Christopher Chow Portfolio 2025

Architecture 2025

PORTFOLIO Christopher E. Chow

Selec ted Wor k s

CHRISTOPHER E. CHOW christopher.cecw@gmail.com 289-500-9189 Toronto, Ontario

Welcome to my portfolio!

Hey! I’m Christopher Chow, an aspiring architectural designer from Toronto with a deep fascination for how design shapes storytelling within the built environment. I believe every space holds layers of meaning either rooted in culture, history, or through personal narratives. I aim to explore how architectural integration can evoke sensory and aesthetic experiences, crafting spaces that tell compelling and immersive stories.

These curated projects reflect my passion for history and culture, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens to create meaningful and engaging architectural expressions.

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WORK EXPERIENCE 2022-2024

BGA Architects Inc. - Architecture Intern Worked on building projects from a range of residential to small to medium sized commercial typologies. Took responsibilities in working on all phases from schematic design to cons truction documentation.

Linkedin

AWAR D S & E X PER I EN CE S 2024-2025 DAS Year End Show Featured project “Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist” in DAS Year End Show

2023

325 Magazine Featured in 2023 New Year Edition - ‘Precipice’

2022

Architectural Competition ‘Precipice’ Shortlisted for top 12

2022

Student Mentor Helped guide and advise 1st year DAS students Scheduled/organized regular meetings and reviews with mentee

2021-2024 Dean’s List 2021

Architectural Competition ‘Orion’s Pavilion’ Received people’s choice award

E D U C AT I O N 2020-Present Co-Op BArchSC Toronto Metropolitan University (Formerly Ryerson University) Expected Graduation June 2025

SKILLS

Rhino

Revit

AutoCAD

Enscape

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Indesign

Physical Modelmaking

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Premier Pro

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Microsoft Word Powerpoint

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PROJECTS 01

02

Baldwin Commons24

Hasting Park Towers

Catholic Church Acedemic - 2024

Mixed-Use Residential Acedemic - 2025

Community Housing Acedemic - 2022

P. 6

P. 18

P. 26

Church of Saint John the Evangelist

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03

2B Final. Christopher & Daniel

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05

Dufferin Grove Highschool

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Precipice

Lake Scugog Cottage

Public Highschool Acedemic - 2023

Sensual Experience

Single Family Residential

Competition - 2022

Professional - 2024

P. 34

P. 42

P. 48

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2024 Project Location Partner

Softwares Utilized: Rhino + Revit + Enscape

Catholic Church 425 Cherry Street, Toronto Danial Fiala

01

Post Production: Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad

Heaven

CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE E VA N G E L I S T

e

m

l ta on sion z i r es Ho ogr Pr

Vertical Ascension

Ti

Adjacent to Toronto’s Distillery District, this project reinterprets traditional cathedral design through a contemporary lens. The Church of St. John explores the use of precast paneling systems as a modern expression of ornamentation. Symbolically, the church serves as a liturgical metaphor for both origin and culmination.

Drawing from the Book of Genesis and Revelation, the design achieves vertical and horizontal progression through sacred geometry, reinforcing the spiritual journey from beginning to end.

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Interior Perspective Towards the Altar

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2B

Progressive Growth; Columns & Lanterns

Interior Perspective of the Nave

Jesus ascends to Heaven

Interior Perspective Above the Altar

2B F

esus ascendsTree to Heaven Columnar Growth

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Altar of Sacrifice

Genesis to Revelation Interior Perspective Above the Crossing

The Clouds of Heaven

Interior Perspective Looking up at the Ceiling

Concept - Sacred Geometries

Circle

Line

Triangle

Square

Octogon

Representation of unity, God, and the divine. The vertical forms of the church converge to a single point.

Representation of duality, God’s gift of rationality to Man allows us to strive towards good in opposition of evil.

The vertical forms of the church reach upwards

Representation of the Holy Trinity. The Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost.

Representation of multiplicity and procreation. ‘Nature’ is that which is born; the first rational product of 2 x 2 = 4. Man is mortally bound on Earth to create.

The Octogon is represented by the number 8, which symbolizes the meeting ground between the physical reality and God. The number symbolizes the beginning of a higher cycle.

Priory

Church of St. John

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Plan Ground Floor

10.

9.

8.

11.

12.

7.

4.

6.

5.

*

*

*

*

*

* 3.

*

*

13.

*

*

*

2. *

*

* 1. Narthex 2. Side Aisles 1.

3. Nave 4. Crossing 5. Votive Candles 6. Baptismal Font 7. Raised Pulpit 8. Side Altars 9. Altar 10. Sacristy 11. Credence Table & Altar Chairs 12. Communion Rail 13. Sunken Plaza

* 14 Stations of the Cross 10

Render South West Perspective

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Render South Perspective from the Garden Church Fountain

2B Final. Christopher & Daniel

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Render Nave to Side Aisle Perspective Side Aisle

2B Final. Christopher & Daniel

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Render the Choir Towards

Crossing to Nave Perspective

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2B Final. Christopher & Daniel

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Geometries as a Generator Custom Furniture Design

Floor Patterns

Ornament Study

Pews

Baptismal Font

Credence Table

Raised Pulpit

Chandeliers

Octagon as a Generator Design Patterns

Longitudinal Section

13 0

2.5

5

10

2B Final. Christopher & D

Elevation South

Church Proportions

an to Elevation Relationship

Elevation East Front of the Church

Beginning of the Nave

Rose Window Alignment

Rear of the Church

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Ground Floor Plan

West Elevation 2B Final. Christopher & Daniel

Structure Exploded Axonometric

Concept

ture of Panels

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

7.

1.

2B Final. Christopher & Danie 1. Foundation Walls 2. Exit Stair Core 3. Exterior Shear Walls 4. Interior Columns 5. Beams 6. Steel Crossing Structure 6. Precast Concrete Roof Panel

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Sectional Model Partner Daniel Fiala

Sectional Model 1:50

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Concept Model Partner Daniel Fiala

Learn more about the project

Model

previous model, we built a 1:75 Sectional model that displays interior and exterior conditions of the Nave. Showcasing the p oard, The walls were created by using laser cutting, and the ceiling was fabricated by 3D printing.

3D Printing & Assembly

Christopher & Daniel

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Concept Model 1:25

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2022 Project Location

Mixed-Use Residential Infill 75 Cecil Street, Toronto

02 BALDWIN COMMONS

Located at 75 Cecil Street in Toronto, Baldwin Commons addresses the challenge of transforming underutilized parking lots and leftover spaces created by city setbacks.

Drawing inspiration from Tokyo’s urban philosophy of emergence, the spontaneous formation of order and function through individual interactions without centralized control. Baldwin Commons adopts a bottom-up approach.

By using the familiar gable as a visual motif, this project is meant to empowers the local community to shape the space according to their needs. Rather than imposing order, Baldwin Commons embraces the organic, sometimes chaotic nature of communal life, allowing the neighborhood itself to define its purpose.

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Softwares Utilized: Revit + D5 Render Post Production: Photoshop, Illustrator

South East Exterior Perspective.

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CECIL STREET

LANE EAST SPADINA SOUTH CECIL

Site Analysis Unused Spaces

LANE SOUTH CECIL WEST HURON

SPADINA AVENUE

HURON STREET

BALDWIN STREET

BALDWIN VILLAGE

Identifying untilized spaces in the neighnourhood.

Sequence Diagrams Design Process

1. Addition of Laneways & Removal of Existing Building

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2. Breaking the City Grid

4. Final Design

3. Gabled Form, Visual Motif

Plan Ground Floor

PROPOSED WALKABLE PROMENADE LANE SOUTH CECIL WEST HURON

PROPOSED LANEWAY WINDOW WELL

HEDGE SCREEN

OTB

PWD OTB

HEDGE SCREEN

1258

56 TOTAL BIKE ST

MECHANICAL ROOM

DN

FLEXIBLE ROOM

OTB

HEDGE SCREEN UP

E.S.

OTB

PRIVATE STORAGE

OTB

DOUBLE UNIT

OTB

DN

OTB

LIVE-WORK UNIT

FLEXIBLE ROOM

OUTDOOR EVENT PLAZA SPACE

OTB OTB

FLEXIBLE ROOM

OTB

ø

1525

HEDGE SCREEN

BAR

SERVICE AND COOKING

UP

B

DN

3100

STRG

FOOD PREP

DOUBLE UNIT

OUTDOOR SEATING

PROPOSED WALKABLE PROMENADE

LANE EAST SPADINA SOUTH CECIL

DOUBLE UNIT

LIVE-WORK UNIT

LANE NORTH BALDWIN WEST HURON

BICYCLE PARKING

UP

LIVE-WORK UNIT

OUTDOOR SEATING

DOUBLE UNIT

E.S.

OTB UP

CAFE/BAR

LIVE-WORK UNIT

OTB

DN

FLEXIBLE ROOM

OTB

HEDGE SCREEN

B

PWD

GARBAGE DROP-OFF

SAFETY BOLARDS

PROPOSED LANEWAY LANE NORTH BALDWIN WEST HURON

LANE EAST SPADINA SOUTH CECIL

PROPOSED WALKABLE PROMENADE OUTDOOR EVENT SPACE

ø

25

15

ø

25

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CO-WORRKING SPACE

STORAGE ROOM

A

A GROUP ROOM

OUTDOOR SEATING

HEDGE SCREEN

BALDWIN STREET

EXISTING SIDEWALK

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Section AA Community Co-Working Space

PROPERTY LINE

PROPOSED LANEWAY

Elevation East Elevation

OUTDOOR EVENT SPACE ENTRANCE

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ENTRANCE

CO-WORKING SPACE

Physical Model Form Study

Material Exploration.

Physical model highlighting cascading mass.

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Render Looking through “the Alley”

Render Night Condition

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Axonometric + Section BB

Public Rooftop Amenity

Family Unit

Garbage/Loading

3 Floor Unit

Parapet Detail

Live Work Unit

Wall Detail

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2022 Project Location

Community Housing 116 Hastings St N, Bancroft, ON

Softwares Utilized: Rhino + Enscape Post Production: Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad

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H A S T I N G PA R K TOWERS

Located on 116 Hastings St N, Bancroft.

Hasting Park Towers tackles the idea of connecting communities by bringing nature within the ground floor of the project. Using a proposed park north of the site, the intent is to spread the park within the site, providing natural views and user interactions.

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Exterior Visualisation

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Parti Diagram

Concept

The Intent of the project stems from the organization of le Corbusier’s Radiant City as a criticism of post war architecture. The Radiant City was an unrealized master plan that wanted to serve as a walkable city with large amounts of green space and sunlight. The problem was the rationalist nature of the plan as it was to orderly, segregated, and did not promote natural interactions with its own community. Hasting Park Towers is a critique on how the Radiant City may not work at such a large scale, but rather could work at a smaller more intimate scale while organizing the community in a more organic fashion.

Developement Sequences

Natural Landscaping

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Residential Towers

Circulation

Plan Ground Floor

A

A

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Section South Section

The project is composed out of 7 uniform towers; 7 family units, 4 single bedroom units, and 1 accessible unit.

Ground Floor Studio Space

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Plans Unit Plans

2nd Floor Living Space

3rd Floor Bedrooms

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Unit Isometric Exploded

Master Bedroom Bathroom 17m2 2 6.5m Secondary Secondary Bedrooms Bedrooms 10m2 2 10m

Kitchen/Living Kitchen/LivingRoom Room 52m2 2 52m

Solarium/Balcony Solarium/Balcony 14m2 2 14m

Work WorkStudio Studio 2 2 32m 32m

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Bathroom Master Bedroom 6.5m22 17m

Storage Storage 1m2 1m2 Powder Room Room Powder 2 2.5m 2 2.5m

Elevation East Elevation

Elevation South Elevation

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2022 Project Location Partner

Alternative Highschool 900 Dufferin St, Toronto, ON Leshin Chew

Softwares Utilized: Revit + Enscape Post Production: Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad

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DUFFERIN GROVE HIGHSCHOOL

Located on 900 Dufferin St. Dufferin Grove Highschool focuses on the idea of the natural environment influencing the quality of education in an urban setting. The project compares and contrasts urban educational difficulties that a suburban highschool might not experience.

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Exterior Render of “The Valley”

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Diagram Concept

The form is inspired by a series of pre-existing rivers that ran through the adjacent Dufferin Grove Park located South-East of the site.

Parti Parti + Intention + Parti Intention + Intention MASSINGMASSING NARRATIVE NARRATIVE MASSING NARRATIVE

Existing River Existing River Existing River

The central valley of the project relates back to the history of the park and how the river’s identity has imprinted itself onto the terrain, eroding a path within the park. The “river” represents a metaphor of a connection of bodies, connecting a path with the urban and natural environment.

Located at 900 Located dufferin street, at 900This dufferin urban Located street, This at 900 urban dufferin street, This urban alternative highschool alternative project highschool is meant alternative project to is meant highschool to project is meant to tackle problemstackle an suburban problems highschool an suburban tackle problems highschool an suburban highschool might not experience. might not How experience. does natural might How does not experience. natural How does natural views affect theviews qualityaffect of education the quality within views of education affect thewithin quality of education within an urban setting? an Dufferin urban setting?

Glen highschool Dufferin an urban Glen setting? highschool Dufferin Glen highschool is meant to bring is meant the natural to bring environment the natural is meant environment to bring the natural environment from the adjacent from Dufferin the adjacent grove park Dufferin from into grove the adjacent park into Dufferin grove park into a everyday normal, a everyday for optimizing normal,learning foraoptimizing everyday normal, learningfor optimizing learning and well-being.and well-being. and well-being.

Divotted terrain Divotted terrain Divotted terrain

Diagram Massing Concept MASSINGMASSING SEQUENCE SEQUENCE MASSING SEQUENCE

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Site with Corner Conditions

Extrusion of Mass

Connection to Dufferin Grove Park

Divide to mimic the rivine and widen connections

Terraces + Bridges Soften mass and promote spontaneous connections

Plan Ground Floor

39 STORIES NEW DEVELOPMENTS CLUSTER

B

CROATIA STREET

A1 A

CERAMICS STORE ENTRANCE

UP

UP

B1

CERAMICS STORE 79 m²

UP

PROPOSED STREET

B 2 STORIES OUR LADY QUEEN OF CROATIA CHURCH

C1

C

WASHROOM Not Enclosed

WASHROOM

D1

Not Enclosed

3 STORIES RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

D STORAGE 33 m²

E1

BACK OF HOUSE Not Enclosed

CUSTODIAN POTTERY STUDIO ENTRANCE LAN

E F1 F

NORTH VALLEY ENTRANCE UP UP

DROP-OFF AREA

NORTH EAST ENTRANCE

G1

COMMUNAL SPACE

288 m²

UP

UP

H1

UP

ACADEMIC STORAGE

VP OFFICE

P OFFICE

11 m²

11 m²

31 m²

STAFF ROOM 79 m²

I1

STUDENT COMMONS

G

DUFFERIN STREET

POTTERY STUDIO

FAMILY STUDIES 145 m²

WELLER LANE

I

GENERAL OFFICE

BACK OF HOUSE

45 m²

38 m²

UP

UP

J1

GIRLS WASHROOM

BOYS WASHROOM

11 m²

13 m²

CONSTRUCTION 162 m²

J

K1

SOUTH EAST ENTRANCE SOUTH VALLEY ENTRANCE GYM STORAGE

GIRLS CHANGEROOM

57 m²

50 m²

BOYS CHANGEROOM 51 m²

GYM OFFICE

BACK STAGE

12 m²

17 m²

15 STORIES APARTMENT BUILDING

K

UP

L1

STAGE

3 STORIES DUFFERIN MALL

PERFORMANCE SPACE 187 m²

OUTDOOR GARDEN

A

A'

GYNAMSISM

M1

L

631 m²

BLEACHERS /CHAIR STORAGE

N1 MAIN PATH

UP OPEN GREEN SPACE

O1

DUFFERIN PARK AVE

1A

2A

3A

1

4A

2

3

4

B'

GROUND FLOOR PLAN 1:200 0

5

10

15m

DUFFERIN GROVE PARK

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Perspective Classroom

Perspective Pottery Studio

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Sectional Concept Model Additional Double Skin Proposal Partner Leshin Chew

Addditional angles of the model

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Sectional Perspective Section BB

Isometric Details

01 Roof Assemby Plant Material Growing Medium Roof Drain Diffuusion Mambrane 100mm Rigid insulation Roof Barrier Membrane Concrate Slab 150mm Compostite Steel Decking 800mm Open Web Steel Joist Drop Ceiling

02 Interior Floor Assembly Terrazzo Flooring Membrane Poured Concrete on Steel Composite Decking 800mm OWSJ Fastener Hangger Wire Allunimuum Tracker Drop Ceiling Panel

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03 Parapet Assembly

4 el lev 0 00

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Aluminum Cap Flashing Phenolic Composite Panel Surface Mount System Sub Girt Vapour Barrier 200mm Light Steel Frame Stud 100mm Rigid Insulation Air barrier Cement Board Alluminum furring Concrete Panel Wrap Around Cap Flashing Offset Parapet Aluminium Railing

04 Green Roof Assembly Plant Material Growing material Roof Drain Diffusion Membrane 100mm Rigid Insulation Roof Barrier Membrane Poured Concrete on Steel Composite Decking Suspended Baffle Ceiling Fastener to Steel Decking Suspension Rod Metal Keel Baffle Tube

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2022 Project Team Type Organization Achievement

Sensual Experience Josh Subang Design Competition Archiol Top 12

Softwares Utilized: Rhino Post Production: Photoshop, Illustrator, Autocad

05 PRECIPICE

Precipice is an architectural interpretation of Zakhar Valaha’s heroic musical piece. The structure is composed of walls that envelope a narrow and confined space that gradually open to vast expansive areas. The structure narrates a hero’s journey building anticticpation, curiousity, and intrigue as you pass through restrictive openings in the beginning sequence. The walls conceal and obstruct the view of the destination. Perforated light wells made in the walls and roof guide people throughout the space illuminating a pathway in which to walk.

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Concept Project Inspiration

Audio Clip

1

2

1

2

3

4

The Intro: Valaha sets a precedent for the rhythm for the entirety of the song. These motifs are carried throughout the piece and are signified through the various peaks and valleys of the audio The ebb and flow is maintained and expressed in the extruded volumes carved out of the general massing of the structure. Pauses and intervals of silence are interpreted as void spaces

3 The Build Up: The crescendo is articulated through the gradual

change in elevation through the elongated corridor, light wells, and colossal constraining walls of the structure.

4

The Climax: The entrance to the meditative space reveals a vast open area. A drastic change in elevation is made as you proceed down the set of stairs.

5 The Cado: Subsequently the observer has reached the end of their journey after physically experiencing the apex of the song. In this space, you are able to reflect and meditate. This room signifies the culmination of past experiences, hardship, trials, and tribulation.

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5

Perspective Moment of Climax

Elevation South Elevation

SOUTH ELEVATION

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Plan Ground Floor

A

DN

DN

A

PLAN

46

Elevation East Elevation

Section Section AA

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PROFFESIONAL WORK 2024 Project Type Architects/Team Softwares Used

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Lake Skugog Cottage Residential Barry Goldman Architects Inc. Revit, AutoCAD, Enscape, Photoshop

Project Contribution + The Design from schematic to design developement + Building 3D Model + Responsible for communications and coorrdination between the client + Render 3D visualizations for presentations

Front Perspective

Rear Perspective

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Floor Plan Ground Floor

Floor Plan Second Floor

4-2024 ISSUED FOR DESIGN DEVELOPEMENT 4-2024 ISSUED FOR SCHEMATIC DESIGN 9-2024 ISSUED FOR SCHEMATIC DESIGN

TE

Plans prepared by: BARRY GOLDMAN ARCHITECT

321 CARLAW AVE, UNIT 203 Toronto Ont. M4M 2S1 Tel: 647-346-9105 Email: barry@goldmanarchitect.com

NEW CONSTRUCTION

121 ALDRED DRIVE PORT PERRY, ONTARIO

GROUND FLOOR

DESCRIPTION

Plans prepared by: BARRY GOLDMAN ARCHITECT

321 CARLAW AVE, UNIT 203 Toronto Ont. M4M 2S1

NEW CONSTRUCTION

121 ALDRED DRIVE

DATE:

MAY 29th, 2024

SCALE:

3/32" = 12"

DRAWN BY:

S.M. & C.C

CHECKED BY:

DATE: SCALE:

DRAWING NO.:

A1

B.G.

MAY 29th, 2024 3/32" = 12"

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DRAWING NO.:

Thanks For Reading!

C O N TA C T Christopher E. Chow 50

christopher.cecw@gmail.com

(289) 500 9189