North York's Modernist Architecture - ERA Architects Inc.

Preface
North York’s Modernist Architecture was completed during my tenure as the Director of
Urban Urban Design for for the City of North York’s Planning Department, and was adopted by
North York York Council Council in July July 1997. 1997. The The inventory was was assembled to raise awareness and
reinforce the the significance of the the Modern Movement that has has profoundly influenced influenced
architecture and planning throughout the world, world, Canada Canada and North York.
North York’s Modernist Architecture is a compilation that gives recognition to projects
of the Modern Movement designed and built in North York between 1945 and 1981.
It It identified a total total of 200 structures and and sites and and classified 20 from this list list for being
the most most significant works.
North North York Council adopted the inventory with the request that it be included in the
Inventory of Heritage Properties. As well, it stipulated that the inventory be used by
staff in reviewing development applications in order to encourage preservation and
where where applicable sensitive alteration to Significant Modernist projects. Subsequently,
the inventory was used used by the Culture Culture Branch of the City of North York to incorporate
the Significant Modernist properties into the Inventory of Heritage Properties for the
City of of North York.
During the course of our work, we determined the projects and buildings to be
included in the inventory inventory through research into published material for renowned or
award award winning buildings, buildings, as well as site visits and recommendations by architectural
organizations organizations and property property owners. owners. As As well, well, a a number number of of architects architects and and architectural architectural
organizations organizations were were contacted contacted to obtain input and gather information.
The inventory inventory was conceived as a living document document that would would be updated and added
onto onto as additional buildings buildings and sites are are brought to the City’s City’s attention.
Rightfully, over the the past past couple of decades the the definition of heritage has has been steadily
expanding to include significant significant buildings and projects of the more recent past. In her her
article titled titled Recent Initiatives Involving Canada’s Modern Heritage in
The Association
for Preservation Technology Technology International Communiqué - Volume 29 Number 2 2000 –
architect Susan D. Bronson identified North York’s Modernist Architecture as one of the
most advanced in Canada for the recognition, commemoration and inventory work of
modern buildings at the local level.
I am proud to see that North York’s Modernist Architecture is gaining increased
recognition as a compilation that furthers the awareness of, and contributes to the body
of knowledge on, this very important time in architectural and planning history.
Moiz Behar
President, MBPD Inc.