PROJECT 04
DUFFERIN/ST. CLAIR LIBRARY ADAPTIVE REUSE PROPOSAL
SIZE: 5000 SQ. FT. (EXISTING); 51,000 SQ. FT. (PROPOSED)
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A full conditions report, site survey and adaptive resue proposal was required as part of a final project in my 2023 "Restoration" class. I selected a georgian revival library in the Hillcrest Village area of Toronto. It is a public building that has undergone multiple renovations, and has subsequently lost many of its character-defining elements. A century later, the city of Toronto has greatly changed; the site's use could be expanded to respond to pressing social need while still providing beloved public education and programming.
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Below are excerpts from my 70-page report.
The site is well-served by streetcar and bus routes. It is situated on a major N-S artery. Additionally, the site is only 15min away from the nearest subway station by bus. Neighbouring the site and across from it are paramedical offices; St. Clair Ave. W. has a vibrant shopping and restaurant scene.
As part of the proposal, the historical, character-defining elements that had been lost were to be restored following best practices as outlined in the "The Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada"