Dexel
Dexel
Dexel, a division of the Lawen Group, is a family owned design-build development firm located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dexel oversees the operations of Dexel Developments Limited and Dexel Architecture, managing all aspects of project development from preliminary design to the final building commissioning and occupancy phase. Dexel’s sister company, Paramount Management (Paramount), provides full-service property management services for Dexel’s mixed-use residential projects throughout Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
Recent work
Revitalizing and conserving our heritage
Located in Downtown Halifax between the Grand Parade and Province House, this project illustrates the value of mixed-use urban developments that integrate heritage, retail streets, and residential units. Following a successful Design Competition submission from Fathom Studio in December 2019, the project was awarded to Dexel Developments by the Province of Nova Scotia, and Fathom Studio was hired as the Architect of Record.
This project contributes to a revitalized downtown that addresses the past, present, and future of the site by conserving two prominent heritage buildings: the Kenny-Dennis Building (1863) and the Acadian Recorder (1900). The contemporary design revitalizes a prominent site, mitigates challenging site conditions, and reinstates the corner of Barrington and George as a significant commercial landmark.
Our approach to creating quality human-scale streets is reflected by maintaining the rhythm of the existing commercial buildings on Barrington street. The project is a holistic addition to the city that uses a simple, clear design language that provides a restrained backdrop for prominent heritage elements. The comprehensive development takes a minimalist approach in building massing and materiality, and reinterprets the site without interfering with its long standing character.
Status
Under Construction
Our Role
Architecture, Planning, Interpretive Planning
Client
Dexel Developments
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Historical District Context
At the threshold of a designated Heritage District, this mixed-use project stands as a reminder of the material qualities often found in these areas of the city.
Although simple in massing, the building design is focused on the hierarchy of scales within the basic geometries; smaller openings nested within larger geometric patterns, further defined by subtle material changes. These various scales create a sense of rhythm, human scale and order reminiscent of traditional buildings, while remaining contemporary in design.
The building firmly addresses the corner of the street by creating a well-defined window feature. The sandstone and granite blocks reflect the area’s past buildings
The building is well integrated in the urban context and adds density in a historically respectful manner.
Status
Completed 2016
Our Role
Architecture, planning
Type
Mixed Use
Client
Dexel Developments
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Healthy building design
A complex urban site that included registered heritage buildings along a heritage streetscape. The urban design strategy was to restore and setback from the heritage buildings while providing a mixed-use building design that capitalizes on the downtown location with density and a variety of building uses. Ground-floor retail is supported by a landscaped streetscape that provides amenities like benches, public art and plantings.
Through the study of the Halifax Citadel, a tower form was derived based on analysis of the citadel’s ravelins. Designed to maximize defensive view planes to the harbour, these ravelin forms are now used to increase natural daylighting, cross ventilation and southern views to the harbour.
Status
2016 - public engagement
Our Role
Architecture, landscape architecture, planning
Client
Dexel Developments
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Creating the Neighbourhood
Located on the corner of Pepperell St. and Robie St in Halifax this mixed-use building transitions from the large-scale building context of Quinpool Road into what are primarily single-family residential neighbourhoods to the south and west. The primary density is located in the northeastern corner of the site to allow for a southern exposure to the internal courtyard.
The building steps down to walk-up townhouse units along the two bordering residential streets to integrate and activate the neighbourhood streetscape.
The corner has a double-height commercial space to create a neighbourhood anchor and an interesting corner address to the building. The use of human-scaled materials, formal articulation, and strategic massing result in a building that reinforces and improves the neighbourhood's character.
Fathom was responsible for planning approval, architectural design, interior design, brand development, wayfinding and signage.
Status
Completed 2022
Our Role
Architecture, landscape architecture, planning, wayfinding
Client
Dexel Developments
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Building Type
Mixed-use
Awards
2024 - Atlantic Architectural Design Excellence Awards - Award of Merit
2023 - Halifax Urban Design Award - Award of Excellence for Urban Architecture