Tewder
Senior Member
It is unfortunate for Corus but thankfully they didn't entrust Diamond or Clewes or any 'local' starchitects of Toronto's design establishment with the ROM extension, or OCAD or the AGO or... Their rote boxy design templates would have left us wanting. Instead, these buildings challenge our preconceptions rather than pandering to them, boldly impressing themselves on our tame, polite spaces, and have clearly engaged the public like few others built in Toronto in recent years.
Although the Four Seasons Centre performs its function expertly it is undeniable that the public's expectations for a landmark were not met. If ever a stage was set for innovative design it was here on a drab stretch of University against a backdrop of boxy towers.
Not every building should be bold or innovative as has been said here a million times. It is important to understand the surrounding context so as to respect it when appropriate, but to break from it when so badly needed. Giving us endless reiterations of the same minutely reworked boxy, grey slabs whatever the function and whatever the context implies dogmatic thinking which is not helpful to our public spaces.
Although the Four Seasons Centre performs its function expertly it is undeniable that the public's expectations for a landmark were not met. If ever a stage was set for innovative design it was here on a drab stretch of University against a backdrop of boxy towers.
Not every building should be bold or innovative as has been said here a million times. It is important to understand the surrounding context so as to respect it when appropriate, but to break from it when so badly needed. Giving us endless reiterations of the same minutely reworked boxy, grey slabs whatever the function and whatever the context implies dogmatic thinking which is not helpful to our public spaces.
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