{"id":13986,"date":"2023-03-09T15:22:37","date_gmt":"2023-03-09T23:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/explainer-pilotis-urbantoronto\/"},"modified":"2023-03-09T15:22:38","modified_gmt":"2023-03-09T23:22:38","slug":"explainer-pilotis-urbantoronto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/explainer-pilotis-urbantoronto\/","title":{"rendered":"Explainer: Pilotis | UrbanToronto"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"-\"<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n

Over his extensive and noteworthy career, Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier developed a manifesto of architectural principles that would guide his work. An open internal floor plan, a free design of the facade, a substantial horizontal window, and roof gardens were four of the “Five Points of Architecture” that he instilled within his projects. Perhaps the most visible entry on the list is the implementation of pilotis, a grid of reinforced columns that bears the structural load and replaces supporting walls.<\/p>\n

Pilotis are columns, pillars, or stilts that elevate a building above ground or water. They are employed for practical purposes in fishermen’s huts across Asia and Northern Europe, while finding a more aesthetic application in modern developments. By raising levels of the building off the ground, space that would otherwise be occupied by internal walls and corridors is instead dedicated to a variety of functions. Parking, pedestrian pathways, and green spaces have historically been occupants of these spaces.<\/p>\n

Villa Savoye, image by Flickr user August Fischer via Creative Commons<\/span><\/p>\n

One of Le Corbusier’s most recognizable works,\u00a0Villa Savoye (above) just outside of\u00a0Paris,<\/a>\u00a0elevates the volume with pilotis to allow for a continuity of the surrounding green space. Pilotis found an even larger use in the Brutalist\u00a0Marseilles Housing Unit<\/a>, which suspends 337 apartments on a series of exterior concrete columns.<\/p>\n

Pilotis have never particularly gone out of style but advancements in technology have altered their material and structural applications worldwide, with some buildings experimenting with form and colour to make the greatest visual or programmatic impact on the ground.<\/p>\n

Sharp Centre for Design at OCAD U in Toronto, image by Flickr user John Vetterli via Creative Commons<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the examples of buildings in Toronto that use pilotis, there is one very well known one from recent years, and another soon-to-be-well-known one that is still under construction. The image above is OCAD University’s Will Alsop-designed Sharp Centre for Design<\/a>, famously perched several floors above the street on colourful, canted pilotis, while the image below shows the St Lawrence Market North Building<\/a>, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners<\/a> with Adamson Associates Architects<\/a>, now under construction on Front Street at Jarvis.<\/p>\n

Jarvis Street exterior of the St Lawrence Market North Building in December, 2022, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Red Mars<\/span><\/p>\n

While the exterior of the new North Market building is wrapped by pilotis at ground level, an interior shot from November, 2022 (below) shows that the interior is supported by pilotis as well, allowing for a voluminous public space for an open ground level market to function. The floors above, set to become new traffic courts for the City of Toronto, are supported just through the grid of pilotis within and around the perimeter of the building.<\/p>\n

Interior of the St Lawrence Market North Building in November, 2022, image via the City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

Have any other construction and development related terms that you would like to see featured on Explainer? Share your thoughts and questions in the comments section below!<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

From 2015 to 2017, UrbanToronto and its sister publication, SkyriseCities, ran an occasional series of articles under the heading\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>. Each one took a concept from Urban Planning, Architecture, Construction, or other topics that often wind up in our publications, and presented an in depth look at it. It’s time to revisit (and update where necessary) those articles for readers who are unfamiliar with them. While you may already know what some of these terms mean, others may be new to you. We are publishing or updating and republishing\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0on a weekly basis. This article is an update of\u00a0one\u00a0that was originally published in 2017.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

Do you have other planning terms that you would like to see featured on\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>? Share your comments and questions in the comments section below!<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

Want to read other\u00a0Explainers<\/strong><\/em>? Click on the magenta\u00a0Explainer<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0box at the top of the page.<\/p>\n

* * *<\/p>\n

UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n