TORONTO | Toronto City Hall | 326ft & 260ft | 27 & 20 FLOORS | 1965
 

one of the most amazing pieces of architecture from the 1960's..

grand opening:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Hall_1965.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...2C_Ontario.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...night_view.jpg

all images from the Wikipedia page on the building. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_City_Hall

Brutalist done right for once.

Well not quite. I would say that this is a late modern building that happens to have a lot of concrete. But other than the concrete, which brutalism doesn't necessarily require, there aren't any of the other qualities.

In a brutalist city hall I would expect the design to revolve around the organization of the different groups of people in the city hall (the public, city council, mayor, city departments, etc.). That's why Boston's city hall has such a weird shape.

As much as I appreciate the effort and the iconic status it has created for itself, I found the City Hall's blind concrete walls just awful (Good luck finding pictures of that). I had the misfortune to get off Toronto's coach terminal last spring and one of the first things I saw were these two gigantic curved concrete walls poking out.

Also, the square in front of the buildings is one cold, inhospitable space.

The Old City Hall just across the street, though, is a timeless piece.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._Hall_1965.jpg

All that said, this is a fantastic picture.

I guess what's good about these buildings is that unlike so many other Canadian city halls, this one is never forgotten. Its polarizing figure ensures that there will never be a shortage of discussion.

The shape is definitely iconic and memorable. Although I would to see the back of the curves on the towers reclad to look more modern. The concrete has aged quite poorly. The recent Nathan Philips Square revitalization is decent, but IMO the often neglected elevated walkway should have been removed.

It was also the Starfleet Headquarters in Star Trek.. :D

http://www.blogto.com/upload/2011/10...ay_toronto.jpg

I'm currently looking for the design website that had most of the details for this (I'm sure I bookmarked it!) but in recent years, they've greened the podium roof. I think it's an interest concept. Of course there's still more concrete than green, but it's nice to see something. :D

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4123/4...f73918d4_b.jpg
field of dreams by StudioGabe // Gabriel Li

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4117/4...a027bdc1_b.jpg
UFO field landing by StudioGabe // Gabriel Li

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6021/5...b274bcdc_b.jpg
topping City Hall -1 by Subjective Art

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4019/4...ef85e34a_b.jpg
Toronto City Hall Podium Green Roof by faylestar

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3399/4...21995341_b.jpg
Toronto City Hall Podium Green Roof by faylestar

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4050/4...cf52f60e_b.jpg
City Hall Green Roof 2 by Padraic.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4052/4...6157f3b1_b.jpg
City Hall Green Roof 1 by Padraic.

Ah here, it is. It's basically apart of a much bigger project to modernize the whole plaza. Which is odd when you think about how "modernist" the site is supposed to be. :haha:

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...plan-grade.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...erial-view.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la..._plazajets.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...um_1895_6.jpeg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...ium_4010_6.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...ium_4070_6.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...m_4309_6rd.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...ium_4327_6.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/images/la...ium_4313_6.jpg

http://www.branchplant.com/landscape...heatre_ip.html

inner embrace or the cold shoulder. no in-between.

Here are my photos of this distinctive building, including some interior details:

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/iDImN1.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/tdIUmV.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/IrXjRb.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/9uVN8E.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/kPtYA9.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/923/FSZDm1.jpg

All photos taken by geomorph in 2008.