The Coptic community has survived since its origins in Egypt in mid first Century AD. The Copts are the descendants of the ancient Egyptians with a history dated back to the times of the Pharaohs. They were converted to Christianity by St. Mark the apostle and played a prominent role in the formation of the early Christian doctrine. In Canada, the Coptic community is flourishing and now there are more than 160,000 parishioners in some 10 congregations in the Greater Toronto Area.
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church, Toronto, is the first Coptic Church in North America, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
To meet the increasing needs of its congregation, the majority of which live in The Town of Markham, a site in a strategic location in Markham was chosen comprising 12.1 acres at Steeles Avenue and Ferrier Street for an ambitious multimillion dollar undertaking.
The Project is the subject of an International Design Competition and includes a Cathedral, a Community Centre, an Academic School, Daycare, Seniors Apartments, a Bishop's Residence, a Retirement and Nursing Home and an Office Building. World-renowned Urban Planners, Architects and Landscape Architects from 26 countries have registered to submit master-plan proposals for the St. Mark's Coptic Canadian Village resulting in 63 Submissions.
Three winning plans will be chosen and the design teams will receive their awards as follows: First prize is $60,000, second is $35,000 and third is $25,000.
The Advisor to the Competition is one of Canada's premier Urban Designers, the Toronto based Roger du Toit, Architect, Planer and Landscape Architect, CM, FCSLA, FASLA, BCSLA. "The concept has ignited the design profession's imagination," said du Toit. "It is a rare opportunity to plan a project of interrelated community and religious buildings and outdoor spaces around a Cathedral. We are going back to the roots of religious building, seeing the church as the center of the community."
The Complex of religious and community facilities will be a place where Egyptian-Coptic Architecture is reborn in 21st Century expression. The Project is to be a composition of state-of-the-art designs that form harmonious interrelated buildings. The Cathedral will be the centerpiece and a landmark at the entrances of the Town of Markham and the City of Toronto.
The vision includes spaces of peace, serenity, beauty, a symphony of shape, texture and colour expressing the religious concepts of the Christian Coptic Orthodox faith, tradition and spiritual values. The congregation hopes the Cathedral will embody a sublime expression of their faith, traditions and spiritual values in a contemporary architectural vocabulary.
(Program excerpt)
Allocation of Prizes
The competition's Program Notes covered a lot of ground, without establishing separate mandatory vs. non-mandatory requirements. The Jury, therefore, had both the ability and responsibility to balance the pros and cons of the various submissions' master planning, architectural, religious and programmatic merits. There were schemes with great architectural merit, and/or excellent master plan arrangements, and/or which provided all of the program components, and/or with imaginative interpretations of the symbolic challenge of an "Egyptian-Coptic Architecture reborn in 21st Century expression". However, the jury did not find one which met all four to a sufficiently high standard to warrant a 1st prize. Two 2nd prizes and two 3rd prizes were identified. The cash amounts were confirmed as those set in the Brief for each category, i.e., $35,000 for the 2nd prize and $25,000 for the 3rd prize. These add up to the total prize money of $120,000 originally envisioned.
2nd Prize
METROPOLITAN COPTIC CHURCH, TORONTO, 2003
Robert Levit, Toronto
An elevated cathedral, generous public open space, clear division between sacred and secular buildings, and logical parking access.
Strengths
The scheme has thoughtful massing and deployment of the main program elements. The Cathedral base is elevated, which allows for a ramping ascent from the street. There is a careful, appropriate tectonic expression for the scheme as a whole, with noticeable harmony among the buildings. The organization of green and open spaces is good.
There is a convincing multi-purpose east-west access road across the entire site, permitting separation of institutional and other uses as well as convenient parking access throughout the site. The scheme is easy to phase. The Cathedral is subtly located, with good exposure along its side onto Steeles Avenue, but with the main pedestrian approach from Ferrier Street.
Weaknesses or modifications needed
The Cathedral design is generally appropriate in character, but disappointingly underdeveloped, particularly in dramatic impact. The dome treatment of both the Cathedral and Church need further study to provide a more uplifting expression.
2nd Prize
THE 13 FONTS OF MARKHAM
CDP/TWC, Boston
A classic cathedral form incorporating Coptic tradition, excitingly interpreted in modern language, set in a composition of grand entry plaza and interior gardens.
Strengths
The scheme is notable for its appropriate, modern re-interpretation of the language of form of traditional Coptic religious buildings. It has a logical and thoughtful deployment of the main program elements on the site. The Complex expresses the desired village character and Coptic spiritual values with the Cathedral location in the centre, yet subtly positioned and massed to be prominent and visible from Steeles Avenue, without actually being on it. The forecourt has an excellent sense of arrival.
The open spaces are generous and well arranged for housing occupants, as well as for school use, offering security and privacy. There is an interesting mixed pedestrian-vehicular access way across the site from east to west, serving the Cathedral entry as well as other functions. There is a good balance between a desired "village" character and pedestrian and vehicular permeability from the surrounding roads. In principle, the parking arrangement around the perimeter permits the Cathedral to be built first with surface parking, which can be later replaced (with further additions) below grade. Green roofs contribute to increasing the bio-mass of the City and insulating against heat loss.
Weaknesses or modifications needed
The half "dome" at the east end of the Cathedral is not explicit enough, and should be reworked as a geometrically stronger dome element. The proposition of natural light for the Cathedral through a glazed vaulted roof is an innovative and exciting one, but may be problematic relative to heat gain, snow load and leakage. It need not be all glass. The phasing is underdeveloped, but could be workable given further study. The Sunday School seems poorly located. The required separately leasable office building component is missing. The Cathedral is unnecessarily large in plan area. The Baptistry location should be reconsidered. The Church Hall may need greater functional separation from the Nave. The elevation treatment is spotty; it is well-developed for the institutional elements, but awkward for housing and "administration".
3rd Prize
PYRAMIDS OF SPIRITUAL HARMONY
Hariri & Hariri Architecture, New York
A clean composition of large central space containing the dramatic forms of Cathedral and Church, including numerous interpretations of the Cross, and framed by the other buildings.
Strengths
A most dramatic solution, fulfilling the landmark requirement of the competition. The scheme proposes an excellent site arrangement, with secondary buildings, each with a clear sense of place, organized in an inverted "L" embracing the two churches. The Cathedral has very good exposure to both Steeles Avenue and Ferrier Street, a generous forecourt, landscape setting and processional entry ramp. Phasing is simple and straightforward. The phasing and ultimate organization of parking is well worked out.
Weaknesses or modifications needed
The scheme may pose a problematic interpretation of the traditions of Coptic religious architecture, given the lack of a dome. The forms, as depicted, have an appealing soft and tactically inviting feel, which may be misleading and not possible with real plastic material such as concrete.
3rd Prize
WELCOMING ENCLOSURE
Burckhardt + Partner, Zürich
Ephemeral domes of light enclosed within elegant translucent cubes of steel and glass, set in a reflective pool of water, thus establishing a sacred place framed by a built ring containing the other elements of the project.
Strengths
A brilliant concept, imaginative and thoroughly executed and depicted, addressing both the secular and religious requirement by 21st century means of glass and steel. The positioning of the two cubes in the water body within the site allows for contemplation and wonder by fusing sky and water. A true religious experience. This design also leads us to the 21st century of sustainable buildings by using vegetation and water and addressing heat recovery and optimum sun shade. The minimalist solution is a delight to the eye, creates a striking landmark, and has the potential to be an object of architectural pilgrimage.
This submission provides a new approach to the all-important Coptic concept of the Church being "Heaven on Earth", through creating an ephemeral dome of light; a real contribution to the debate about the rebirth of a contemporary Coptic architectural expression.
Weaknesses or modifications needed
The difficulty of depicting the Icon of Christ on the ephemeral dome presents a challenging re-interpretation of the language of form of traditional Coptic religious architecture. The site plan appears too introverted, surrounding the Cathedral and Church with a continuous wall to the public streets. The phasing is problematic, with all functions in a single building composition. It is unlikely to fit the budget range of church construction identified in the Brief.
Honourable Mentions
AND THERE WAS LIGHT
Ivan Saleff Architect, Toronto
A Cathedral design based on sacred Coptic numerology in proportion, columns, stairs, bays, and a dramatic translucent double dome configuration.
ENCLOSURE THRESHOLD CLOTH SACRED
Ambroziak Design Office, Knoxville
A tightly knit religious village or small "Mediterranean" townscape of buildings and town squares, with the cathedral as the high point.
EREMOS AIGYPTOS DIAKONIA KOINONIA
Gulzar Haider Design Group, Ottawa; Architects Alliance, Toronto
Twelve gardens, a town square, and a Cathedral interior of enclosing tree-like columns within a shimmering translucent cube.
EYE IN THE SKY
Helix Architecture, Seattle
A singular building encompassing the various program elements in a sensuously curved, jewel-like mega structure.
FOSS 0123
R + U Architecture, Brackendale, BC
Handmade model and drawings depicting a composition based on Noah's Ark; cathedral and church within a symbolic sea.
ILLUMINATED LANDSCAPE
AnnBehaArchitects, Boston
A monumental lawn as both setting and amenity, and a grand entry sequence from underground parking to cathedral.
MOTHER OF GOD THEOTOKOS
Town Planning Design & Architecture, Braine L'Alleud, Belgium
Using an icon of Mother and Child as a template, the Cathedral is in place of the Virgin, the Church as Christ, and the other facilities as a terraced-garden Halo.
WHERE EVERYTHING IS ONE
i & sd architecture + design, Milan
A cross-shaped, vaulted colonnade connects buildings and courts to symbolize the Coptic interweaving of faith, culture and secular activities.
(From jury report)
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Robert Levit Studio (Second Prize)
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CDP/TWC (Second Prize)
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Hariri & Hariri - Architecture (Third Prize)
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Burckhardt + Partner AG (Third Prize)
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Ivan Saleff Architect (Honourable mention)
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Brian Ambroziak (Honourable mention)
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Stefan Davidovici / i&sd architecture+design (Honourable mention)
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R + U Architecture (Honourable mention)
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Town Planning Design & Architecture - Witkowski (Honourable mention)
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Architects Alliance (Honourable mention)
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Ann Beha Architects (Honourable mention)
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Helix Architecture (Honourable mention)
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Edward Mitchell Architects
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x-architekten
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Marshall Strabala AIA
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Felix Cevela Architect
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Golemon Bolullo, Architects
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AMGAD GUIRGUIS
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Archform
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Tomas Lundberg Arkitektkontor
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Dimitri Papatheodorou, Architect
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Ashvin Karvat Architect
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von de Pahlen / von Matt
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Julian Jacobs Architects
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Stephen Mann Architect
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Victor Lam Architect
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Ashraf Botros et. AI (Group of architects)
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Miguel Escobar, Architect
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A Better Design / E. Phillip McCormick AIA, NCARB, NJPP
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Apsis Arkitektbyra
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Trope Design Research Limited
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Perry Meredith Sample
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Peter Anthony Berman, Architect and Planner
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ARCHITEKT Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang WAREKA
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The Kirkland Partnership
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Kazuhiro Ishii Architect & Associates
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Fumio Toki Associates
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Adel El Menchawy
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Caroline Ibrahim
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Motaleb architects Abdullah + Hering-Motaleb
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AGC Design Ltd.
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La Vie Brillante
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Propylaea Architecture Atelier
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LLM International Inc.
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Gerald Sullivan Architect
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Iñiguez, Ustarroz, Viar, Architects
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CNC Architect
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Jackson Ryder Architects Inc.
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HS Inc.
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Unto Kihlanki
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Studio di Architettura arch. Grassi Marco
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VIA Concepts, LLC
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Trinity Project Management
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Stein Halvorsen AS Sivilarkitekter MNAL
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Paul Laurendeau Architect
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PASIO Planning, Architectural, Structural Integrated-design Office
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KATIB-IL
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BROISSIN Y HERNANDEZ DE LA GARZA
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ARCADD, Inc.
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Pitropov Architect
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Douglas Muir Architect
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Ihsan Duygulu
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John Murray Architectural Associates
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wonderland.productions
| Jury | George Baird, Architecte |
| | Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, Architecte de paysage |
| | Marcos Marcos |
| | Mofeed Michael |
| | Larry Wayne Richards, Architecte |
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Advertisement : March 2003, Architectural Record
Documents posted on website : March 5, 2003
Close registration : April 25, 2003
Questions close : April 30, 2003
Answers posted : May 15, 2003
Submission Deadline : June 30, 2003
Jury meets approximately : July 15, 2003
Jury report complete approximately : July 31, 2003
Prize payments approximately : August 15, 2003
Publish results in the Architectural Record September issue
(From competition's documentation)
International Competition for Master Plan for Saint Mark's Coptic Canadian Village, Canadian Architect, 2003
Coptic Christian Village for Markham, Ontario
If you build it..., Canadian Architect
Ferenc, Leslie, 'Now I feel a little closer to God' - Pope Shenouda lays foundation for Coptic village in Markham, The Toronto Star, 2002
Lorinc, John, Devising a blueprint for faith : Coptic Church expansion, National Post, 2003
St. Mark's Coptic Christian Canadian Village, Concept, 2003
- Programme
- Documentation
- Résumé
- Questions et réponses
- Questions et réponses
- Budget
- Documentation
- Article de presse
- Documentation
- Article de presse
- Rapport du jury (global)
- Documentation
- Article de presse
- Article de presse
- Article de presse
