Neighbourhood Maverick at Toronto Harbourfront Centre

Toronto neighbourhoods are defined in part by the architectural style of their housing stock. For example Cabbagetown and Yorkville are known for their Victorian architecture, Allenby and Leaside feature a lot of Tudor-style houses while Forest Hill and Lytton Park have many Georgian-style homes.
So what happens when a neighbourhood maverick comes along in an established older neighbourhood and decides to build a modern contemporary house that is unique and different. The answer to the above question can be found at the Harbourfront Centre Architecture Gallery which is hosting the Neighbourhood Maverick show until June 12, 2011.
Neighbourhood Maverick asks the questions: Why should the existing streetscape be maintained ? What considerations do architects consider when designing a home in an established neighbourhood ? and what effect does the intervention of maverick architecture have on the neighbourhood ?
In recent years Toronto has become an international city. An infusion of many people from different cultures with a myriad of tastes has resulted in some architects taking a bolder more international approach to designing homes in established neighbourhoods. The result is the emergence of contemporary style architecture in many of Toronto’s older neighbourhoods.
Building homes that are eclectic and cutting edge is not an entirely new phenomenon in this city. Pockets of houses in the Bridal Path, Thorncrest Village, York Mills and Don Mills neighbourhoods were considered maverick when they were first built in the 1950s and 60s.
The first true architecture maverick and the inspiration for many of today’s cutting edge architects was the legendary and iconic Frank Lloyd Wright whose influence can be seen in cities throughout North America. Wright’s Prairie-style architecture bridged the gap between the traditional architectural styles common in North America and the contemporary school of architecture.
Wright believed in thinking outside the box when designing houses but he also believed a house should fit in with its surroundings. Wright referred to his work as organic architecture. For Wright balance was the key. Today’s neighbourhood mavericks will hopefully take their cue from Wright.
Proper respect should be paid to the existing neighbourhood streetscapes. A contemporary infill house on a suitable lot, with the right scale, design and materials can compliment the existing streetscape and need not bastardize the street or be a flash point for disgruntled neighbours.
The Neighbourhood Maverick show at the Harbourfront Centre Architecture Gallery is thought provoking. This show helps us to understand what the possible benefits and negatives may be to neighbourhoods that are facing the challenges of those seeking to satisfy their creative expression.