Q&A with architect Rosario Varacalli

Lydia McNutt 1 Yorkville’s multi-faceted façade is its claim to fame. What influenced your idea for this ever-changing exterior?
Rosario Varacalli I am fascinated in creating patterns on buildings that are graphical and memorable.

LM What public reaction are you hoping to achieve?
RV I hope that people will come to realize that architecture can have an influence on the neighbourhood in which it is created.

LM What was your approach to combining this ultra-modern structure with the historic Yorkville Village buildings below it – opposites in both their scale and style?
RV We wanted to create a juxtaposition between the old and new that brings the historic value of the older buildings seamlessly into the elegant modern design of the new structure.

LM What do you consider about the surrounding environment when designing buildings in urban areas?
RV I look at the public realm, the culture of the neighbourhood, its uses, the skyline; essentially the context in which the building will find itself.

LM What do your architectural designs say, about you and your personality?
RV Innovative – I am always looking for innovative solutions to the location, innovative ways in using materials, innovative shapes, etc.

LM How do you envision the future of highrise in Toronto?
RV Highrise living is becoming more and more a source of a principle residence for people living in Metro Toronto. As immigration increases and space in the city lessens, and those living in the suburbs become impatient with the commute into downtown, we are seeing an increase in the desire to live in less space in a more convenient location closer to one’s workplace and to the amenities of the city. The result is that the only direction for the city is to go up. This clearly aligns with the City of Toronto’s mandate for intensification in the downtown areas and a continued interest for builders to address that requirement.

For more information on 1 Yorkville, click here.