limestone created by local architecture studio Partisans
-
Promenade Samuel-de Champlain is a riverside boulevard championing urban greenPromenade Samuel-de Champlain in Quebec gives the city’s river back to its community, transforming a previously neglected urban space
-
Chez Léon is a contemporary Canadian retreat in the Quebec countrysideThis Canadian retreat, an elegant update of the classic cabin in the woods, is part ski lodge, part tree house, combining traditional materials and stunning views with a light footprint
-
House in High Park is a Toronto home to be discovered slowlyHouse in High Park by Ian MacDonald Architect is a new-build home in Toronto that takes a problematic plot and transforms it into an exhilarating, contemporary residence
-
This Québec school evokes a calming atmosphere in tune with natureThis redesigned Québec school inspires a new paradigm in its architecture genre by creating a welcoming, home-like and nature-inspired environment
-
Canvas House’s wavy brick façade stands out in its suburban Toronto contextCanvas House by Partisans brings a wavy brick façade to its sleepy Toronto suburban neighbourhood
-
Discover Dyde House, a lesser known Arthur Erickson gemDyde House by modernist architect Arthur Erickson is celebrated in a new film, premiered in Canada
