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-- Toronto's Electrical Substations Disguised As Houses

Toronto's Electrical Substations Disguised As Houses

http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2006/0...mer-houses.html

quote:

In 1987, Canadian photographer Robin Collyer began documenting houses that aren't houses at all – they're architecturally-disguised electrical substations, complete with windows, blinds, and bourgeois landscaping. "During the 1950s and 1960s," Collyer explains in a recent issue of Cabinet Magazine, "the Hydro-Electric public utilities in the metropolitan region of Toronto built structures known as 'Bungalow-Style Substations.' These stations, which have transforming and switching functions, were constructed in a manner that mimics the style and character of the different neighborhoods." Simulacra meant to reflect how it looks to be domestic and Canadian, "there are about 100 of these structures located on residential streets in the central and the suburban parts of the greater Toronto area." Pictured here are only five of them. So if you live in suburban Toronto and your neighbor's house is humming – perhaps now you know what's really going on inside. Meanwhile, the address 555 Spadina – i.e. the third image, above – shows up in this list of 322 properties owned by the city of Toronto. If anyone out there knows something about the other 321 buildings... be in touch. (Note: These images come courtesy of the Centre for Contemporary Canadian Art – with the exception of the first, which appeared in Cabinet Magazine).

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I always thought this was a very cool idea.

Back in the day when I used to have a co-op with Toronto Hydro with their 13.8kV Underground Distribution Dept. I had no idea they did that until then; I thought it a neat idea and gets rid of what would otherwise be, quite an eyesore.

I learned a few other things like just how friggin' OLD some of those underground transforers are too...
And did you know that if the transformers in the CN Tower die, they can't replace or move them?
The city(?) passed a law that makes it impossible to transport PCBs anywhere in the GTA...(the old transformers are chalk FULL of PCBs)...

very cool.

I want to break into one of these houses to see what the insides look like, but i'm too scared of getting electocuted/splashed with toxic waste.

hmmm...probably not that exciting inside.

It would be funny if there was *one* maintenance employee there though...enjoying hardwood flooring, stainless steel applicances, marble countertops and 40" LCD TV w/home theatre.

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Originally posted by MarkT hmmm...probably not that exciting inside. It would be funny if there was *one* maintenance employee there though...enjoying hardwood flooring, stainless steel applicances, marble countertops and 40" LCD TV w/home theatre.

don't forget the booze!!

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT hmmm...probably not that exciting inside. It would be funny if there was *one* maintenance employee there though...enjoying hardwood flooring, stainless steel applicances, marble countertops and 40" LCD TV w/home theatre.

LOL

It's more for the sense of discovery, like travelling the subway tracks underground by foot and checking out the abandoned stations and secret rooms and such.

theres one of these things right by my house. lol its around the huntingwood/pharmacy area. had no idea what it was. just looked like a regular house with "caution severe risk of electric shock" writton on a sign on the "front porch" lol

i know of several here in hamilton....

quote:

Originally posted by AwakenedAddict It's more for the sense of discovery

http://www.infiltration.org/

I can remember seeing one of these in London.. Interesting idea!

There was one on the corner on Westmount rd and Greenbrook dr in kitchener, then they closed it and put the house up for sale, it was just one big empty room, i think some one bought it ne ways tho.

Cool. there was a bell one in my old neighbourhood.

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Originally posted by Surreal JRS http://www.infiltration.org/

we have a few in Waterloo, one on Weber St North of King (second crossing) and one at the corner of University and Lincoln. there's a few others..

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Originally posted by Tim I keep imagining nuclear families of transformers, one in each bedroom and two in the master suite. Where do they go to church? What schools? What does breakfast consist of for a transformer? Maybe Pancakes with PCBs

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Originally posted by Surreal JRS http://www.infiltration.org/

great site.

just a word of caution thou, be advised that NOBODY has ever survived the third rail. ever.

neat

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Originally posted by Pettiscool just a word of caution thou, be advised that NOBODY has ever survived the third rail. ever.

What do you mean?

quote:

Originally posted by *~LiSa-LoO~* What do you mean?

The third-rail is the electrified rail on the subway lines (the other two are the rails the wheels of the train go on). If you touchy, you get crispy.

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