Event: "Visions of Toronto" with Margie Zeidler and Joe Lobko
Organizer: Architect For Humanity Toronto and Gardiner Museum
Cost: Free!
Pre-event estimate: will depend on speaker but the topic sounds interesting!
Post-event rating: 4 out of 5
I thought they were going to talk about the revitalization of the harbour front to boost up Toronto's image for tourism. How shallow I am! The lecture was about something far more important: preserving heritage buildings and respecting the environment.
Their talks showcased how architects worked with the artists community, environmental groups and local residents to transform 401 Richmond Street West, The Robinson Building, and the Brick Works. Their collective creativity and planning brought new industry to the abandoned factory buildings. They also talked about the many ways to make an old building energy efficient. In fact, not tearing the place down and dumping the waste in the landfill is a significant step!
In Q & A, we had a lively discussion on why fewer heritage buildings are preserved in Toronto compared to other cities, such as Vancouver and cities in the States. One suggestion was that Torontoians lack confidence of their past. Margie reminded us that "our future lies in our past." It is easier to knock down the old ones and build from the ground up than to incorporate existing structure. But you lose the unique favour and character of the city.
I left the event feeling empowered: I am going to embrace my past and create a better, richer future for myself!
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2 comments:
Another point of note is to appreciate "everyday fabric." We don't need a famous person to reside in a building to call it a heritaged building.
It's the same idea in "After Life" (Movie in May 2008). Going to Disneyland cannot compare to a quiet afternoon sitting in the park with your loved one.
CHRIS
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