Governor General's Medals in Architecture — 2014 Recipient | Royal Architectural Institute of Canada

Governor General's Medals in Architecture — 2014 Recipient

Joseph L. Rotman School of Management Expansion, University of Toronto
Toronto
ON
Award Category: 
Governor General’s Medals in Architecture

KPMB Architects

Lead design architect(s): 

Bruce Kuwabara, FRAIC
Marianne McKenna, FRAIC

The vertical, interconnected campus is an expression of Rotman’s core mission to promote the power of creativity and integrative thinking. The design fuses ideas of campus and city-building, study and interaction, sustainable design, creativity and business strategy. Conceived through the lens of Rotman’s Integrative Thinking program, the design encapsulates the power of architecture to harmonize seemingly opposite notions and objectives at every scale of design. The expansion creates a vibrant global hub in which to advance its curriculum. It reinforces the necessity of architectural excellence to inspire growth in education to ensure Canada remains competitive in the global marketplace.

Jury Comment(s): 

"Large glass volumes are anchored to an existing Victorian house and seem to float behind it.  The volumes are simple and their detailing well-controlled, giving this building a sense of refinement and solidity. The lipstick-pink line of a staircase spirals up and down their core, to act as a social condenser and tease out the element of creation and innovation inherent in the school philosophy. This bright gesture in a sober box, along with the light volumes against the stately mansion, make a convincing use of contrasts."

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Photo: © Maris Mezulis

Photo: © Maris Mezulis

Photo: © Tom Arban

Photo: © Tom Arban

Photo: © Tom Arban