This older townhouse development is located in the suburbs of Don Mills, Toronto, and was built around the early 1960s. It is one of the most utopian social-housing-like typologies in the city, having un-gated 'common' spaces in both the front and backyards. The backyards of the row-houses face each other and are mostly open (without continuous fencing) to share connected grass-scapes where saplings have developed into mature trees. Having such semi-public/private spaces can bring about a sense of community, along with the sharing of greenery and sunsets. The fronts of the buildings are usually lawned, but paved walkways or entryways can sometimes form courtyard-like spaces or an old-world streetscape where kids can be found socializing, playing, and running. Such habitable spaces are made possible as parking for all dwelling units is pushed to the edge of the property as an above grade parking area off of a main driveway. Parking is sometimes located under a carport roof structure that can shelter the cars beneath just enough from rain and snow, without the need for underground parking (which would un-necessarily sky-rocket construction costs and pose significant harm to the environment).

I was glad to be able to finish a six-sketch watercolour summer composition of an older, lower-tech townhouse development not too far from the OAA. It is titled 'Love of the Common People Housing,' a play on the song by famous 1980s UK singer Paul Young.

This blOAAg post is an entry in the popular annual series, Summer Sketches. To see other items from this year, click here. To see all Summer Sketches, click here.