A decision made on artistic grounds

The first time I walked past the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) was an odd experience for me. It was a sunny day in 2004—my first year at Ryerson, while I was exploring the city. I didn’t know what this rectangular building held up by a bunch of leaning towers shaped like crayons around it was supposed to be but it did make me stop and look up. Way up. So high that the sun that was just in my eyes was now being obstructed by this strange structure.

The actual core of this building, known as the Sharp Centre for Design, is raised 26 metres above ground by 12 coloured pillars that are about 10 storeys high. Since its introduction to 100 McCaul St. next to the AGO, everyone who’s seen it seems to have a strong opinion. I’ve heard it called out of place and unattractive, distracting and even pretentious. Others admire its daring, experimental design, saying it fits right into the artistic vibe of the college and the area in general.

But it wasn’t until I met museum curator and resident of the Village by the Grange neighbourhood, Max Allen that I truly understood the real reason the building stands above this sorted debate. Allen, an avid fan of the design he calls “astounding,” says his interest was peaked as early as when the architect Will Alsop actually held a meeting and invited everyone from the neighbourhood to attend.

“(Alsop) asked us all, ‘What do you want?’ says Allen. “He didn’t come with any sketches of the building, he didn’t come with any ideas of what he was going to build, he didn’t have an idea that he was going take this thing and stick it up on stilts, he had no ideas at all.” The neighbours living in the series of buildings across from the OCAD property, with the highest at eight stories high, requested for the building not to block their view of Grange Park.

The fact that someone in such a position of power actually stopped to consider the thoughts and feelings of the community members really helped give the award-winning facility stable footing. “It solved everybody’s problem,” says Allen. “It solved the circulation problem within the building and it also solved the problem of the view across the street. Good for him.”

While taking a stroll through Grange Park, I understand what the neighbours were talking about. This is a place meant to be held onto if not for its wide open stretch of land and relaxing atmosphere then for its position as the backyard of two of Toronto's major cultural institutions: OCAD and the AGO. Though the school's hovering structure may block the sun sometimes, this park is worth seeing.