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The house at 490 Delaware Ave. in Toronto is getting an extreme makeover thanks to a group of architecture students.

The students are converting the first floor of the two-storey row house into a fully accessible living space.

Project Delaware is the assignment of AIAS Freedom by Design at Ryerson, a program facilitated by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) that uses the talents of architecture students to impact the lives of people in their community through designed, funded and built modifications to their living environments. Ryerson has the only Canadian chapter of the AIAS.

The Delaware house is operated by Ecuhome Corporation, a social housing provider supported by the City of Toronto. Students created designs for Project Delaware that aim to meet Ontario Building Code standards and involves renovations to the bedroom, living room and bathroom. It’s a yearly initiative to positively affect disabled, low-income individuals.

Third-year architecture students Andrew Lockhart and Steven Biersteker, along with Antonio Cunha in fourth-year, are the project managers. All three agree that despite the high stakes involved in this project, it has been invaluable to their education.

“You don’t get an opportunity to put a dollar amount on what you design,” Cunha said. “The real-life experience is priceless.”

Lockhart adds, “The project has largely been a lesson in construction co-ordination and management. Design has been a third of the process.”

The entire group consists of 19 architecture students and one radio and television student, who is making a documentary about the project. Freedom by Design has provided a strong collaboration between students and industry professionals, who have helped as advisors. Primary partners include architects Turner Fleischer, Baldwin & Franklin Architects Inc., Daniel Johnson Architect Inc. and Jonah, who participated in a day-long charrette where students worked in groups to create designs for the Delaware Ave. modifications.

Currently, the group is awaiting approval of the building permit and once that’s approved, construction will begin late next week. Once construction gets going, Biersteker will be keeping a tight schedule. Buttcon Limited, a general contracting company, is acting as a construction partner on this project and provided an electrician, plumber, tile setter and drywaller.

“The idea is to have new students learn from others who have construction experience as well as learn from the trades workers,” Biersteker said.

While everyone in the group is exhausted at this time of year and balancing Project Delaware and exams, Biersteker, Lockhart and Cunha don’t regret taking on the opportunity.

“Our goal was to integrate Ryerson in the community,” Lockhart said.

Biersteker adds, “This is a tangible way we can learn, give to the city and do something beyond our schooling.”

“At the very least, this project has raised awareness about what we can do at university and outside of it,” Cunha said. “This is the first step. And it may not be for credit, but anyone involved can include it in their portfolios.”