Northern District Branch Exterior Renovation

Roundabout · Feb 14, 2014

From the Toronto Library website: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/renovations/northern-district-renovation.jsp
"Toronto Public Library has prepared plans for the renovation of the surrounding exterior area starting in fall 2014 - to revitalize the Orchard View Boulevard and Helendale Avenue streetscapes, walkway, court yard and entrance ramp.

The renovation is expected to start in fall 2014."

Went to the open house last night, talked to the architect and the landscape designer; should be a big improvement to the area.

Architect: http://www.kenfukushima.com/index.php
Landscape design: http://scotttorrance.ca/

ehlow · Feb 14, 2014

What are the changes like? There doesn't seem to be much info on that site.

modernizt · Feb 14, 2014

When I spent a summer upgrading some courses and putting my portfolio together before applying to architecture, I spent lots of time in this library, so I have a bit of nostalgia attached to it. The renovated interior spaces are very nice and quite functional, so it's nice to see that they are going to upgrade the landscaping and outdoor realm. I always felt like the outside looked neglected by comparison.

With books being relegated to a very particular and somewhat limited status compared to in the past, we have an opportunity in libraries to create very strong community hubs with many vital public resources for their surrounding communities. The 3D printers coming to some branches, and the exhibitions, meeting rooms, seminars, gallery space (and even right now, big-screen Olympics viewing!) at the Reference Library are an example of the variety of community functions libraries can provide.

I <3 TPL!