DUFFERIN/ST.CLAIR LIBRARY

Completion Date: October 2008
Owner: Toronto Public Library

Located on Dufferin Street, south of St. Clair Avenue, Dufferin/St.Clair Library is one of Toronto's heritage listed buildings. The original library facility was built in the 1920's and is situated adjacent to a park actively enjoyed by the Community.

Our vision for the project involved restoring the building to its original charm, uncovering and repairing existing walls murals to create a dynamic interior space, demolishing the existing stucco additions and constructing new glazed additions to the west and south sides. The building interiors were completely renovated to include a new sophisticated adult area, a separate Teen Zone, a vibrant Children's area and a KidsStop, an interactive children's play and learning area for babies and toddlers. Also included is a new Community Room that projects into the adjacent park and a new public interior entry ramp that connects the existing main entry to the new south entry from the adjacent park. The new glass facades create for more inviting building elevations that encourage the Community to peek into the reinvented public friendly spaces. It also promotes a visual connection between the interior public spaces and the new exterior public reading garden in the adjacent park and between the library interior and the street.

AWARDS
2009 Heritage Toronto Award of Merit

The Ontario Library Association 2010 Award of Excellence

American School and University Award for Outstanding Design in the Educational Interiors Showcase 2010