When Graywood Developments Ltd. and Beaverhall Homes came up with the concept for Ocean Club on Etobicoke’s park-like waterfront, they knew that the landscaping in this condominium community would have to be special.
To ensure that the natural components would fit into the scenic surroundings and create the kind of environment today’s sophisticated purchasers expect, they enlisted the preeminent Landscape Architectural firm Strybos Barron King.
According to Matt Strybos, Ocean Club exemplifies many new trends in condominium landscaping. “Today’s condo dwellers demand great outdoor spaces,” he says. “What works inside tends to work outside, so there is a greater collaboration with designers to make the interior flow and connect with the outdoor spaces. Outdoor recreation areas are typically located on roof terraces and consist of living rooms, kitchens and furnishings for alfresco dining. At Ocean Club, the 8th floor terrace is an elegant, high-quality outdoor entertainment area. Spaces are divided into smaller living sections delineated by lush plantings and featuring couches and lounge chairs, an outdoor kitchen and barbecue, dining area and sunning rooms. A trellis structure acts as a hallway connecting these inviting spaces.”
Another trend in condominiums is to include lively urban streetscapes with outdoor restaurant patios, and convenient pedestrian connections to adjacent neighbourhood parks and open spaces. “On the east side of Ocean Club, terraced landscape spaces abut a future public park/pedestrian corridor that connects to Marine Parade Drive and the Humber Bay Waterfront Park, which will give residents direct access,” Strybos explains. “The landscaping on the south side is part of a vibrant streetscape and includes an outdoor patio off Ocean Club’s fantastic ground-floor restaurant.”
He adds that there is also a higher awareness and respect for environmental issues today, and that good landscape design contributes to sustainable development. Ocean Club’s landscape design is environmentally responsible. The selection of plant species includes a variety of drought-tolerant native and non-native trees, flowering shrubs, wildflowers and grasses, which are tougher and less prone to diseases. We chose the species carefully to ensure that the landscape remains attractive, efficient and low in maintenance.”
He continues, “Green roofs are also popular, as plants and soils are great insulators. They keep building temperatures cool, offer better sound proofing, improved air quality, reduced water run-off and better storm water management, and create pleasant views from surrounding buildings. At Ocean Club, we included green roof treatments, a minimal use of turf, and light-coloured paving materials that minimize solar heat absorption and combat the overall urban heat island effect.”
Attention to aesthetics rounds out the landscape design. “The emphasis today is shifting from functionality and economics to art, quality and beauty,” Strybos adds. “Ocean Club’s design addresses all these components in a spectacular way.”
The Ocean Club Presentation Centre is at 128 Marine Parade Drive (continuation of Park Lawn, south of Lakeshore Blvd.) Visit www.oceanclubcondos.ca or call 416-255-4663.
