Landmark Committee / en Winning team picked to transform downtown University of Toronto campus /news/winning-team-picked-transform-downtown-university-toronto-campus <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Winning team picked to transform downtown University of Toronto campus</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-12-09T04:58:25-05:00" title="Wednesday, December 9, 2015 - 04:58" class="datetime">Wed, 12/09/2015 - 04:58</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Artist's rendering shows seating for students, tourists on a car-free front campus</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/arthur-kaptainis" hreflang="en">Arthur Kaptainis</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Arthur Kaptainis</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landscape-landmark-quality-innovative-design-competition" hreflang="en">Landscape of Landmark Quality Innovative Design Competition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landscape-landmark-quality" hreflang="en">Landscape of Landmark Quality</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark-committee" hreflang="en">Landmark Committee</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark" hreflang="en">Landmark</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/campus" hreflang="en">Campus</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">It's “one of the crucial landscapes of the country,” Donald Ainslie says. “You’re not trying to reinvent it. You’re trying to make it live up to its history.”</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>After months of study and public engagement, the Landscape of Landmark Quality competition has selected a consortium of KPMB Architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA) and Urban Strategies to restore and beautify the central spaces of the University of Toronto’s historic St. George campus.&nbsp;</p> <p>“This was a difficult decision owing to the great imagination shown by the entrants,” says <strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, Թϱ’s vice-president of operations and co-chair of the Landmark Committee overseeing the competition. “The quality of the submissions has redoubled our conviction that this project is entirely worthy of the time and resources it will entail.”</p> <p>The winning proposal, which envisions a carfree necklace of paths around King’s College Circle, a stately column of oak trees along Tower Road&nbsp;and granite surfaces in place of asphalt and concrete, is a point of departure, not a final blueprint. Wide consultation is both inevitable and desirable.</p> <p>The university received more than 600 responses after the initial presentation of the four shortlisted proposals in Convocation Hall in September.&nbsp;</p> <p>“The goal of this should be to make the campus even more beautiful while being respectful to the historical elements and being practical,” wrote one commenter.</p> <p>Another said:&nbsp;“The principles of promoting pedestrianism, cycling, green space, natural features and community spaces are wonderful and will find wide support.”</p> <p><img alt="artist's rendering of front campus, southwest corner, showing no cars" src="/sites/default/files/2015-12-07-Front-Campus-Southwest-Corner-embed.jpg" style="width: 625px; height: 384px; margin: 10px 30px;"></p> <p>“In a university environment, one expects dialogue and exchange to characterize a process like this,” says&nbsp;Michael Van Valkenburgh, president and CEO of MVVA. “We expect feedback, we welcome it and we enjoy it.”&nbsp;</p> <p>The schedule requires the winning team to submit a plan in September 2016 that includes design details, an outline of engineering needs and estimates of the duration and cost of the project.&nbsp;</p> <p>KPMB, MVVA and Urban Strategies got the nod in part for their respectful approach to renewing one of Toronto’s most historic neighbourhoods.</p> <p>“Their approach was: ‘Look, you’ve got some great stuff already,’” says <strong>Donald Ainslie</strong>, principal of University College, co-chair of the Landmark Committee and a member of the evaluation panel. “That was the indication that they knew what the university and community were looking for.”</p> <p>The firms have worked with universities before. Princeton has hired Toronto-based Urban Strategies to lead its campus planning effort. KPMB and MVVA are part of this team. MVVA, a landscape architecture firm with offices in New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts, was in charge of the restoration of Harvard Yard, which received a 1994 Honor Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from the U.S. National Trust.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Harvard Yard was in some ways a similar kind of project,” Ainslie says. “You’re taking one of the crucial landscapes of the country. And you’re not trying to reinvent it. You’re trying to make it live up to its history.”</p> <p>This&nbsp;iconic part of the downtown Toronto&nbsp;campus holds important memories for many alumni,&nbsp;says <strong>David Palmer</strong>,&nbsp;vice-president, advancement.</p> <p>“University of Toronto alumni have a long history of supporting projects that elevate our campus and our city,” Palmer says.&nbsp;“This is particularly true in the heart of the St. George campus where it was alumni support that made Convocation Hall possible, more than a century ago. &nbsp;The plans for revitalization create an opportunity for a new generation of alumni to be involved in helping to make it happen.”&nbsp;</p> <p>One touch that might be considered both historical and contemporary is the end of parking and traffic on King’s College Circle, except for service vehicles and to provide access for people with disabilities.</p> <p>“This was a premise of the competition, but the benefits are very clear to us,” says alumnus&nbsp;<strong>Bruce Kuwabara</strong>, a founding partner of KPMB. “You realize the beauty of that space when there are no cars there.”</p> <p><img alt="artist's aerial rendering of front campus in spring, with no cars" src="/sites/default/files/2015-12-07-Front-Campus-Aerial-embed.jpg" style="width: 625px; height: 397px; margin: 10px 30px;"></p> <p>Car parking does not disappear but goes underground: Թϱ is required by city bylaw to provide parking spaces to avoid over taxing surrounding neighbourhoods.</p> <p>KPMB/MVVA/Urban Strategies seeks to make a virtue of this necessity by proposing modern glass entry pavilions beside the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House and in front of the Medical Sciences Building, the latter possibly with an indoor-outdoor café.&nbsp;</p> <p>Stone surfaces are central to the proposal. “There’s a timelessness to using stone as paving,” says Van Valkenburgh. “It’s a beautiful material that is going to last much longer than asphalt.”</p> <p>Granite has other virtues: Gradations in tone and texture provide cues to cyclists and pedestrians to interact safely, while interlocking walkways around the circle encourage natural interaction with the famous green pasture at the centre.</p> <p>The proposal foresees oak trees along Tower Road leading from Hoskin Ave. to &nbsp;Hart House, Soldiers’ Tower and University College.</p> <p><img alt="artist's rendering of improved Tower Road" src="/sites/default/files/2015-12-07-tower-road-embed.jpg" style="width: 625px; height: 398px; margin: 10px 30px;"></p> <p>“A renewed Tower Road will no longer feel like a back alley, but will be a real campus entrance that highlights the university’s important cultural resources,” Ainslie comments.</p> <p>Some elements from the rival proposals (by Janet Rosenberg &amp; Studio + ArchitectsAlliance, DTAH + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and Public Work + Greenberg Consultants) attracted much interest. One was the reintroduction of water to Hart House Circle, where McCaul’s Pond once stood.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Lots of people were captivated by that idea,” Ainslie says. “But others wondered whether it would actually work with issues around geese, insects and risk management.”&nbsp;</p> <p>Another proposal with curb appeal was a winter recreational feature, such as a skating rink. Whether and how this can be implemented remains to be seen. Also under discussion is the repurposing of the Louis B. Stewart Observatory, &nbsp;a building from the 1850s moved to its present location in Hart House Circle in 1908.</p> <p><img alt="artist's rendering of winter scene including snowball fight on front campus" src="/sites/default/files/2015-12-07-Winter-embed.jpg" style="width: 625px; height: 469px; margin: 10px 30px;">&nbsp;</p> <p>“If there is one thing this process has taught us all,” Mabury says, “it is how deeply students, faculty, alumni and staff love the landscape of this university and how strongly they feel about its future. We encourage all members of our community to offer their support and to get in involved in this exciting project.”</p> <p>To find out more about how to support this project, please go to: <a href="http://landmark.utoronto.ca/contact">http://landmark.utoronto.ca/contact</a></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-12-07-campus-south-side.jpg</div> </div> Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:58:25 +0000 sgupta 7506 at How would you like to see Թϱ's downtown campus transformed? /news/how-would-you-see-u-ts-downtown-campus-transformed <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">How would you like to see Թϱ's downtown campus transformed?</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-09-29T07:51:34-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 29, 2015 - 07:51" class="datetime">Tue, 09/29/2015 - 07:51</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item"> Թϱ wants to know which of four design proposals you think would create the most pedestrian-friendly and welcoming environment (photo by Johnny Guatto)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/arthur-kaptainis" hreflang="en">Arthur Kaptainis</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Arthur Kaptainis</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/more-news" hreflang="en">More News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george-campus" hreflang="en">St. George campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landscape-landmark-quality-innovative-design-competition" hreflang="en">Landscape of Landmark Quality Innovative Design Competition</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark-committee" hreflang="en">Landmark Committee</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/community" hreflang="en">Community</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/campus-life" hreflang="en">Campus Life</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">All are invited to view presentations, submit feedback to online survey</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Which proposal best addresses the principle of improved pedestrian experience? Which best addresses the principle of enhanced green space?</p> <p>You can have your say on these and other central questions raised by the Landscape of Landmark Quality Innovative Design Competition.</p> <p>Four teams have submitted their ideas on how to revive and restore the historic core of the St. George campus. You can <a href="http://landmark.utoronto.ca/design-competition/all-entries/">view the images online</a>&nbsp;or in a poster display on the main floor of the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House at 21 King's College Circle.</p> <h2><a href="http://landmark.utoronto.ca/design-competition/all-entries/">View the four design teams'&nbsp;proposals here</a></h2> <p>The exhibition opened&nbsp;on Sept. 29 and continues through Oct. 2. Opening hours are from 8:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Computer terminals will be available so viewers can provide immediate comment on the project.</p> <p>“We want your help, your advice,&nbsp; in selecting the proposal that will change the physical landscape of the University,” <strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, Թϱ vice-president of operations and co-chair of the Landmark Committee, said after a public presentation by all four competing teams Monday night in Convocation Hall. “Please give us your feedback.”</p> <p>The Landmark website includes descriptions, goals, an historic overview and documentation related to the project, including the Open Space Master Plan of 1999 and St. George Campus Master Plan of 2011.</p> <p>There is also information about the four teams: KPMB Architects + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates + Urban Strategies; DTAH + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; Public Work;&nbsp;and Janet Rosenberg &amp; Studio + architectsAlliance + ERA Architects. Each has a list of subcontractors and collaborators.</p> <p>The online survey combines multiple choice questions with space for individual comment.</p> <h2><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14kWuF7NRyVyaZ4Z8UWPdDgZNbgz2MYskajZTMQqlPtM/viewform">Take the Online Survey here</a></h2> <p>After public input has been collected and considered, an evaluation committee including representatives of the Landmark Committee and university operations will choose a winner. This team will consult with the university to prepare a comprehensive design. An announcement is expected in November. (<a href="http://news.utoronto.ca/plans-st-george-campus-get-public-viewing">Read more about the competition here</a>.)</p> <p>Before and after images submitted by the four design teams include:</p> <h3>BEFORE: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)</h3> <p><img alt="photo of a &quot;before&quot; image of Sir Dan's Quad at University College" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-DTAH_Before.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 409px;"></p> <h3>After: Sir Daniel Wilson Quad at University College (DTAH)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;After&quot; photo of Sir Daniel Wilson quad" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-DTAH_After.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 409px;"></p> <h3>BEFORE: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;Before&quot; photo of King's College Circle looking north" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-PublicWorks_Before.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 404px;"></p> <h3>AFTER: King's College Circle looking north (Public Work)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;After&quot; image of King's College Circle looking north" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-PublicWorks_After.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 404px;"></p> <h3>BEFORE: King's College Circle, west side (KPMB)</h3> <h3><img alt="&quot;before&quot; photo of King's College Circle near Con Hall" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-KPMB_Before.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 404px;"></h3> <h3>AFTER; King's College Circle west side (KPMB)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;After&quot; image of KPMB's design for west side of King's College Circle" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-KPMB_After.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 404px;"></p> <h3>BEFORE: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg &amp; Studio)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;Before&quot; photo of " src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-JRS_Before.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 267px;"></p> <h3>AFTER: King's College Circle looking northeast (Janet Rosenberg &amp; Studio)</h3> <p><img alt="&quot;After&quot;image by JRS" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-29-JRS_After.jpg" style="margin: 10px 25px; width: 625px; height: 271px;"></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-09-29-leadImage-.jpg</div> </div> Tue, 29 Sep 2015 11:51:34 +0000 sgupta 7305 at Plans for St. George campus get public viewing /news/plans-st-george-campus-get-public-viewing <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Plans for St. George campus get public viewing</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-09-28T16:50:46-04:00" title="Monday, September 28, 2015 - 16:50" class="datetime">Mon, 09/28/2015 - 16:50</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Four design teams unveiled proposals for transforming Թϱ's downtown campus. The rendering above is by MVVA/KPMB media</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/arthur-kaptainis" hreflang="en">Arthur Kaptainis</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Arthur Kaptainis</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george-campus" hreflang="en">St. George campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landscape-landmark-quality" hreflang="en">Landscape of Landmark Quality</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark-committee" hreflang="en">Landmark Committee</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">Pedestrian-friendly ideas proliferate as four teams weigh in</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A pastoral pond in front of Hart House. An elevated walkway to Queen’s Park Crescent. Public art around King’s College Circle. A skating rink outside the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House.</p> <p>These are only a few of the improvements envisioned by the four design teams shortlisted in the Landscape of Landmark Quality process aimed at renewing and restoring the historic core of the St. George campus.</p> <p>The general public as well as Թϱ students, faculty, staff, alumni and stakeholders were invited to a presentation of the plans Monday at Convocation Hall. The event started&nbsp;at 6 p.m. and ran&nbsp;to 9 p.m.</p> <p>The exhibition now moves to the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House at 21 King's College Circle, where entries&nbsp;will be on display just inside the entrance. Computer terminals will be available so viewers can provide feedback on the project.</p> <p>The exhibition opens at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 29 and will be open from 8:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.</p> <p>“I am immensely impressed by the flair and creativity shown by these finalists,” said <strong>Scott Mabury</strong>, Թϱ vice-president of operations and co-chair of the Landmark Committee overseeing the competition.&nbsp; “The intrinsic beauty and historic character of the St. George campus have obviously fired their imagination.</p> <p>“What I find equally exciting is the collaborative process ahead. We have put the call out for feedback. Given the quality of these submissions – and the strong feelings Թϱ people share about the university they love – I have no doubt that there will be plenty.”</p> <p><img alt="rendering of front campus" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-front-campus-designs-2_media.jpg" style="width: 659px; height: 373px; margin: 10px;"><em>(Rendering by JRS Media)</em></p> <p>Ideas range from the necessary and pragmatic to the aesthetic and inspirational. In many cases there is a combination of these qualities.</p> <p>All the plans propose underground parking in keeping with the common object of eliminating surface parking around King’s College Circle. One proposal, by Public Work + Greenberg Consultants, sees an elevated lip (called The Arc) at the southeast quadrant of King’s College Circle with flowering cherry trees on the crest and athletic faciliites (as well as sheltered bicycle and car parking) underneath. DTAH + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates propose an “arrival grove” that will connect underground parking to the surface with both steps and a sloping accessible path rather than elevators.</p> <p>Public Work and Janet Rosenberg &amp; Studio + ArchitectsAlliance propose making a geometrically perfect circle of King’s College Circle (which at present is more amoeba-like than many suppose). DTAH and KPMB Architects also round off the corners in the interests of introducing amenities to the perimeter of this central green space. KPMB suggests an "urban necklace" of pathways around the perimeter.</p> <p><img alt="Rendering of front campus" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-front-campus-designs-3_media.jpg" style="width: 661px; height: 420px; margin: 10px;"><em>(Rendering by DTAH Media)</em></p> <p>“The clarity and elegance of William George Storm’s 1857 front campus has been compromised over the years by hundreds of small, well-intentioned accommodations,” notes the DTAH brief. “We propose re-establishing the clarity of the circle as a clearing in a more richly planted and expanded landscape frame.”</p> <p>Three plans imagine a plaza in front of Convocation Hall. KPMB proposes multi-coloured granite surface ("expensive to install, but incredibly enduring") in place of asphalt (the dotted blue surface installed in front of Convocation plaza in August is temporary).</p> <p>An emphasis&nbsp;on the pedestrian experience is common to all the proposals. Among the locations considered for cafés is a terrace outside the Gerstein Science Information Centre. DTAH sees the Observatory as a tea room and proposes a new study pavilion and terrace outside Hart House.</p> <p>Rosenberg, DTAH and Public Work&nbsp;suggest installing a pool or pond in Hart House Circle, either to the east or west of the Observatory. These plans recall McCaul's Pond, a body of water predating Hart House.</p> <p>There is no water in the KPMB plan, but there are columns of oaks along Tower Drive and its extension south of Soldiers’ Tower, as well as a dramatic pedestrian bridge in front of Hart House leading to Queen’s Park Crescent. Public Work also envisions an&nbsp;elevated walkway in this space.</p> <p><img alt="Rendering of front campus" src="/sites/default/files/2015-09-25-front-campus-designs-4_media.jpg" style="width: 700px; height: 223px; margin: 10px;"><em>(Rendering by Public Work Media)</em></p> <p>DTAH suggests a new pavilion in the vacant space to the south of Prichard House and multi-use plaza in front of this stone building that could accommodate ice skating. Rosenberg proposes a “halo” around King’s College Circle that serves as a jogging track or ice-skating path according to season. All the plans restore the Sir Daniel Wilson Quad and all foresee more rather than fewer trees on the St. George campus.</p> <p>Aesthetics have been integrated with the need for pedestrian, bicycle and limited vehicular traffic. All the plans address accessibility. “Gradations in tone and texture provide cues to bikers and pedestrians to interact safely without redundant circulation systems,” comments the brief from KPMB on the subject of the granite surface.</p> <p>While some plans include glass pavilions and other modern structures, they all share a sense of tradition. "How can we make Թϱ more like Թϱ?" is how Janet Rosenberg expressed her sense of the mission. One of the most radical proposals, The Arc, is surmounted with the University of Toronto motto, Velut Arbor Aevo.</p> <p>“Toronto is a winter city” remarked one questioner in a Q &amp; A session following the presentations. Responses ranged from the positive effects of improve drainage and the potential views from "extroverted" pavilions to the simple observation that Torontonians could do a better job of celebrating winter.</p> <p>Another questioner expressed concern over the cost and disruption of installing conventional parking&nbsp;under King’s College Circle. “We have to decide whether it is worth the disruption to achieve a pedestrianized campus,” University College Principal <strong>Donald Ainslie</strong>, co-chair of the Landmark Committee with Mabury, concluded after various team members made comments. Other questioners focused on the effect of an elevated walkway on views from the ground, the propriety of installing athletic facilities at the centre of the campus and the need for strong basic landscaping support.</p> <p>A forum for feedback is available at landmark.utoronto.ca. After public input has been collected and considered, an evaluation committee including representatives of the Landmark Committee and university operations will choose a winner. This team will consult with the university to prepare a comprehensive design. An announcement is expected in November.</p> <p>About 400 attended the Monday event. The plans will be posted at Convocation Hall on Monday night and for the remainder of the week at the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House at 21 King's College Circle. For more information go to <a href="http://landmark.utoronto.ca">landmark.utoronto.ca</a>.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-09-25-front-campus-designs-MVVA_KPMB_media_0.jpg</div> </div> Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:50:46 +0000 sgupta 7301 at Competition looks into St. George campus renewal /news/competition-looks-st-george-campus-renewal <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Competition looks into St. George campus renewal</span> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>sgupta</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2015-09-21T11:02:00-04:00" title="Monday, September 21, 2015 - 11:02" class="datetime">Mon, 09/21/2015 - 11:02</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Arthur Kwiatkowski)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/arthur-kaptainis" hreflang="en">Arthur Kaptainis</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Arthur Kaptainis</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/top-stories" hreflang="en">Top Stories</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/university-toronto" hreflang="en">University of Toronto</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george-campus" hreflang="en">St. George campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/landmark-committee" hreflang="en">Landmark Committee</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">All invited to unveiling in Convocation Hall</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The historic core of the University of Toronto will be changing – while it stays the same.</p> <p>Four architect-led teams are set to unveil their strategic plans on renewing and restoring the heart of the St. George campus in a special gathering on Sept. 28 in Convocation Hall.</p> <p>The general public as well as Թϱ students, faculty, staff, alumni and stakeholders are invited to the event, which starts at 6 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m. No registration is required.</p> <p>A question and answer session follows the presentation. An exhibition will also be on view at the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House at 21 King’s College Circle during the remainder of the week.</p> <p>Consultation is an essential element of the project.</p> <p>“We need to make our central campus open spaces work for the 21st-century Թϱ community,” said Professor <strong>Donald Ainslie</strong>, principal of University College and co-chair of the Landmark Committee overseeing the competition. “This means we need to hear from you.”</p> <p>The request for qualifications issued by the Landmark Committee stresses the need for a balance of functionality and preservation. Improving the pedestrian experience is the first of eight priorities the potential bidders are instructed to keep in mind.</p> <p>Others are: enhancing green space; creating animated public areas; supporting events with appropriate infrastructure; eliminating surface parking from King’s College Circle, Hart House Circle and Tower Road; limiting traffic on these roads; creating gateways and signage to improve pedestrian navigation; and allowing for discreet operation of delivery, removal and other necessary services.</p> <p>Addressing accessibility is a crucial element. A pedestrian plaza outside Convocation Hall and an event space in front of the Alumni house are mentioned as desirable improvements. Matters as pragmatic as bicycle parking and as visionary as the placement and maintenance of public art fall under the aegis of the project.</p> <p>Nevertheless, reconciling open spaces with a burgeoning campus population remains the main challenge, as the first weeks of classes make clear.</p> <p>“Students have arrived en masse and everywhere you turn you see another demonstration of the importance of our central green spaces,” Ainslie said.</p> <p>“Students have been playing pick-up Frisbee or softball on the front campus. Booths from campus groups lined Hart House Circle for the UTSU Clubs Fair during Orientation.</p> <p>“Nice weather has meant that the Sir Daniel Wilson quad is a favourite spot for hanging out into the wee hours. The back-campus fields have been filled with team practices and intramural games.</p> <p>“At the same time, students going to classes are crowded onto narrow sidewalks and have to take extra care to avoid cars and bicycles, leaving them unlikely to notice the important historical buildings that surround them and the messages they symbolize.”</p> <p>After public feedback has been collected and considered, an evaluation committee including representatives of the Landmark Committee and university operations will choose a winning team, which will consult with the University to prepare a comprehensive design.</p> <p><strong>Sco<strong>tt </strong>Mabury</strong>, vice-president of university operations, is co-chair of the Landmark Committee. An announcement is expected in November.</p> <p>For more information on this project go to <a href="http://landmark.utoronto.ca">landmark.utoronto.ca.&nbsp;</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-picpath field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">picpath</div> <div class="field__item">sites/default/files/2015-09-21-landmark-con-hall.jpg</div> </div> Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:02:00 +0000 sgupta 7293 at