Toronto U of T: Robarts Library Renovations & Robarts Common | ?m | ?s | U of T | Diamond Schmitt

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Yet another stain on Diamond Schmitts reputation.

The said thing is it didn't have to be this way - considering what they did over at the National Arts Centre.

National Arts Centre Rejuvenation | Diamond Schmitt

The rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre creates an open and transparent facility, revealing the creative activity within.

dsai.ca

AoD

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

...on the other hand, it does look and feel like it was done on a budget. The green glass is telling.

So the moral of this story is that no matter how fanciful the design it is, it still won't look that hot when the materials are valued engineered. Thumbs down for me on this one.

 

[Johnny Au]

More photos on February 20, 2022:

This time across the courtyard with the sakura trees

 

[AlbertC]

From U of T Provost on IG:

Cheryl Regehr on Instagram: "A sneak preview of new student space at Robarts at #uoft. Opening soon! #uoftlibraries"

87 likes, 6 comments - uoftprovost on March 14, 2022: "A sneak preview of new student space at Robarts at #uoft. Opening soon! #uoftlibraries"

www.instagram.com

 

[flonicky]

With this and Manulife, Brutalism in this city can't catch a break.

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

With this and Manulife, Brutalism in this city can't catch a break.

You know if they used board formed techniques on the back as opposed to that cheap looking pre-fab crap they've got there now and higher quality glass that isn't value engineered green, I suspect very few of us would be complaining about this.

 

[Johnny Au]

March 17, 2022:

 

[Student99]

This is apparently open now. Students are using the space to study for finals.

 

[Northern Light]

The Robarts Expansion/Commons is indeed open as reflected by a piece in the Globe and Mail by Marcus Gee:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-university-toronto-fort-book-robarts-library/ (paywalled at time of posting)

I won't link any text or most of the pics ...............but this one caught my eye:

Credit: Galit Rodan/The Globe and Mail

 

[AlbertC]

 

[AlbertC]

From DSAI's website:

Robarts Common | Diamond Schmitt

Robarts Common reinvents the function of an academic library for the 21st Century by focussing on gathering and study environments.

dsai.ca

 

[ADRM]

Yeah this is just not good.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I see they have went quasi-mid-century with those chairs at least...

AoD

 

[junctionist]

I see they have went quasi-mid-century with those chairs at least...

AoD

That style was already dated when Robarts was built.

 

[AlbertC]

Azure with a piece on the new Robarts addition:

Robarts Common Provides a Clear Contrast to Concrete Brutalism

Diamond Schmitt expand the University of Toronto’s main library with an angular glazed addition.

www.azuremagazine.com