Partisans (architectural firm)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PARTISANS is a Toronto-based architecture firm.[1] The firm was founded in 2012 by partners Alex Josephson and Pooya Baktash.[2] As of 2023 the studio is run by Alex Josephson 'OAA in collaboration with senior leaders of the studio. The name PARTISANS represent the firm's interest in collective action and architecture as a political force for social and cultural good.[3][4]
 | |
| Formation | 2012 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Alex Josephson, Pooya Baktash |
| Founded at | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Privately Held |
| Services | Architecture & planning |
Key people | Alex Josephson, Nathan Bishop, Ian Pica Lambaseanu, Helena Che |
| Staff | 20-50 |
| Website | http://www.partisans.com/ |
History
In 2008, the founders of PARTISANS, Josephson and Baktash, were finishing their master's of architecture degree at the University of Waterloo.[5] They became close as they consulted on each other's thesis projects, and decided to go into business together.[5] Alex Josephson had previously worked as a sculptor and worked for the architect Massimiliano Fuksas in Rome before returning to Canada.[6] Both founders had previously worked at larger firms, where they were unable to be creative, and soon decided to set up their shop together.[5] Starting with small commissions from family, the pair soon started building their firm up, winning a commission from Osmington to become the lead architect of the redevelopment and expansion of Toronto’s historic Union Station’s commercial real estate “to leverage Union’s identity as a major transit hub and transform it into ‘a fluid stage for Toronto’s most ambitious culinary, cultural, design, and retail offerings."[7] Jonathan Friedman, a licensed architect with a decade of experience in Toronto, joined the firm in 2014 as partner and left in 2022 to found his own firm.[6]
Publications
Graphic Novel
In 2014, Partisans published a graphic novel called "Suburbabylonia", a part manifesto, part satire novel.[8] The book has the appearance of dreamy images and truth-seeking spaceman hero, but beneath the surface, the authors aim to mock an off-kilter version of a Toronto-like metropolis, destroyed by unchecked building boom and ineptitude of municipal politicians.[8]
Book
In 2016, Hans Ibelings along with Partisans co-wrote a book called "Rise and Sprawl: The Condominiumization of Toronto".[2] Together they tackle the criticism of Toronto's current skyline, and how the rapid growth of downtown as well as the condominium development has changed Toronto.[2]
Articles
Projects
- Grotto Sauna[9]
- First Tower 55 Yonge (Toronto)[10]
- Bar Raval
- Master Planning Innisfil Mobility Orbit, Garden City Plan for 50,000 new homes Ontario
- Toronto Biennial of Art
- Luminato Festival of the Arts, The Hearn
- Italian eatery Gusto 501[11]
- revamping Union Station, Toronto’s central train terminal