Built in 1889, 512 Jarvis Street was originally conceived as a single-family residence, designed by celebrated architect E.J. Lennox. AXIA was employed to transform this listed heritage structure into a 26-room transitional housing facility for senior women, in order to provide a much-needed long-term residence for this vulnerable population, which includes those recovering from domestic violence.

Throughout the project, AXIA navigated a complex rezoning and public consultation process. Fraught with resistance from neighbours, the project nevertheless moved forward thanks to a strong commitment from the client (the charitable organization Fred Victor), coupled with generous public and political support. Launched in 2018, this project required a careful balance between spaces conducive to solitude and individual healing, and on the other hand a large number of living units to meet the needs of this underserved group. Understanding this, AXIA breathed new life into these spaces, while preserving certain historical elements and details to act as motifs of domesticity. These dignified memories of the original architecture are reintroduced as carefully curated moments in the building’s refreshed design. Additionally on a more practical level, the attic was reclaimed as occupiable floor area and the basement floor was lowered in order to provide more space for programming.