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Canadian studio Superkül has up to date the studying room on the College of Toronto’s Robarts Library, a notable instance of brutalist structure.
The venture concerned renovating the cavernous concrete area on the constructing’s fourth ground, as a part of the college’s bigger initiative to revitalise the Robarts Library, which Superkül described as “considered one of North America’s most important examples of brutalist structure”.
Accomplished in 1973, the John P Robarts Analysis Library was designed by native structure studio Mathers & Haldenby.
It’s each the biggest particular person library on the College of Toronto and the biggest tutorial library constructing in Canada.
As an necessary facility for college students and school, the studying and examine areas required upgrades to fulfill modern studying kinds and tools, whereas remaining respectful to the heritage-listed structure.
The venture additionally wanted to attach the unique brutalist construction with the adjoining Robarts Frequent extension, accomplished by Diamond Schmitt Architects in September 2022.
“We had been tasked with an bold purpose: to transform the area right into a superior modern surroundings for quiet examine, collaboration, and digital scholarship in a fashion that enhances the constructing’s exalted architectural language and helps accessibility, range, and wellness,” mentioned Superkül.
Unfold all through the 20,300-square-foot (1,886-square-metre), double-height area are particular person examine areas, new digital stations, session rooms and two gentle remedy zones.
Explicit consideration was paid to accessibility, by way of the addition of inclusive examine spots that enable customers to regulate desk heights, seating configurations and lighting for his or her wants.
“We additionally emphasised clear sightlines and intuitive wayfinding in a symmetrical format to advertise simple navigation,” mentioned Superkül.
The studio labored with a crew of acoustic specialists to create a sound-dampening system utilizing perforated wooden and metallic panelling, designed to mix in with the inside structure.
This scheme permits communal examine teams to converse with out disturbing different college students.
For the brand new components, quite a lot of pure supplies had been chosen so as to add heat to the concrete constructing, together with custom-designed bronze screens and particulars that play on current motifs.
“To honour the distinctive geometry and materiality that make Robarts Library such a prodigious icon, we hewed carefully to an overarching goal: create a sturdy and respectful design that honours the present structure and enhances the library’s different areas,” the studio mentioned.
Additionally on the College of Toronto, studios Kohn Shnier and ERA Architects just lately renovated the historic College School constructing to make it extra accessible.
Superkül’s earlier initiatives have included an all-white trip dwelling within the Ontario countryside.
The images is by Doublespace.
Venture credit:
Architect: Superkül
Structural engineer: Entuitive
Mechanical and electrical engineer: HH Angus
Acoustics: Aercoustics
Value: Marshall & Murray
Code and security: LRI
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