Reclaiming the Toronto Back-alley
Reallocating land from vehicles to people
In Toronto there is a repeating typology of narrow parcels connected by back alleys to access the property's detached garage. These back alleys are neglected and through time have either become storage or a canvas for graffiti artists. Unofficial uses for garages are not encouraged yet there are a handful of examples of self initiated additions, micro-businesses, and also community based projects to revive alleyways.
Since the city prioritizes an abundance of land to the automobile - multi floor garage structures, open air parking, street parking, single family unit garages - we propose to claim some back for the citizens of Toronto. The proposal does not radically eliminate space for parking, but rather builds above the garage structures. As technology advances and better public transportation is implemented the garage may then start having different uses.
The overhead housing intervention takes advantage of the narrow parcels modularity and implements a 10’ by 10’ structural grid that can be infilled. The roof is up to the user in order to claim certain agency over their space and to avoid a monotone facade - often mirroring the same cityscape of the narrow townhouses. The additional units can also be considered as an urban intervention since it will rejuvenate the back alley.
