Founded in 1988, Casey House provides a variety of health care programs for people living with HIV/AIDS, including hospice facilities. The foundation emphasizes the right of individuals suffering the effects of the disease to die with dignity in an environment that feels more like 'Home', rather than a hospital.

Rendering by Hariri Pontarini Architects

Now, 25 years after Casey House opened its doors, new facilities are being built at 571 Jarvis street, which will include 14 new in-patient rooms. The original building was a mansion built in 1875 for clothing manufacturer William R. Johnston.

The elegant property - protected under the Ontario Heritage Act - with its well preserved interiors and exteriors, showcases the grandeur of Jarvis street from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As such, ERA Architects created a Master Plan for the project back in 2005, with the idea of rehabilitating heritage elements of the property, while integrating a new 4 storey, 59,000 square foot extension by Hariri Pontarini Architects.

Rendering by Hariri Pontarini Architects

The light-filled addition is arranged around a large landscaped courtyard that’s visible from every corridor, and each of the inpatient rooms. Unobstructed garden views and operable windows will provide cross-ventilation and a sense of connection to the outside world for those living at Casey House. Features like high-efficiency tinted glazing, rainwater cisterns, and locally-sourced materials improve the sustainability of the project.

Rendering by Hariri Pontarini Architects

With 1 in 120 Torontonians currently HIV positive, the need for housing that can accommodate the medical requirements of those most severely affected by the disease, without feeling overly clinical, has become an increasingly pressing issue. This project is a compelling example of the role architecture can play in supporting health, well-being and dignity.

Take a look Hariri Pontarini’s portfolio of residential projects.

This article was written and researched by Miranda Corcoran, a designer based in Toronto, currently studying Lighting Design at Ryerson University.