Brick Works is Forever Green



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Kiln Brick

 

The forecast had called for rain all weekend. After postponing plans on Saturday for the impending downpour, which never arrived Sunday was not to be neglected. A brunch, 20-minute stroll and a free bus ride later brought us to the grand opening of Evergreen Brick Works. Over 30 years in the making this heritage site has officially opened it’s doors. Showcasing a variety of venues, outdoor activities and community events, this off the trail city destination is giving life to the lower Don Lands.

For almost a century the original infrastructure fired out over 43 million bricks in its lifetime – Casa Loma, old City hall and thousands of homes. Retired in 1989, the city and the province both agreed that this historic location needed to be revitalized and enjoyed by the public. The quarry in particular was recognized by as an Area of Natural and Scientific interest. The 90’s raised $6 million to regenerate this acreage to a more natural state, opening to the public in 1996. Hiking trails snake throughout the site offering lots of picturesque views of the Don Lands ablaze in Fall’s colourage.

Strolling the grounds, the collective of friends, families and community ooze from each corner you turn. Drums beats echoed through the open-air pavilion shared by the Evergreen Gardens. Corn roasts away as volunteers tantalize visitor’s taste buds. This tree-hugging mecca offers bike rentals, workshops, a Saturday morning farmer’s market and Sunday morning yoga classes. Outward Bound Canada has created a climbing tower and active challenge space, art exhibits are showcased in the Kilns and historic brick-works artefacts are preserved throughout the venues.

Diamond + Schmitt - Centre for Green Cities

With all this being said, the big reason I wanted to check out this green gem was the rumour of a LEED Platinum building. Currently only 14 projects have achieve this level in Canada, scoring points in all 5 categories of sustainable performance:

§        Sustainable site development

§        Water efficiency

§        Energy efficiency

§        Material selection

§        Indoor environmental quality

D+S Ariel view of the Site

While still unofficial, this forecasted achievement will be shared in Toronto by only one other building, the Knoll Showroom. However in Canada, this project named the Centre for Green Cities will be the only Platinum LEED heritage site. In researching this building’s development, I was and was not surprised to learn that is was designed by Diamond + Schmitt. You may recognize their work with such buildings as the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Corus Quay Building, Toronto Central YMCA and the up and coming One Cole – Regent Park Revitalization (which is another blog in it’s self, promise).

The Kilns

Centre for Green Cities highlights include a 65% reduction in overall fossil-fuel energy. Operable windows, solar chimneys, energy harvesting, solar thermal hot water heating and solar photovoltaic electricity generation to help subsidize. Water conservation will include collecting water, reducing stormwater runoff and improving the quality of stormwater effluent. A minimum of 20% materials will be sourced locally including manufacturing; a 100% of the wood used is sustainably harvested. A zero-waste to landfill plan entails on-site composting, diversion of recyclables from dumps and closed-loop supply chains. Plus a soon to be green roof is in the (brick)works, can a get a woo-hoo here?? WOO-HOO!

            I had attempted to summarize what this place was all about in an effort to entice a less than convinced boyfriend to join my excursion. At a slight loss of words I opted for “It’ll be a surprise” and “one you’ll like, I promise”. A little uncertain as we both worked on navigating our route of travel to the area, it turned out to be a perfect Sunday afternoon in the city…or should I say nature?! Still feels a bit odd when you can see the beads of cars roaring along the DVP from the parking lot. However we both walked away content…luckily grand opening came accompanied by yummy oatmeal pumpkin cookies, a platter of charcuterie, wine and spirits au gratis.

            Evergreen Brick Works is a fresh addition to Toronto’s repertoire of cool places to check-out. I can’t pinpoint one category of activity as it literally has encompassed a handful, park, museum, café, art gallery. The Centre for Green Cities was not quite completed on our visit but I look forward to heading back for it’s own grand opening. Whether you’re looking to kill an afternoon or find a place for the kids to run around for a while, this is a top notch destination. I’m super excited for the ice-rink instore come winter time….althought not so much for winter.

Arts Pavillion

Hopefully, I’ll see you there next Saturday for some local grub and a stroll through the panorama quarry.

Lobby of the Centre for Green Cities

Outdoor Garden Space, Ice rink planned for the winter

IIDEX September 23 - 26, 2010

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." -Steve Jobs

BRC - Office System...with Sustainable Elements

Another school year has started meaning another summer has come to an end. I say this like I've been in school consistently since kindergarten but somehow it feels as though I had never left. As I fall back into routine, and Fall starts to unveil cool temperatures and shorter days so comes another IIDEX show.



Gorgeous Lighting from Egypt, this is on
my Christmas list for sure!



This is my third year attending. The first year I had only just applied to school and I remember walking through the aisles hopeful of my entry into this amazing world. Last year it was mandatory and I stood in line with all the other first years patiently waiting for my badge. This year, I feel like I’ve graduated and can confidently stroll the grounds with swagger.

Amazing Leather hides from
Netherland's EBRU

IIDEX is the industry’s yearly convention and mainly focuses on office and commercial design trades. This year IIDEX also included a Green Building Festival and Light Canada showcase. It is a little more laid back I find in comparison to IDS as all the exhibitors ultimately are salesmen. They are always focused on the ABC (Always Be Closing) and thus even as a student they see the opportunity to share their pitch on the benefit of a $60 LED bulb.

Teknion's Vignette - I'm this chic in theory

Overall it was a relaxed couple hours cruising the lane ways, chatting up on new products and winding down with some free hooch. Teknion’s new Vignette seating and table collection provided the perfect perch after several hours on one’s feet.





Decotone Surfaces - This backlit
wave was stunning in person



Richelieu's Bling Bling Hardware



Bomb tiles...sadly couldn't narrow
down a distributor in Canada...cruel tease



Humanscale's amazing Liberty Task Chair -
it honestly feels like you're sitting in a hammock!



Allsteel's Stride Office System - the scary part is that they say it can fit four people per desk...might be more aptly named Sardine



















Green Oasis over in the Green Buidling Festival



EBRU's amazing carpet selection



I've always wanted a purple fridge!

It's true. The purple obsession is nothing new in my world, ask anyone who knows me. Purple jeans, purple drink, purple backpack and I've even stayed at the Purple House in Panama. Purple is to me what blue pinstripes is to the male suburban clubber....essential in life.



After spending a rather long night hung over foam board, white glue and an exacto knife, I unwound on my 6:55am train with some quality design reading. To my delight Contract’s weekly newsletter showcased an appliance company offering customized colours. SAY WHAT?? I can now get a fridge in any pantone colour? It’s a rainbow brite dream come true.

I did a quick Google search to see if there were any purple fridges currently available. Purple Punch showcased a Black and Decker bar fridge in a saturated royal purple. I also found this customized purple monster on fellow blogger Eat Yr Fridge, chomp chomp. But other than that the findings were slim.


In terms of a quality residential/commercial standard unit Summit seems to have peaked the market. Offering a wide line of appliances customers now have to option to customize the finished colour. The possibilities are endless, mix and match, camouflage to its surroundings, the only limit is your imagination.

I desperately tried to seek some decent images, showcasing this custom colourization but I failed...It seems an orange freezer is territory not yet explored. Sadder still the website only provides a colour chart to peruse instead of a virtual application. Your imagination will have to work in over drive on this one until I get a chance to make concept reality. I’m envisioning a gorgeous granny smith apple green (RAL 6018) wine chiller and a sunny yellow (RAL 1018) beer froster pairing. However being this a rainy Thursday morning, if my fridge was a Summit mood ring, I’d be RAL 7000.

A Stop By the Blue Banana

For those of you who’ve been following, you may have noticed the past couple of posts haven’t made it out on a Sunday as promised. I’m fairly well organized but Summer tends to have the ability to put a wrench in good intentions. It’s the last long weekend of said Summer and with Hurricane Earl sending some down right chilly conditions, the beau and I opted to stay in town. Instead of soaking up some last rays of sun I get to spend it with you and  a lazy Sunday roam of a vibrant retail local in Toronto.

In typical Sunday form, the boyfriend and I headed out around noon for some brunch. Planning on a feast at Aunties and Uncles, we made a change plans when the relatives turned out to be out of town. Opting to back track to Caplansky’s, we made some tentative post-meat plans while awaiting our smoked meat hash. While I strongly pushed for a trip to the ROM, the peaking sun deterred me to wander outside versus in.

Kensington Market is a neighbourhood in Toronto where you can make a quick errand or just as easily spend a few hours. It comprises a couple principle intersections including Augusta and Kensington running north-south and Oxford, Nassau and Baldwin running east-west. I’ll work on a proper Kensington blog but for today I’m providing all you knick-knack loving, hand crafted crafters and kitschy kitcheners a snap-shot feast from the Blue Banana.

Blue Banana operates a market mecca in which merchants can rent space to hock their wares. Ranging from toys, clothes, jewellery, art and food stuffs this 2 storey building is a modern day treasure trove. It’s the one place where you truly could find something for that special person that doesn’t need anything…shout out to all those Dads out there! I recommend the beer-butt chicken spices or a selection of choice hot sauces as a good place to start.

There’s a little something for everyone, which I can vouch for as my boyfriend easily occupies his time while waiting on me to make a round. A possible nibble on some homemade marshmallows, MC ice cube trays and hugging salt and pepper shakers to name a few of today’s highlights.

With some many trinkets I highly recommend a pit-stop as birthdays, holidays and no-reason-at-all-days rise to occasion. Today I came across a few goodies I wanted to share with you, happy perusing J

Reuse Chic

I just saw these on the Grassroots blog

Personalized time

Cardboardermy

Super cute owl pillows

Pop Icon Babushkhas

Signature Underwears

Big fan of repurposed vinyl

The King of Pop

Girly Fridge Decor

A little spice for later

Pretty Pottery

A Snack on the way out!