Seamless Collaboration
PECK Architecture and SvN have become collaborators in the design of significant architectural projects in the Greater Los Angeles area and in Toronto, Canada.
The two mid-sized practices have been able to create an exchange which is both technical and design oriented, allowing each practice to excel in both of these areas, and to learn from the other. We have been able to leverage this combined expertise to develop well conceived design solutions, with excellent documentation.
A brief description of the two firms' roles on projects is outlined below. Each project, has been realized through careful processes, with respect to design, production, and technical coordination.
the Draft Building
PECK ARCHITECTURE was brought on as the design lead and collaborated extensively and successfully with SvN who serves as the Executive Architect, utilizing their expertise within the Toronto regulatory environment and marketplace.
Sterling Block 3A is a mixed-use building development within the new mixed-use community in the emerging Lower Junction Triangle neighborhood in Toronto, Canada.
The development is being undertaken by Castlepoint Numa in a program designed to reshape a formerly underutilized industrial area and expand the cultural community in the west end of Toronto.
The new building includes ground floor retail, a two story brewery, offices, exterior gardens, and both indoor and outdoor dining facilities. The new building sits adjacent to the iconic Tower Automotive Building which is home to the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA).
Mockingbird – 20,600 sf new hillside home in the “Bird Streets” of Los Angeles
PECK CIVIL and PECK ARCHITECTURE performed initial feasibility studies to identify the potential configuration of the complex hillside house, and worked with SAOTA to define the building envelope and floor levels that would satisfy the Los Angeles Code Requirements.
SAOTA developed the design, based on feedback from the PECK team, taking into account indoor/outdoor relationships, dramatic views, functionality, flow, and aesthetics. PECK ARCHITECTURE and PECK CIVIL are central to the project, as we have held primary responsibility with respect to design documentation, design detailing, and permitting.
SvN has brought their project documentation capabilities to bear on these projects while PECK has maintained the role of Architect of Record and Civil Engineer of Record.
Design Excellence
The lead designers of the collaboration are Drew Sinclair and Chris Peck.
Drew SinclaiR
Drew is a recipient of the Canada Council’s Prix de Rome for Emerging Practitioners and the Reisman Gold Medal in Design. During Drew's career he has worked with Arthur Erickson, Todd Williams and Billie Tsien in New York, and KPMB Architects. In 2007, Drew co-founded Twenty + Change, the biennial exhibition dedicated to emerging Canadian architectural and urban design practice. Drew has been recognized for design innovation at both small and large scales. He led SvN’s Athletes’ Village Master Plan for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games in Toronto, and is currently leading 7-15 Fraser Avenue, a purpose-built commercial complex in Liberty Village, Toronto. The project balances economic development, heritage, environmental, and transportation planning objectives in an area of significant cultural heritage, demonstrating Drew’s understanding of design and approvals considerations for complex urban sites. He advises on a range of projects at SvN, including transit corridors and mobility hubs, cultural facilities, highest and best use studies, and housing in all its forms – how it is designed, built, consumed and owned.
Chris Peck
Chris studied with Pritzger Prize winning architect, Thom Mayne of Morphosis as well as other leading architects in Los Angeles, Mark Mack, and Barton Myers. Chris' projects have been published in LA Times Magazine, Architectural Digest and C Magazine. Chris is founder of Formlab, a collaborative design forum, as well as the non-profit Urban Ecology Project.
Knowledge OF Regulatory Framework
Toronto
SvN is intimately familiar with Toronto’s Regulatory Framework including policies, guidelines and regulations. The firm references and advises the City of Toronto on aspects of Toronto’s Policies and Guidelines including the Tall Buildings Guidelines, the Municipal Official Plan, Provincial Policy Statements, the Green Roof Bylaw and the Toronto Green Standard. SvN works daily with clients on regulations including the zoning bylaw and the Ontario Building Code.
Los Angeles
Having over 15 years of experience in the City of Los Angeles and surrounding jurisdictions, PECK has successfully led many complex permitting efforts with a track record of success. From complex hillside developments to tenant improvements, our focused and results oriented team works well as prime consultants and with others in the code consulting and permit expediting industry. Chris has served as chair of the design commissioner for the City of Pasadena, was a member of the La Loma Bridge Design Advisory Group, and is currently appointed by City Council to the Civic Center Task Force to provide recommendations regarding land-use standards within the Central District.
Planning Expertise
Planning Approvals:
SvN provides comprehensive support for approvals under the Planning Act that includes: the creation of clear, high quality documentation for amendments to official plans, zoning bylaws and building codes; producing planning applications and planning rationale reports; and representing clients at Ontario Municipal Board hearings.
Development Management:
SvN provides feasibility planning, development advisory and approvals risk management for public and private clients. The firm identifies risks in early design development and conceptual site layout stages. SvN helps to shape and form the thinking on site layout and building design in a way that reduces and minimizes the amount of approvals required. The firm gives clients a comprehensive view of planning approval milestones within the project's life cycle, so they can anticipate the timing and resources required to support various approvals within the overall construction schedule.
Site Analysis:
SvN undertakes site analysis studies, from site scale up to secondary plan scales. The firm work with developers and public agencies such as Build Toronto and Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation to complete due diligence and Highest and Best Use Studies for their lands.
Policy:
SvN applies a thorough understanding of the provincial and municipal regulatory context to develop studies and public policy instruments for local, provincial and federal governments and First Nations. These include: zoning by-laws, official plans, municipal development plans, local official plans, secondary plans, neighborhood plans, and urban design guidelines.
Technical Documentation in REVIT
SvN uses Autodesk’s Revit on the majority of projects to manage project information and the design process inside of a live model that is shared among team members. The software allows for multiple team members to work interdependently on one shared model, rather than exchanging updated drawings on a periodic basis. Building Information Modeling (BIM) on large and complex projects, helps stay ahead of coordination issues as they arise. A live, collaborative BIM model draws attention to such disparities as they happen, and can direct teams towards real-time problem solving thereby avoiding conflicts and interference issues before they occur. This is far superior to a traditional drawing-based approach, where disparate design teams develop design solutions independent of each other.
Because BIM is a digital, three-dimensional model linked to a database of project information, it can combine, the design, fabrication information, erection instructions, and project management logistics in one database. It provides a platform for collaboration throughout the project’s design and construction. Additionally, because the model and database can exist for the life of a building, clients can use BIM to manage the building well beyond completion of construction for the purposes of space planning, furnishing, monitoring long term energy performance, maintenance and remodeling.
Technical Competency
The PECK team is committed to excellence in the three related disciplines of architecture, civil engineering and structural engineering. We believe in developing solutions that are innovative, integrated, sustainable and represent the highest level of design. PECK is known for taking on the challenges. Our interdisciplinary approach allows us to analyze projects with respect to our areas of expertise and devise fully integrated and strategic solutions.
SvN is a team of architects, planners, community developers and urban designers immersed in the practical art and science of building resilient communities. Over the past four decades, SvN has been responsible for the planning, design and construction management of urban and rural development projects across Canada, and around the world. SvN has revitalized industrial waterfronts, developed many new forms of affordable housing, designed resilient neighbourhoods, and promoted the economic development of both rural and urban regions.