Pier 8 Hamilton, Ontario

We are proud to be part of the Waterfront Shores Corporation’s architectural design team — comprised of KPMB Architects, superkül, gh3 Inc. and Omar Gandhi Architect – that was recently selected as the preferred proponent of the Pier 8 Development Opportunity RFP process.

Emerging from a series of collaborative design workshops, our vision for this new development at the edge of Hamilton Harbour emphasizes the establishment of a vibrant and healthy creative community that is sustainable, innovative, beautifully designed, socially relevant and economically viable. It prioritizes an intensely local response that encourages entrepreneurial prosperity while incorporating the specificities of site and culture. Our scheme negotiates the delicate relationship between land and water while referencing Hamilton’s historical significance and the natural and industrial landscape surrounding the Pier 8 community.

Our proposal includes 1,292 condominium units spread over eight residential blocks, complemented by 6,440 square metres of street-level retail in addition to a public community hub. These buildings are designed with pedestrians in mind, at a scale in keeping with the residential buildings in Hamilton’s North End. A palette of architectural forms – podium, bar and townhouse – are combined in various configurations to create a series of hybrid typologies that are nonetheless read as a unified whole, achieving, in effect, a sense of coherent diversity.

Designed as a phased development, Pier 8 will incorporate a number of urban innovations that will engender a dynamic and engaging community for all ages, cultures and abilities. An animated ground plane comprised of a network of sidewalks, laneways, semi-private courtyards and pedestrian paths link the blocks with lushly landscaped open spaces to encourage interaction and outdoor activity. Walkability and a greater sense of connectivity amongst the predominantly retail, commercial and public spaces at grade are achieved through this fine-grained circulation network, providing easy access to all parts of the site and to the water’s edge.

With 40% of the total site area devoted to publicly accessible open space, specific landscape strategies recognize the therapeutic and healing benefits of nature. Green space is maximized in the form of parkland and courtyards, with a significant portion of the buildings given over to green roofs. To achieve organic diversity and a holistic sense of place, we – along with a multidisciplinary team of experts – will undertake an integrated design process to meet our advanced sustainability agenda, in hopes of receiving both LEED Gold and WELL certification – the leading tool for advancing health and well-being in buildings globally.

Project Status
In progress

Design
KPMB Architects, superkül, gh3 Inc. and Omar Gandhi Architect

Viualization
Norm Li