Toronto Architecture From The 1960's and 70's

[LowPolygon]

http://fortyorkmaps.blogspot.ca/2013/03/1968-somerville-mcmurrich-oxley-master.html

thank you for posting that.

I came across a great overview of the controversy surrounding the demolition of original 1846 John Howard building in a collection from 1977, The Second City Book: Studies of Urban and Suburban Canada. Written by George Baird.


http://books.google.ca/books?id=dCM...a case study of government demolition&f=false

 

[thecharioteer]

Very interesting reading, particularly the valiant attempt Jack Diamond made to save the Howard building (and was criticized for "recycling" the building, instead of "restoring" it). Remember also that the Don Jail almost met the same fate, with the same arguments about "bad memories" being trotted out.

 

[Transportfan]

this is a very informative history of late modernism in North York:

North York's Modernist Architecture Revisited;
http://era.on.ca/wp/wp-content/uploa...h-Addendum.pdf

There are some buildings with unknown architects and year of construction in that PDF document. That must only be unknown to the company because I can't imagine that info for modern buildings like that would be unknown to anyone .

 

[One Nut Kruk]

I've always found this to be a really fascinating piece of architecture:

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (3 Combermere Dr)

The interior is great too:
http://www.bvmtoronto.com/photoi.html

 

[LowPolygon]

500 Duplex Avenue, 1972. Architect: Seligman & Dick

 

[thecharioteer]

The strangest thing about 500 Duplex to me has always been the design decision to have essentially a blank wall on its south elevation, thereby missing some of the most spectacular skyline views from North Toronto. Perhaps a "60's" thing, but 10-20 Avoca got it right with wrap-around balconies (also by Seligman & Dick).

 

[adma]

Definitely one of those "nice in photos, but really shouldn't have happened, or at least fat chance pulling it off today" cases (Crombie to the rescue!)

 

[LowPolygon]

Berkshire house, Canterbury House. 1973-75
Architect: Kenneth R. Cooper

 

[CityPlaceN1]

Love 500 Duplex. I imagine the units are huge.

 

[LowPolygon]

Love 500 Duplex. I imagine the units are huge.

huge and a pretty good deal for the long term tenants. i talked to someone while i was shooting who told me he paid $400 for a one bedroom when he moved in in the late 70s, and now pays around $1300.

 

[LowPolygon]

I've always found this to be a really fascinating piece of architecture:

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish (3 Combermere Dr)
View attachment 18826

The interior is great too:
http://www.bvmtoronto.com/photoi.html

thank you for posting that. what an extraordinary interior!

 

[thecharioteer]

Re: Berkshire House, Canterbury House

Given that the balcony repairs have been going on for what seems like at least five years, there must be a lesson here as to why sold concrete balconies are not a good idea.......

Le Corbusier did it so much better in 1947-52 with his Unite d'Habitation in Marseilles (a very influential building for Toronto architects in the 50's and 60's, from Dickinson in Regent Park South to Jerome Markson at Baycrest):

 

[LowPolygon]

Re: Berkshire House, Canterbury House

Given that the balcony repairs have been going on for what seems like at least five years, there must be a lesson here as to why sold concrete balconies are not a good idea.......

what caused that kind of damage to the balconies? water? extremes in winter/summer temperature? some flaw in the concrete itself?
one doesn't often see it degrade to that extent, there are 2000 year old concrete buildings in Rome in better shape...
is there any way of mitigating this kind of thing?

Le Corbusier did it so much better in his Unite d'Habitation in Marseilles (a very influential building for Toronto architects in the 50's and 60's, from Dickinson in Regent Park South to Jerome Markson at Baycrest):

truly spectacular...

 

[thecharioteer]

I would suspect that the issue has to do with improper drainage from the balconies, with those little drainage pipes on each balcony being insufficient to the task. With the water sitting there all winter, eventually it permeates the slab and starts to rust the rebars, causing the concrete to crack and spall.

 

[One Nut Kruk]

thank you for posting that. what an extraordinary interior!

No problem.