Aqualuna

Aqualuna is a residential project in Toronto, Canada that is literally born out of its spectacular waterfront location. Its playful façade reflects the waves across Lake Ontario, while its terraces provide sweeping views of the water from nearly every suite. The original masterplan set the volume of Aqualuna to be a rectangular slab at one uniform height. However, with particular regard for the neighbouring buildings, and their views; it was decided to design a building as a landscape with two high points and a valley in between. By shifting these two ‘peaks’ slightly apart, one maximizes waterfront views from each unit; and results in the building having two fronts facing the water. This has resulted in daylight in the surrounding streets, views to the water from the neighbouring buildings, and sunlight on the Eastern promenade that benefits the neighbourhood and public realm. The curving wave-like balconies offer a unique design that has not been previously seen in Toronto. The inspiration for this design and aesthetic was to create a geometrical solution that solves both practical and design related issues. The geometry of the balconies is used to optimize the lake-views and the influx of daylight for each unit. The aesthetics of the balconies give the building a unique identity; create an impression of constant movement bringing life to the area; bring scale into the unit; and add a world class reference to the shores of Lake Ontario.