2019 Ontario Library Association New Library Building Award goes to Springdale

Awarded once every three years, the OLA Library Building Award encourages and showcases excellence in the architectural design and planning of libraries in Ontario. Springdale Library in Brampton was one of only four libraries to receive the award this year.

“Newly-built libraries today reflect the strong desire for public places that instill a sense of community pride and are, at the same time, highly flexible and functional spaces,” comments Shelagh Paterson, executive director, Ontario Library Association.

The jury issued the following remarks about Springdale Library: “The view from the street is intriguing! It raises your curiosity and invites you to explore. Perhaps the most impressive feature of the LEED Gold registered Springdale library is the building’s connection to the local environment and community. The building is situated as close to the street as possible to help reach out to the neighbourhood and offers a stunning new architectural feature to draw residents into this vibrant new facility. A blend of outstanding design and technical expertise.”

Trinity College's new building to be designed by Mecanoo in partnership with RDHA

Trinity College’s NEWS RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT Toronto, ON (July 10, 2019): Trinity College has selected Mecanoo in partnership with Toronto firm RDH Architects Inc. (RDHA) to design and build the College’s new student residence and academic building.

“We are thrilled to be working with Mecanoo and RDHA on the design and development of our new building. They have a deep understanding of what we aspire to and our core values of excellence, community and sustainability,” said Professor Mayo Moran, Provost and Vice-Chancellor of Trinity College. “We want our campus be an inspiring and welcoming place to learn, live and work. This is an exciting opportunity to complement our beautiful, historic campus.”

The addition of new physical facilities is critical for the student experience at Trinity College. While the student population has grown over the past several decades, the infrastructure has not. The new building will respond to this challenge, providing much needed teaching, learning and common space. Moreover, the addition of urgently needed residence space will mean that more of Trinity College’s current students will be able to enjoy living and learning in a close community – the quintessential college experience that so many alumni cherish.

The design architect for the project is Mecanoo, led by Francine Houben. “A world-renowned architect, Francine is known for her site-specific work, her deep understanding of design and her attentiveness to how people inhabit space. As an advocate for the way architecture can support community and the needs of users, her approach aligns with the College’s ethos,” Provost Moran said.

“We are so pleased to be working with Trinity College to enhance their world-class campus. The new building will embody our shared values of placing people first to create a memorable and inspiring home for all members of the Trinity community,” said Francine Houben, Mecanoo Creative Director/Founding Partner.

The project architect will be RDHA, led by Bob Goyeche. “RDHA is extremely excited with this opportunity to assist Trinity College in the development of this once in a generation project for the College,” said Bob Goyeche, RDHA Managing Partner.

Mecanoo’s architectural approach, which uses an integrated “live, play and work model” in all aspects of their design, resonates with the aspirations of Trinity College. They also strive to complement the aesthetics of existing buildings, and are leaders in integrating landscape architecture, incorporating sustainability into all aspects of the project, and building connectivity.

The full News Release/Announcement can be read here.

RDHA cycles to support Heart & Stoke Foundation

RDHA cyclists formed a corporate team and joined the 2019 Ride for Heart in support of the Heart and Stoke Foundation on Sunday, June 2. Riding 25-km, 50-km and even 75-km along the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway gave participants a new perspective on our city. In preparation for the event, in-house cycle experts lead several training rides, and gave a workshop on bike maintenance. Overall it was a great team experience for a great cause!

Architectural Record "Snapshot" feature image!

This stunning photo by RDHA’s Sanjay Chauhan was selected as the Feb 2019 Architectural Record “Snapshot”. The image of the Idea Exchange Old Post Office appeared online and in the print journal along with the following brief article by Alex Klimoski:

“On the Grand River in Cambridge, Ontario, a glimmering glass addition by Toronto-based firm RDHA brings a flamboyant edge to the former Galt Post Office, an early 19th-century heritage building that had sat vacant for nearly a decade. Seeing an opportunity to revive the structure, the city’s public library system acquired the site, with plans to create a place dedicated to “makerspaces,” as opposed to a conventional book facility. To accommodate an ambitious program—which includes video- and sound-recording studios, a black-box theater, and rooms with equipment such as woodwork and metalwork machines, laser cutters, and smart tables—the architects had to create 20,000 square feet of space. But the site had many constraints, due largely to its location against a flood wall, so the team inserted two volumes that cantilever out over the water. Clad in glass, fritted with patterns alluding to decorative elements of the historic post office, the addition provides views onto the old building as well as the river below. Although the resulting “library” lacks books, what it offers is an invaluable service: endless possibilities to create.”

Globe and Mail "What's Next in 2019?" includes Idea Exchange Old Post Office

Alex Bozikovic, architecture critic for the Globe and Mail, has featured the Idea Exchange Old Post Office in the Jan 5 article "What's Next in 2019?". In the article Globe Arts staff preview 2019’s best, “buzziest events across the worlds of theatre, music, film, visual arts, architecture and design”.

According to Alex: “A new generation of library facilities is reinventing the use and physical layout of those institutions. Idea Exchange of Cambridge, Ont., will move this agenda forward: Entirely bookless, it will instead provide makerspaces, music and video studios and engaged learning. The building by RDHA, which won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence, reinvents a stone Victorian post office with modernist drama.”

Link to article available to Globe and Mail subscribers: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-whats-next-for-2019-in-the-world-of-arts/