Toronto Royal Ontario Museum | Daniel Libeskind + HPA

[old boy]

If they have to cut something, I’m underwhelmed by the lily pad stairway. Feels like it doesn’t belong and is poorly executed even in the renderings.

Vertical circulation is a problem but one that can be solved with better finishings in the existing stairwell. They spinned a fire stairway into “The Stair of Wonders” and left it with shuttered heavy fire doors and horrendously bad finishings (already scratched on opening day). Have the doors auto close during a fire alarm but remain open otherwise and completely refinish the stairway and walls, use lighting and sounds and exhibits to make it interesting to go up and down in.

Making a sparkling , crystal- themed museum was always going to be a challenge for actual human engagement. As the project crystalized into being it became more and more apparent that the concept as unfolding in real time was going to disappoint a lot of people. However, I was delighted to hear that a new and engaging front entrance was being considered to replace a backdoor mall-inspired architect throwaway. This is a great museum not a bargain shop.

 

[interchange42]

If they have to cut something, I’m underwhelmed by the lily pad stairway. Feels like it doesn’t belong and is poorly executed even in the renderings.

Vertical circulation is a problem but one that can be solved with better finishings in the existing stairwell. They spinned a fire stairway into “The Stair of Wonders” and left it with shuttered heavy fire doors and horrendously bad finishings (already scratched on opening day). Have the doors auto close during a fire alarm but remain open otherwise and completely refinish the stairway and walls, use lighting and sounds and exhibits to make it interesting to go up and down in.

I completely agree that the Stair of Wonders needs an overhaul of its doors (yes let's hold them open, to be shut automatically if there's a fire), while also glassing in the stairwell to the halls, and replace the doors themselves. Yup, upgrade finishes, plus double the number of wonders on display!

Not sure about the lily pad staircase. We haven't seen a particularly detailed design for it yet, I'm okay with the concept but what's there now doesn't wow nor inspire, not yet.

42

 

[3Dementia]

Still need a budget to secure a cladding supplier who actually know how to supply matching exterior aluminum panels... as hundreds of buildings will atest... it ain't rocket science.

 

[junctionist]

Still need a budget to secure a cladding supplier who actually know how to supply matching exterior aluminum panels... as hundreds of buildings will atest... it ain't rocket science.

They need to find a donor for new cladding before the AI stock bubble bursts.

 

[nightstreak]

I completely agree that the Stair of Wonders needs an overhaul of its doors (yes let's hold them open, to be shut automatically if there's a fire), while also glassing in the stairwell to the halls, and replace the doors themselves. Yup, upgrade finishes, plus double the number of wonders on display!

Not sure about the lily pad staircase. We haven't seen a particularly detailed design for it yet, I'm okay with the concept but what's there now doesn't wow nor inspire, not yet.

42

This lily pad staircase does a disservice to the Hyacinth Gloria Chen Crystal Court (what a mouthful!) and covers the views into the second floor gallery which can be a hero display feature, drawing people up to those upper levels like the pterodactyl is to the dino gallery.

Scuttle the staircase and refocus on the Stair of Wonders. A lot can be done with this. Those walls can have more vitrines with more "wonders" or they can be backlit frosted glass to illuminate the space.

Photo: Shawnmoretone.com

I think one of the main problems with this space is that it feels like a fire escape with opaque heavy doors that are always shut. There are glass fire rated doors but the ones they installed already do have magnets for holding them open so they wouldn't need to be glass. I recall seeing them held open some of the times I went then for some reason they stopped doing that in recent years.

 

[Richard White]

I think one of the main problems with this space is that it feels like a fire escape with opaque heavy doors that are always shut.

I also get that vibe from the stair of wonders.

The white drywall and black tiled steps remind me of the emergency exit in movie theatres

It needs more of a purpose like the totem in the main staircase

 

[flonicky]

A short time later:

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

...that was a weird snow squall.