Masonry Magazine September 1978 Page. 7
North York Municipal Building
Toronto, Ontario
Architect: Adamson Associates Architects Planners
Structural Engineer: Reid Crowther & Partners Ltd.
Mason Contractor: Leader Structures Ltd. (OMCA)
The 300-ft. long sloping roof is a major feature of the new North York Municipal Building in Toronto. Supported by Class "H" hollow structural sections (HSS), the huge glazed roof encloses a cavernous public space that rises to the building's sixth level. The exterior masonry features a Whitacre iron spot brick imported from Ohio.
A magnificent new civic project is dramatically changing the skyline of the Borough of North York in Toronto. Phase I of the proposed North York Civic Centre, the new Municipal Building designed by Adamson Associates Architects Planners of Toronto, has been completed. Phase II of the complex will include extensions of the underground parking levels and interior street connections to a cultural center, library, swimming pool, restaurants, theaters and the subway.
According to Adamson Associates, the design of the Civic Centre "offered a unique opportunity to create a mixed-use framework for an urban centre which unites civic, cultural, educational and commercial aspects...the Centre should be people-oriented and create activity both day and night within its boundaries."
As such the design of the Phase 1 Municipal Building was based on the introduction of a system of multi-level interior streets. These thoroughfares form an interior connector between the new Municipal Building, the existing Board of Education administrative offices, other planned facilities for Phase II of the Civic Centre, and the development to the south by the Government of Ontario.
A principal feature of the Municipal Building is its gigantic sloping glass roof covering ten bays along the east side of the building. The main support comes from primary trusses (shipped from the fabricator in 60-ft. sections) running the length of the building and carried on continued on page 30.
Inside the building, the inviting public space is bathed in soft natural light admitted by the massive sloping glazed roof. Brown carpet and dark brown metal complement the brown colored brick.