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AlvinofDiaspar
Guest
From the Star, by Hume:
Yonge-Dundas Square finally hip
Aug. 7, 2006. 07:48 AM
CHRISTOPHER HUME
The hotter Toronto gets, the cooler Yonge-Dundas Square becomes.
Though in the beginning it was much maligned, the city's newest civic space is now one of its most popular. We have stopped worrying about what it isn't — a park — and learned to appreciate it for what it is — an urban square.
During the recent heat wave, the square was among the busiest places in Toronto. Its 20 fountains made sure of that.
The waterworks, which extend in two lines of 10 along the south end of the square, are a huge draw. In their own very subtle way, they have changed the way Torontonians relate to the public realm. Traditionally, the attitude has been look, but don't touch. As the sign in the Toronto Sculpture Garden used to say, Please don't interact with the art. Indeed!
Fountains have historically been viewed in a similar manner; intended more as a visual treat than a creature comfort. We are not encouraged to climb into the water or cool off under the jets. At best, passersby are invited to sit on the ledge, feel the spray and maybe eat lunch.
But the ground-level fountains at Yonge-Dundas represent a whole new approach. They are designed to be used, that is, to be walked through, around, past, to be stood on top of, beside, or just to be stared at. Even that can be unexpectedly engaging as the flow changes, rising and falling according to some unknown pattern. Deceptively simple but thoroughly brilliant, these fountains enable people to interact with the civic infrastructure, not just wander through it.
"The fountains were meant to be a big part of the experience of the square," explains Kim Storey, of Brown + Storey Architects, who designed the facility. "They attract all ages, not just kids. The idea is that the surface forms a complete entity with fountains and lights and that it's a place where almost anything can happen. The fountains can be turned off so the whole surface can be used."
It also helps enormously that the Metropolis complex directly north is finally taking shape, six years behind schedule. This building fills in the last empty side of the square, which is defined largely by the structures that surround it. Yonge-Dundas isn't just another building forecourt, but a distinct element of the urban landscape, an extension of the city itself.
Perhaps it isn't surprising that it has taken a few years for Torontonians to warm to the square, which opened officially in May 2003. It's hard-surfaced yet soft-edged, a place to spend an afternoon or attend a concert. The international AIDS conference that will be held here later this month has booked the square for a number of events. It has also been the site of peace marches and corporate launches.
It has become part of life in Toronto. At this time of year, when the media flood us with images of sweaty people avoiding the heat in its water jets, one is reminded that it has already established itself as a city icon.
As Toronto grows ever denser and more people move downtown, Yonge-Dundas has also become a communal living room. This is underlined by the chairs, tables and umbrellas spread around the square.
Despite the contemporary obsession with architecture, what makes a city successful is as much the space between buildings as the buildings themselves. In Toronto, where the quality of design has not always been the highest, a Yonge-Dundas Square offers some compensation for the lack of beauty.
Certainly, it has already played an important role in revitalizing the intersection, the busiest and arguably the most important in Toronto. That was the intention of city council when it voted to expropriate the property back in the late '90s. The corner of Yonge and Dundas had fallen into a downward spiral and municipal politicians were desperate to turn that around. That has been accomplished, although the east side of Yonge south of Dundas still needs work.
One can't help but wonder whether the amalgamated city, where council is too big and councillors too small, would be able to make such a dramatic move. Unlikely.
AoD
Yonge-Dundas Square finally hip
Aug. 7, 2006. 07:48 AM
CHRISTOPHER HUME
The hotter Toronto gets, the cooler Yonge-Dundas Square becomes.
Though in the beginning it was much maligned, the city's newest civic space is now one of its most popular. We have stopped worrying about what it isn't — a park — and learned to appreciate it for what it is — an urban square.
During the recent heat wave, the square was among the busiest places in Toronto. Its 20 fountains made sure of that.
The waterworks, which extend in two lines of 10 along the south end of the square, are a huge draw. In their own very subtle way, they have changed the way Torontonians relate to the public realm. Traditionally, the attitude has been look, but don't touch. As the sign in the Toronto Sculpture Garden used to say, Please don't interact with the art. Indeed!
Fountains have historically been viewed in a similar manner; intended more as a visual treat than a creature comfort. We are not encouraged to climb into the water or cool off under the jets. At best, passersby are invited to sit on the ledge, feel the spray and maybe eat lunch.
But the ground-level fountains at Yonge-Dundas represent a whole new approach. They are designed to be used, that is, to be walked through, around, past, to be stood on top of, beside, or just to be stared at. Even that can be unexpectedly engaging as the flow changes, rising and falling according to some unknown pattern. Deceptively simple but thoroughly brilliant, these fountains enable people to interact with the civic infrastructure, not just wander through it.
"The fountains were meant to be a big part of the experience of the square," explains Kim Storey, of Brown + Storey Architects, who designed the facility. "They attract all ages, not just kids. The idea is that the surface forms a complete entity with fountains and lights and that it's a place where almost anything can happen. The fountains can be turned off so the whole surface can be used."
It also helps enormously that the Metropolis complex directly north is finally taking shape, six years behind schedule. This building fills in the last empty side of the square, which is defined largely by the structures that surround it. Yonge-Dundas isn't just another building forecourt, but a distinct element of the urban landscape, an extension of the city itself.
Perhaps it isn't surprising that it has taken a few years for Torontonians to warm to the square, which opened officially in May 2003. It's hard-surfaced yet soft-edged, a place to spend an afternoon or attend a concert. The international AIDS conference that will be held here later this month has booked the square for a number of events. It has also been the site of peace marches and corporate launches.
It has become part of life in Toronto. At this time of year, when the media flood us with images of sweaty people avoiding the heat in its water jets, one is reminded that it has already established itself as a city icon.
As Toronto grows ever denser and more people move downtown, Yonge-Dundas has also become a communal living room. This is underlined by the chairs, tables and umbrellas spread around the square.
Despite the contemporary obsession with architecture, what makes a city successful is as much the space between buildings as the buildings themselves. In Toronto, where the quality of design has not always been the highest, a Yonge-Dundas Square offers some compensation for the lack of beauty.
Certainly, it has already played an important role in revitalizing the intersection, the busiest and arguably the most important in Toronto. That was the intention of city council when it voted to expropriate the property back in the late '90s. The corner of Yonge and Dundas had fallen into a downward spiral and municipal politicians were desperate to turn that around. That has been accomplished, although the east side of Yonge south of Dundas still needs work.
One can't help but wonder whether the amalgamated city, where council is too big and councillors too small, would be able to make such a dramatic move. Unlikely.
AoD