Practicing ArchitectureAwards

2010 INSTITUTE HONOR AWARDS FOR REGIONAL AND URBAN DESIGN RECIPIENT

Architecture

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Interior Architecture

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Regional & Urban Design

Notes of Interest

While the Master Plan was developed to deal effectively with the Ryerson University (RU) campus’ deficiencies, it ultimately foregrounds Ryerson as a city building, and a model for the 21st Century urban university. Each goal of the Master Plan is defined by a series of principles, and together, they form the flexible framework which will guide the growth of Ryerson University. These goals are: urban intensification, people first (pedestrianization of the urban environment), and a commitment to design excellence. The Master Plan represents the collective input of the entire University community over an 18-month development period.

The consortium architects/urban planners/financial advisors worked closely with Ryerson University senior administration, faculty, students, and the RU Board to articulate the university in clear, concise and implementable terms. Unlike conventional master plans that approach a site and provide specific guidelines in terms of use and density, massing, etc., the RU Master Plan uses demonstration sites, a building site, street, or open space, to demonstrate the application of goals and guidelines. Given the demands of an evolving academic program, the economic imperative to look at ‘co-development’ with commercial or residential development partners, the demonstration sites are presented in the Master Plan document as tools to suggest design directions consistent with the principles.

JURY COMMENTS

Looking forward to Ryerson’s
identity as a university within the
urban setting of a growing
Toronto downtown, this master
plan strives to create a
recognizable presence and
community connection oriented to
comfortable, secure pedestrian use
and a commitment to design
excellence as the university grows
over time. With its thoughtful
connection to the area
transportation system and
extensive integration with the city,
this plan is a decidedly 21^st
Century response to co-
development, including funding
and potential integrations of uses
within a tight timeframe. It has an
interesting, creative use of
verticality while giving the city
clearly articulated and much
needed open space.

2010 INSTITUTE HONOR AWARDS FOR REGIONAL AND URBAN DESIGN JURY

John F. Torti, FAIA (Chair)
Torti Gallas & Partners, Inc.
Silver Spring, Maryland

Lance Jay Brown, FAIA
Lance Jay Brown Architecture & Urban Design
New York City

Brenda Scheer, AIA
University of Utah
College of Architecture + Planning
Salt Lake City

Edward K. Uhlir, FAIA
Uhlir Consulting, LLC
Chicago

Debby Wieneke
Habitat for Humanity of Benton County, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas