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Despite the physical distance between the two offices, Alsops and RYWA were able
to successfully harmonize their respective strengths into a seamless and focused
operation. With Alsops leading the project as Design Architect and RYWA, assuming
the role as Architect-of-Record, managing the production of all drawings and
specifications from concept design through to construction documentation, the teams
operating from offices in London and Toronto were able to deliver the project
effectively within the demanding project schedule.
Consultation
Following the appointment to the project, Will Alsop instigated a series of client
workshops in which early concepts were developed with college staff and students.
During this time, conventional ideas of teaching, learning and architecture were
explored as the group sought to re-define their new college of art and design. The
participants of the workshops exchanged sketches and ideas to investigate what their
future college should be.
Among the many opinions put forward, similar themes emerged. The College needed
to engage with the public and provoke interest, provide meeting places inside and
out, improve circulation within the main building, find new ways to show student work,
provide rough/tough studio spaces where students from different disciplines could
engage and collaborate with each other create flexible spaces that can be reconfigured,
as required, engage with the park, engage with local residents, and raise
the Colleges profile globally and nationally.
Schematic Design
Two strong ideas that emerged from the workshops were a) a cluster of towers
raised up off the parking lot site and b) a large box or ‘table top’ that was elevated
above the existing school and neighbouring residential properties, allowing Grange
park to re-engage with McCaul Street. The two schemes were presented to the client
group, who came to the conclusion that the ‘table-top’ solution best addressed the
ideas raised in the workshops.
The local residents and the City of Toronto were also included during the early
stages of the design process. They were invited to a presentation of the table-top
scheme given by Will Alsop at the College, followed by a discussion session where
views were heard and ideas exchanged. This not only helped to develop the design
of the scheme but also gave the local residents a sense of inclusion in the design
process and ownership of the scheme.
The idea to elevate the new addition nine storeys above the street on slender legs
proved popular with neighbours, as their views across the street to the park beyond
could, by and large, be maintained. It also allowed the former parking lot to the south
of the existing building to be landscaped as an extension of the park, to be
programmed with outdoor art exhibitions and other events.
The table-top proposal was outside the early massing study and maximum height
envelopes developed for the site. However, by raising the scheme up beyond this
envelope, the City quickly realised the benefit for local people by bringing the park
through to McCaul Street, creating a quasi-public space below and maintaining the
majority of views enjoyed by neighbours opposite.
During schematic design, the table top developed into a long box on legs, parallel to
McCaul Street, stretching 163m from the north property line, all the way to the south
property line. It had a double skin façade to naturally cool and heat the building, with
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