28 August 2024 - Permasteelisa Group, the global leader in the design, construction and installation of technically advanced building envelopes, has been appointed by EllisDon to deliver the bespoke curtain wall of the East Tower of the new Forma development, located in the heart of Toronto, Frank Gehry’s hometown.
Developed by Great Gulf, Dream Unlimited, and Westdale Properties, and designed by world renowned Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry, Forma is a mixed-use development that will comprise residential accommodation, commercial offices and retail and public spaces.
The first phase of the development is constituted by the East Tower, a 73-storey residential tower that will reach the height of 263 m (862 ft) and offer a total 864 residential units.
For this unique project, the design is characterized by a series of stacked vertical volumes wrapped in a textural glass and metal skin. Permasteelisa Group has been selected to design, engineer and build over 35,000 square metres (376,700 sq ft) for a total of around 7,500 bespoke curtain wall units, 1,900 operable vents, 2,500 slot vents, storefront, window wall, soffits, and fire safing.
The design phase is in an advance stage of execution and production will shortly commence at Permasteelisa’s facility in Italy, where all of the stainless-steel shaped elements will be produced and many of the bespoke elements of the façade will be manufactured. The remaining units will be manufactured in Montreal, Canada.
The installation phase – to be led by Permasteelisa in North America - is planned to start in October 2025, with a scheduled completion date of the façade works by August 2028.
Liam Cummins, Permasteelisa Group’s CEO, comments: "We are proud to have been chosen by EllisDon to deliver such an important project for the city of Toronto.
Once completed, FORMA will be one of the tallest buildings in the city and the tallest in the world designed by Frank Gehry.”
Forma will complement many other remarkable projects where Permasteelisa Group has translated the architectural vision of Frank Gehry, including 8 Spruce Street in New York, Battersea Phase 3A in London, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
Permasteelisa Group is the leading global contractor in the design, engineering, project management, manufacture, installation and after-sales service of technically advanced building envelopes.
CGI caption: FORMA, where Permasteelisa Group will deliver specialist glazing and cladding expertise.
Credit: Courtesy of Great Gulf