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Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Lobby and Entrance

By : Gow Hastings Architects

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition

Discipline : Interior Design

Categories : Education, Institution & Healthcare / University & Higher Education : Silver Certification

The renewal of the lobby and entrance to the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) builds upon the Institute’s core values to create an inclusive and impressionable space. The design infuses Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the fabric of the 40-year-old building to ensure positive spatial experiences for all.

At the entrance, an upgraded building arcade and new glass vestibule create a marquee with clear signage that promotes the University of Toronto and OISE brand. The perforated sign with an internally illuminated screen and oversized OISE letters references the native copper used by Indigenous groups in the Great Lakes region for thousands of years. Under the shade of the marquee are benches made from cedar, warming up the concrete walkway and providing a place to sit and relax. Cedar was selected for its significance as a traditional medicine plant. Feather reed grass and Indigenous hydrangea line the marquee providing year-round interest. Linear light fixtures dispersed amongst the planters highlight the landscaping and illuminate the journey to the entry, aiding in wayfinding at night. Vertical lighting is further integrated into each exterior column to add dimension to the concrete façade.

The lobby is the main point of access to the elevators that serve the building, OISE Library, auditoriums, café and lounge spaces. This key circulation space was invigorated with a new welcome/security desk, a touchdown counter to assist with orientation, a 387 square foot living wall, and clusters of flexible soft seating designed for talking circles. The circular arrangement of the furniture symbolizes completeness, and establishes a non-hierarchical order where faculty and students can gather and discuss issues.

A focal point of the lobby interior is a floor-to-ceiling “Dish with One Spoon” Wampum belt, which symbolizes the importance of respect and responsibility for shared land. The Wampum belt is constructed with white and purple steel pipes, to emulate the traditional, tubular shell beads used by Indigenous artisans on a large scale. The floor and ceiling of the lobby are inspired by the four directions and the celestial bodies which guide us. On the ceiling, lights form the pattern of the Pleiades star cluster, while a copper-coloured cross along the floor aligns with north, east, south and west. This directionality is in contrast to the OISE building, which conforms to the strict city grid.

Modernizing the entry to the Bloor Street West building has resulted in enhanced wayfinding, branding and signage, improved accessibility, and new places for students and faculty to meet. The renewed lobby is a landmark destination and positive first impression of OISE, that underscores its commitment to Indigenization, equity, accessibility and sustainability.

Collaboration

Architect : Gow Hastings Architects

Interior Designer : Gow Hastings Architects

Other : Two Row Architect

Engineering : Vanderwesten & Rutherford Associates

Engineering : Entuitive

Landscape Architecture : Quinn Design Associates

Other : Entro

Other : Jensen Hughes

Other : A.W. Hooker

Lighting : TPL Lighting

Lighting : Sistemalux