It is just shy of three years since we learned of the University of Toronto's plan to expand Robarts Library, the 14-storey brutalist monument that towers over the corner of St. George and Harbord Streets. Finally this past Friday we learned a fair bit more about the project from a Christopher Hume article in the Toronto Star. Our first view, below, is of a preliminary rendering - things will likely change - from Diamond + Schmitt Architects, who are designing the 5-storey annex to the west side of the building. 

Robarts Library Expansion by Diamond and Schmidt

Prior to adding the new student workspace in the annex, Diamond Schmitt principal Gary McCluskie has been heading up a team making many improvements to the existing building, retrofitting it with today's technology, simplifying the internal layout, and refreshing the interior spaces: much of the 1973-built structure was dark and confusing to make ones way through. Much more information is to come, but in the meantime more details about the changes made and those coming, can be discovered by reading the articles at the links above.