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Nominees have been announced for Heritage Toronto's annual awards recognizing the people, places, and creations that celebrate the history of this city. Nominations are accepted in 3 categories: Books, Built Heritage, and Public History.
The Built Heritage category strives to recognize excellence in restoration and adaptation of existing structures through three awards: adaptive reuse, heritage planning and architecture, and crafts and trades. Here are this year's nominees.
Named after the circular opening in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome, the Oculus is a concrete pavilion in Etobicoke built in 1959 that represents the optimistic approach to civic projects and public space central to Space Age design. After decades of deterioration, Giaimo Architects took charge of the structure’s restoration and presided over the design of concrete benches to ensure the Oculus could once again become a welcoming and functional space.
A full scale adaptive reuse project was undertaken, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for MOD Developments and Woodcliffe Properties, to update and restore the 1933 Art-Deco Water Works Building located downtown, west of the Financial District. Notable changes include the addition of a YMCA below a new residential addition, and the full retention of the original machine shop which has been transitioned into a food hall, while other sections were refurbished without modification, like the clerestory windows.
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The goal of creating a new visitor welcome centre was achieved in February when the conservation-informed renovation was completed by Diamond Schmitt with ERA Architects at the Queen's Park Legislative Assembly building. An iconic Romanesque construction, the 1893 building was designed by Richard A. Waite, and welcomes thousands of visitors a year. Following the renovation it now has the facilities to continue doing so for years to come.
Toronto Club
For over a century, the Italianate Toronto Club in Old Town has been revered for its ornate detailing, but the combination of decades of use and continuous additions have not been kind to the structure. Significant restoration work from a team of craftspeople, engineers, and Spencer Higgins Architect was required to revitalize the Toronto Club, mainly in the stabilizing of the walls and cornice, and the restoration of lost details.
Following the completion of the restoration and revitalization of Massey Hall by GBCA Architects and KPMB Architects, one of Toronto’s most historic and beloved music venues has been effectively modernized for entertainment in the 21st century. Adhering to a detailed conservation strategy, the project included a full updating and recalibration of the acoustics, while ensuring defining heritage elements inside and outside were restored with respect to their original forms. The significant addition on the back hopes to guide the venue into the future with grace.
Toronto saw another adaptive reuse of a church gain positive feedback following the completion of the Sunday School Lofts project designed by Giaimo Architects for Grid Developments. Working with the nearly 100 year-old Temple Baptist Church located in East York just north of The Danforth, a 3-storey residential development of 32 units adapted the sanctuary and replaced the church’s Sunday School wing. The project focused on light intensification while restoring the fine craftwork elements like the stained glass windows and stone detailing.
The winners will be announced at the award ceremony, taking place at 44 Yonge Street on October 17th.
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