The use of laneways for housing, transport and commerce, was an important part of Toronto’s urban fabric. The 19th century city relied on laneways to achieve density, efficiency, and social economic integration. During the recent past the laneway has been ignored and undeveloped.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, commissioned us to study laneways in Toronto, to determine the potential housing resource, and to develop a series of prototype house designs.

Our study indicates that the maximum development of the laneway would increase the housing stock in old Toronto by at least 5%. This represents an increase in the municipal tax base of some $11,000,000. Our prototype designs demonstrate viable, economical and exciting housing alternatives.