Architects From 70 Nations Focus on Toronto as Absolute Picks Tower Design Finalists

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

TORONTO, Jan. 24 /CNW/ - Fernbrook Homes and Cityzen Development Group will announce the six finalists for the design of the landmark tower at its Absolute Community in Mississauga, at 12 noon, Monday, January 30 in the east end of the Atrium at BCE Place in downtown Toronto.

The competition is the first open international design competition in the GTA since proposals were requested for Toronto's City Hall 40 years ago and is the first time in GTA history that a private development group has staged such a competition.

The event has drawn more than 600 registrants and 92 submissions from architects in 70 countries and all continents except Antarctica.

Designs are for a new residential condominium tower of at least 50 stories planned for the northeast corner of Hurontario Street and Burnhamthorpe Road in the heart of Mississauga. The new tower will serve as an anchor for the Absolute Community now underway on the 11-acre site.

Six finalists were chosen to advance to phase two of the competition, which involves preparing detailed concepts, drawings and plans. Seven honorary mentions will also be announced. Submissions of the finalists and honorary mentions will be on display.

"This is a major event in the world of international architecture," says Antonio Gomez-Palacio, partner in Office for Urbanism Inc., the planning and urban design group retained to organize the competition. "Winning this event brings with it enormous cachet internationally. It is also unusual in that a private group is sponsoring it. Such events are extremely rare."

When: Monday, January 30th at 12 noon

Where: The Atrium, BCE Place

What: Announcement of six architectural design finalists

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