Kitchener ON / 2023
OPHELIA
ON QUEEN.
Preserving the two historic houses along Queen Street was central to the development’s planning process. Their prominent location at the front portion of the property naturally influenced the spatial and architectural strategy for the rest of the site.
To protect their presence and character, the new apartment building was placed at the rear of the site. This careful positioning ensured that the historic homes remained the most visible and prominent features along Queen Street. The contrast between historic and contemporary is deliberately understated — the new building, conceived as a simple, rectilinear volume, is matte black and features reflective glazing on much of its front façade. The materiality and colour palette were chosen to allow the building to visually recede, creating a subdued backdrop that defers to the historic structures in front.
“One new apartment building, and two old historic houses.
The mural I created with fellow artists was meant to capture a moment in time. We painted the houses as they were before their restoration — with plywood covering the windows, construction signage, and exposed electrical cables. It’s a snapshot of their transition, not just their beauty.
The bold stripes visible from the street act as a kind of curtain — a foil. To really see the detailed painting of the houses, the viewer has to be curious, to step closer and look beyond the surface.
To history!”
— Don Miller, artist of “The Wall”
The removal of a non-heritage house at the northern edge of the site created a vital opening in the streetscape, allowing for the apartment building’s main entrance and a stronger connection between the development and the public realm. In response to the increased density, a public-facing artwork was incorporated into the design as a gesture of cultural and aesthetic contribution.
The project thoughtfully integrates contemporary design into a historic setting, using subtle architecture and public art to complement the existing heritage while meeting modern needs. ◣