Ryerson University's planned 28-storey Church Street Development near Church and Dundas will mark another step in the university's ongoing expansion. With land prices remaining high year after year, Ryerson is expanding their campus vertically instead of horizontally in an effort to keep development costs manageable. Vertical expansion also allows Ryerson to grow organically into its densely clustered surroundings, which fosters sustainability while adding to the health of the adjacent blocks. The new facility, slated to open in 2018, will combine approximately 18,600 square metres of Academic, Student Life and Residence space under one roof, including the Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, the School of Nutrition, the School of Occupational & Public Health and the Midwifery Education Program from the Faculty of Community Services.

Ryerson Church Street Development, image courtesy of Ryerson University

Starting tomorrow evening, Ryerson University will be hosting an exhibition titled 'Public Space Rules' by the architects of the new development, Perkins + Will. It will use the format of a graphic novel to highlight the individuals, locations and events that have shaped the design of the Church Street Development. The exhibition aims to provide insight into the design process and the input of involved parties and stakeholders like University Administrators and representatives from the City.

Perkins+Will has moved one of their workstations to the site of the exhibit, the Paul H. Cocker Gallery in the Ryerson University Department of Architectural Science Building, giving students and visitors a taste of the hands-on design process.

Public Space Rules: Exploring Sustainable Hyper Density in the Church Street Development will run from March 19 to April 10 in the Paul H. Cocker Gallery at Ryerson University, 325 Church Street. The event kicks off tomorrow evening with a reception starting at 6:30 PM.