It’s under consideration by U of T’s governance, and it could replace the former McLaughlin Planetarium, closed in 1995 <PHOTO ABOVE>, at 90 Queen’s Park.
The architects are Diller Scofidio + Renfro, who were behind New York City’s High Line & the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. New York-based, the firm is now working with TORONTO’s architectsAlliance, and heritage consultants ERA Architects.
The University’s president MERIC GERTLER is impressed by the design. “This stunning architectural landmark will provide an invaluable opportunity to create a meeting space for scholars, and the wider city around us,” he told U of T Magazine.
The project will be home to a wide-ranging number of academic units – the School of Cities, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, the Institute of Islamic Studies, the Anne Tanenbaum Centre for Jewish Studies and the Archaeology Centre. It will also provide facilities for the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Music.
Among the building’s showpieces is a recital hall, with a large window looking out on the Toronto skyline. Above the hall – there’ll be a 400-seat event space with similar skyline views. A café will be opened on the ground floor and the designers will include a multi-storey atrium leading up to the recital hall.
<Renderings by bloomimages, courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro>
For more details – https://www.utoronto.ca/news/new-u-t-building-create-cultural-and-intellectual-gateway-between-university-and-city
<Getting there – the UP Express connects downtown TORONTO with the airport. There’s a train every 25 minutes from Union Station, and vice versa from Terminal 1.>
<One of three Inuksuit outside the terminals>
<‘Skin of Flight’ by Dereck Revington, Domestic Departures, Terminal 3>
<‘As One’ by Jaume Plensal, International Baggage Hall, Terminal 1>
<Sculpture by Richard Serra, Terminal 1>
<Textiles by Tazeen Oayyum, 2013, Terminal 1>
<Consecutive Bands, Sol Lewitt, 2003, Terminal 1>
<Holding more than 18,000 litres of water, this massive tank filled with little cubes was designed by Germany’s INGO MAURER. It’s part of Pearson’s permanent collection.>
37-year-old MATT GREEN sets goals for himself. Traveling on his own two legs he walked across the United States from Rockaway Beach NY to Rockaway Beach, Oregon some years ago.
MATT GREEN is also a better-than-average photographer. He has an eye for New York’s idiosyncrasies, both its beauty and ugliness, curiosities and national landmarks.
“At its core, my walk is an oxymoron: an exhaustive journey through an inexhaustible city. Instead of seeing a million places for just a minute each, I’m going to spend a million minutes exploring just one place.” – MATT GREEN
“The World Before Your Feet” is about Matt Green and his walkathon in New York. It played recently in TORONTO at Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema, and may turn up elsewhere soon.
I came across Matt’s website in March, 2012. Since then he’s added a multitude of new photos, maps, and commentary. Join Matt’s walk (a work in progress) at 
GUY JONES is a videographer who brings history to life by editing old films and making them more watchable. He slows them down to a natural speed and adds sound – making each a totally new viewing experience.
<‘FROM THE CUSTOM HOUSE LOOKING EAST, MONTREAL‘, by WILLIAM NOTMAN, 1878>
ROSS WINTER’s photographs can be found in private collections in Toronto, Houston, Montgomery, Vancouver, New York City and Perth. He’s been exhibited at the Propeller Gallery, Art Square Gallery, The Chinese Canadian Cultural Centre, Lennox Contemporary, The Ontario Science Centre, The Artists Project, and the Love Art Fair. As well, he’s been a long-time contributor to ‘torontosavvy’.
<‘PENDULUM’, Hong Kong, 2013>
<‘HIDDEN FORBIDDEN’, Beijing, 2009>
<‘DRUMMER’, Austin, Texas>
<‘MARVILLE IN LONDON’, 2015>
<‘THREE VOIDS’, diptych, New York and Buffalo NY>