Nathan Phillips Square

From CollabLandWiki

Location

Competition

Yonge-Dundas Square is situated a few blocks away from Nathan Phillips Square. It is a business venture where the council has appointed a management board and is run more like an outdoor events centre that can be booked aand hired out. It sees itself as a focal point of the city and a facility as a public open space. It hosts a wide range of activities - community celebrations, theatrical events, concerts, receptions, promotions - would appeal to residents and tourists alike and showcase local businesses.

I think we have to consider the programs occurring at Yonge-Dundas Square and adapt Nathan Phillips Square so that its either better and attracts more people or have programs that are of a different audience.

I can't find un-copyrighted photos but, the sqaure is a large concreted space without any vegetation. It has food stores around the outside and a raised area for a stage. As it is a business, there isn't any cultural significance and little history. I think this is what could bring Nathan Phillips Sqaure ahead by having those extra layers of interest to build with.

History

Construction of city hall. Architect Viljo Revell

The square was named for Nathan Phillips who was part of the City Council for 36 years, eight of those as the first Jewish mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. The square itself opened simultaneously with the New Toronto City Hall in September 1965. Both are the works of Finnish architect Viljo Revell, who won the International Design Competition held in 1958 organised by the mayor, Nathan Phillips.The year long competition was open in 1957 for the nearly 13-acre site immediately west of the third city hall. The square marked the transformation of Ontario’s capital from a unicultural enclave to the modern, multicultural city that it remains today.

This is actually the fourth city hall in Toronto's history. The first was destroyed by fire. The second was temporary. The third, the city outgrew. This fourth one is the result of an international design competition that was in fact held in 1957.(http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/81.php).

Throughout the 19th century, Yonge Street was the commercial focus of Toronto, lined with shops and suppliers. It also seperated the city ethnically. In 1965, with the new City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square just across the road from Old City Hall, Toronoto's focus shifted to Queen Street.

A dominate feature a Nathan Phillip Square is the City Hall, Architect Viljo Revell did not live to see the opening of this impressive and uniquely designed building, but his award winning design has been repeatedly described as monumental and expressionistically modern. Former Mayor Phil Givens claimed that “new City Hall has provided staid old Toronto with the impetus and architectural inspiration with which to proceed.…”

The City Hall's dynamic curves and rounded council chamber were the main talking points at the time, but it has been argued that the square, specifically its nature as a multi-use public space, has proven more radical over the years. This is because such a space was new to Toronto and Nathan Philips Square soon became the venue where locals could interact and appreciate themselves as more than just workers.

The design of this area was so unique and ahead of its time period that the surrounding buildings, such as the curved city hall twin towers and the Council Chamber are still internationally renowed today.

This history behind Nathan Philips Square has formed it into a massively symbolic civic square for the people of Toronto and also fronts an iconic City Hall. This symbolicness is compared to the iconic statics the Sydney Opera House has for Australians.

Native American Indian's used the 'Toronto Passage' for water and land which connects people with the land.

'Toronto' means word for meeting place - which is very relevant as this is a very multi used site.

Many differnt cultures such as the French, Brittish used the area, as each one pushed out the next, eventually the Brittish purchased the land of the Mississuaga Indians

Toronto, is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and is Canada's vibrant urban centres. people have lived here since shortly after the last ice age, although the urban community only dates to 1793 when British colonial officials founded the 'Town of York' on what then was the Upper Canadian frontier. That backwoods village grew to become the 'City of Toronto' in 1834, and through its subsequent evolution and expansion Toronto has emerged as one of the most liveable and multicultural urban places in the world today.

Nathan Phillips Square is located on 100Queen Steet West.

The square has been used a few times as the background for Hollywood movies including the 2004 Resident Evil: Apocalypse film and in 1980, 'The kidnapping of the President'

Nathan Phillips, QC (November 7, 1892 – January 7, 1976) was a Canadian politician and popular Mayor of Toronto.

Nathan Phillips was a lawyer by training and, unusually for the period, was a member of the Conservative Party having been involved in founding the Ontario Conservative Party's youth wing and then run as the Conservative candidate in Spadina in the 1935 federal election placing second.

Phillips was first elected to Toronto City Council in 1926 and was the first Toronto mayor of the Jewish faith. He served as mayor from 1955 until he retired in 1962 after thirty-six years in municipal politics. Phillips was dubbed "mayor of all the people". Until his election all mayors had been Protestant and every mayor in the twentieth century had been members of the Orange Order which dominated the city's political and business establishment. Phillips became mayor by defeating Mayor Leslie Howard Saunders, an Orangeman, who had stoked controversy with his sectarian comments about the importance of the Battle of the Boyne. Phillips' victory marked a turning point in Toronto history and its transformation from a Protestant, staunchly British and conservative city to a modern multicultural metropolis.

He is best remembered for being the driving force behind the construction of Toronto's New City Hall and the selection of a striking avant-garde design by Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Nathan Phillips Square which is part of the design and lies in front of the building was named in honour of the mayor.

In 2005 a proposal to sell the naming rights to Nathan Phillips Square unleashed a storm of opposition from many Torontonians, including Phillips' grandchildren. The proposal was withdrawn.

Culture

Toronto is a city of many museums, theatres, galleries, festivals, comedy clubs, sports and events.

The city is home to the Canadian Opera Company, the largest producer of opera in Canada and the sixth largest in North America. The city also has the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. It is also home to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Toronto's opera house; the Hummingbird Centre; Massey Hall, the Canadian National Exhibition, the Ontario Science Centre; the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art; Cinematheque Ontario, Toronto Centre for the Arts and the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre.

Ontario Place is located on three beautifully landscaped islands on the shores of Lake Ontario. It has rides and attractions, and includes the world's first permanent IMAX movie theatre, the Cinesphere, a geodesic dome-shaped structure; as well as the Molson Amphitheatre, a large open-air venue for large-scale music concerts.

Set on 13 acres in downtown Toronto, the Distillery District is a national historic site. The forty plus buildings constitute the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture in North America. The Distillery District is a pedestrian village containing unique boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, artist studios and micro breweries, including the well-known Mill Street Brewery.

Toronto has over 50 ballet and dance companies, six opera companies and two symphony orchestras.

A major film production center, Toronto is considered "Hollywood North" by the film industry. In 1998 Variety magazine acknowledged that the Toronto International Film Festival "is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pics, stars and market activity."

The New City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square have become representations of the direction in which Canada needs to move in terms of Architecture and Design. Derek Drummond states in his review, “In Praise of Modernist Civic Spaces in Canadian Cities,” the importance of new designs and solutions which include the public. This is in comparison to some of the older heritage buildings in Canada which are “essentially bereft of space and closed off to the public they are supposed to serve.”

It is important that the Nathan Phillips Square enhances its position as a focal point in Canada’s largest city, combing with the New Town Hall to create a space for the people to interact with and enjoy. It is the presence of people which really makes public places more appealing and interesting. Jan Gehl’s review, “Life Between Buildings,” quotes an old Scandinavian proverb that “people come where people are” which is especially relevant to public spaces – where the presence of people determines to an extent the success of the design.

Toronto is a very cultural city with a big emphasis on the arts. Nathan Phillips Square should reflect this.

Orientation

Nathan Philips Square (100 Queen St West (at Bay Street), Toronto) forms the front (south) entrance to Toronto City Hall or 'New City Hall' on an inner-city block aligned north-south. Nathan Phillips Square joins with the northern fringe of Toronto's CBD and is a key area for events and activities in all seasons and during all times of the day. It is about 2km north of the harbour docks and Lake Ontario beyond.

By boat, it is about 14584 Nautical Miles via the Suez canal and the St-Lawrence waterway. A 50 days 15 hours trip from Wellington.

Climate

Daily weather is highly variable, particularly during the winter months. In the winter there are mild patches(temperatures in the 5-10 °C range) These temperatures trigger regular melting of snow on the ground, so that there are snow free periods even in mid-winter.

There are usually two or three bitter cold snaps each year, where maximum temperatures only reach into the -10°C to -30°C. There is also a big wind chill factor, with strong winds making it feel even colder.

The average January the temperature usually ranges from -2.1 °C -10.5°C.

In the summer, daytime temperatures can climb as high as 35°C, but high humidity often causes the equivalent humidex value to be 40°C or even higher.

The average July temperature ranges from 26.8°C to 14.8°C .

Autumn offers pleasant daytime temperatures followed by refreshingly cool nights and Spring is typically the shortest season of the year, generally with warm days and cool nights.

The average yearly precipitation is 793 millimetres, with an average annual snowfall of about 115 centimetres. Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, but summer is usually the wettest (and also sunniest) season.

Connections

Nathan Phillips square is surrounded by an elevated walkway, with connections to City Hall, the square below, University Avenue, Queen Street. On the Yellow subway line exit at Osgoode or Queen station.

Map showing connections to Nathan Phillips Square

Town Hall 2000

City Hall 2000

Site Boundaries

Nathan Phillips Square and the City Hall lies on the South East corner of Queen Street West and Bay Street. Hagerman Street creats the back boundary of the site, in the North East corner. The West boundary is lined with buildings, including Osgoode Hall.

At the most Northern end of the site, lies the City Hall, and Nathan Phillips Square lies on the Southern most end, along Queen Street West.

Materiality

Concrete.

2001 Design in ice competeion held in Nathan Phillips Square

PAVING --- Nathan Phillips square mainly consists of paving made up of large concrete slabs.

The pavement used to be consistant some parts of the square, it was giving pedestrains a higher probability over vehicles.

CONCRETE --- The two main elements on the site are also made from concrete. The elevated concrete walkway that runs along the perimeter and allows access to the podium roof of city hall and the three spanning concrete arches that covers the rink/pool.

PRE-CAST CONCRETE - The most famous 'bridge' builted over the rink/pool, named 'Freedom Arches'.

STONE --- A big number of landmarks are made of stone:

-In the Peace Garden, some stone houses are built on different-level steps.

-Winston Churchill Statue and 'speaker's corner' located in the southwest corner of the square.

-Some other sculptures are in different pattern.

TREES --- There are a lot of trees in Square. They are formally planted around the square, raised in planter boxes edged with seats. Especially, some young or small-size trees are planted on the small 'island', in the middle of the pool.

GRASS --- There is not much grass in the Square except for in the Peace Garden, it is the main 'green area', other grass grows arround the big trees naturlly.

WATER --- Water is a special elemnet in this square. A liquid and flowing water as a 'pool' in Spring. However, in winter the water becomes unmoveable, and the solid to be a rink.

ICE --- Ice. During winter temperatures drop low enough to support an ice rink and works of art in the form of ice sculpture

• Approximately 15 teams will carve their masterpieces over 2 days competing for more than $2000 in prizes.

• 19,090 kg (42,000 lb.) of ice will be chiselled into shape on Nathan Phillips Square

Assorted Images

View from 333 metres	narrow standing in the Nathan Phillips Square	Views of the peace garden and the fountain.	skating in the Nathan Phillips Square
Views of the peace garden and the fountain	overview of couple buildings and sculpture	New City Hall turn 40 in 2005.Standing in Nathan Phillips Square	Skating rink at the Square. Old City Hall is on the left
1977 image of Nathan Philips Square	1977 image of Nathan Philips Square

3ds Max, An elevated overall view from the South East corner, looking North towards the City Hall.

3ds Max, A view from the South East corner, looking through the rink arches and across onto Osgoode Hall and City Hall to the North.

3ds Max, A perspective view from the South East cornern, at the junction of Queen Street West and Bay Street.

3ds Max, A view from the South West corner, looking back onto the pool/ice rink and into the center of the City Hall.

Existing Infrastructure

The Celling weighs over 2000T, it took 40 days for the concrete that was poured into a plywood model.

The ceiling of this roof is made up from aluminum strips that can be snapped in and out of position to allow maintenance staff access to wiring and other equipment im amongst the wall. In the middle of the rotunda the large reinforced concrete column, which is six metres across, one metre thick, and goes down 16 metres into the hard bedrock beneath the building's foundation, supports the 4000 tonne Council Chamber above. The core of the column is actually hollow because it holds the electrical wires, plumbing heating and the air conditioning that service to the Council Chamber.

Internal buildings

The council chamber, which seats up to 300 , this roof reaches up to 12 meters at its highest point and 47 meters in diameter. The room can be didvided through using a movable wall if there are two seperate meets need to use the same chamber. The walls are carpeted and the celling is sprayed with a carpet fibe to absorb the sound.

A hall of memeory is not to be forgotten as this is the most well known room, with the Golden Book of Rememberance, which lists more than 3, 300 lives, both men and woman who lost their lives in the Second World War. Regiment Badges are hung along the walls. Another special feature of this room is the main support structure of 4,000 Tonnes, and also the base of the Council Chamber, which is imbedded far down in the earths surface

With the Hallway Gallery and along the walls tha lead down to the display some of the historic photos, offices and commitee rooms.

The interior on both the celling and the floor in the building is made from Carrara marble that had been imported from Italy and carefully cut in Canade and each peice laid by hand.

Surrounding Buildings

St Michaels Hospital, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Metro Hall, Berczy Park, Moss Park, Dundas Bay Parkette. Parliamentry buildings, The Bay ( corporate building ), Eaton Centre is too the east, to the West towards Spadina are all sorts of various Shops,

Hospitality

There are 3 main restaurants just outside of Nathan Phillips Square and a number of other ones with in walking distance. The three main ones are Little Anthony’s, Superior Restaurant and Spring Rolls.

Spring Rolls: is an award winning Pan-Asian restaurant combining a mix of Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese menu options. It offers sophistication and style at a value price. http://www.springrolls.ca/index.html

Little Anthony’s: specializes in Italian cuisine with there homemade pastas, provimi veal dishes and AAA Angus steaks. Along with fine wines. They can cater for large groups of up to 100. http://littleanthonys.sites.toronto.com/

Superior Restaurant: is a cosy old style restaurant located in the middle of Toronto. Today’s Superior Restaurant is a revived form or the old Superior Restaurant that was on the corrent space from 1943 until 1972. Although the ‘5o’s steak house’ style restaurant has gone the ideal of the big portions or good food for a reasonable price has stayed. http://www.superiorrestaurant.com/index.htm

Other Nearby restaurants: Le biftheque

Mediterra

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Tundra Hy's

Nightlife: The easy

C'est What

Horseshoe Tavern

Rivoli

Second City

Toronto has a very busy nightlife which accomodates for many different people including bars and pubs, billard and pool halls, club chart, comedy clubs, gay and lesbian bars, irish, jazz clubs, karoke, late night dinig, latin clubs, live entertainment, lounges, nightclubs, sports bars and super clubs. Having such depth in the area invites different types of people in.

Hotels/Backpackers

Sheraton hotel is located across Queen street Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is a hospitality ownership, management, and franchise organization. For more detailed information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheraton_Hotel

Public facilities

Nathan Phillips Square provides the people of Toronto with many attractions and facilities on a year round basis. Fresh Wednesdays occur every Wednesday from July 12th to August 23rd, combining the best of Torontos produce with free live Jazz performances from midday til 2pm. In combination with Tasty Thursdays, where Torontos premier restaurants provide menu items for five dollars or less, these events provide the Public some quality experiences over the Summer period. These events change throughout the year, and many events are also held at the Yonge-Dundas Square, a few blocks away.

A speakers corner was founded in 1988 in the South West corner, an attempt to promote free speech proposed by counciller Richard Gilbert, inspired by a similar feature he had seen in London. Outdoor chess sets are available to the public, and can be obtained from the South East corner of the Square on Bay and Queen Streets.

Nathan Phillips Square also plays the role of host to many homeless people of the area. Usually found on benches surrounding the Square and City Hall, away from the glow of park lights. They are tolerated by the public, and even allowed to sleep there. An interesting fact considering many councils focus on clearing out the homeless, yet Nathan Phillips Square is still a popular attraction to Torontos people.

The City Hall contains the Hall of memory, a scale model of Toronto detailing major attractions and upcoming changes. Citizens can also visit and experience councillers developing policies and by-laws an the council chambers.

Retail

During 19Th and early 20th centuries, there was a significant growth of cities. The beautiful skyline became the symbol of city was published on newspaper. Those heritage buildings have been well-designed with façades and interior and most building in Canada is street-oriented. However, it lacked civic space. Toronto’s third City Hall, The Old City Hall is an example of this phenomenon. 75 years later, Nathen Phillips Square and the New City Hall has been designed for solving this problem. It makes conjunction between buildings and exterior environment. It created more activities and improve the function of civic space. The events which hold seasonal also make more fun for citizens. Place Ville Marie became a civic space for Montreal’s Hall since 1962. Some modernist project use good design that new office should have exterior Plaza and retail underneath of Plaza. The bank, Café, restaurant, indoor skis centre and highlight the courtyard makes both high qualities and quantities of lifestyle.

Spring Rolls 40 Bay St, Toronto, ON Ph: (416) 585-2929

Le Commensal Fine Vegetarian Cuisine 655 Bay St, Toronto, ON Ph: (416) 596-9364

Little Anthony’s 121 Richmond St, W, Toronto, ON Ph: (416)368-2223

The Sultan’s Tent & Café Moroc 49 Front St East, Toronto, ON Ph: (416) 961-0601

Benihana Japanese Restaurant 100 Front St, W, Toronto, ON Ph: (416) 860-5002

[[1]]

Vegetation

Research has been conducted about pollution levels in relation to the presence of vegetation in midcity Toronto. "The data reveals that a 20% increase of vegetation (grass on roofs) on commercial and residential high (flat roofs) in Midtown Toronto reduced air pollution at a rate above the existing baseline of vegetation in Toronto. Furthermore, urban vegetation contributes financially in recovering clean air in Midtown Toronto."

Being a large city of 2.5 million its important to have control of pollution and not allow it to become out of hand.

The plants in toronoto must be able to withstand alpine conditions, negative temperatures.

Tulips, red and yellow used to be in the square years ago.

Autumn maples Bunchberry

Transportation

Bus/Public Transport Access

The Toronto Bus Terminal, located at 610 Bay Street (just north of Dundas Street), is a terminal in downtown Toronto for inter-city bus lines. The terminal is very close to Nathan Phillips Square, as well as the Toronto Eaton Centre, the Atrium on Bay, The Toronto City Hall, and the Hospital for Sick Children. By having the terminal close to Nathan Phillips Square, it makes public access to and from the area easy.

The terminal is a two-storey-high historic building. Around 1990, the building was renovated by demolishing the internal walls, keeping the external walls intact—a process known as façadism.

Located at 100 Queen Street West, Nathan Phillips Square is easily accessed by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Queen street car (501), or the Yonge Line subway (exit Queen station) or the University line (exit Osgoode Station).

Vehicular

Beneath Nathan Phillips Square is one of the world's largest underground carparks with space for 2,400cars.

Special events Access to the area must be requested in advance. Vehicles in excess of 8,500 pounds (loaded) cannot be accommodated on the square. The speed limit is 8km per hr while driving on the square. Applicants must receive written authorisation in advance. Scheduled deliveries must be made to the west laneway.Media vehicle parking is limited.

Pedestrian

Path logo for the city of Toronto. This sign represents the 27km long pedestrian underground walkway.

The Path System

Path is the name of the network that makes it easy to walk around Toronto to get to anywhere you need to go. It is an underground walkway that links a massive 27 kms or shopping, entertainment and services. It has proved very popular with tourists and city dwellers alike beacause of the way that you can walk anywhere no matter what the weather is. This is an important aspect in Toronto where the tempaerature varies enormously with Summer compared to Winter.

100,000 daily commuters use the path system to get to and from work, as well as thousands of additional people that are usual tourists or people on there way to sporting or cultural events.

-The Path system holds the current world record for the greatest amount of underground shopping anywhere in the world.

-There is approximately 1200 shops which together employ over 5000 people.

-A long awaited event in the year is the world's largest sidewalk sale which shops in the Path network host anually.

-As well as having over 1200 shops this amazing complex contains more than 50 offices, 25 parking garages, 5 subway stations, 2 department stores, six hotels, and a railway terminal. The path system links Toronto's major tourist areas together.

- If you like making decisions then the path network is for you. It contains 125 access points and 60 decision points.

- Each letter in path is a different colour, each representing a direction. The P is red and represents south. The orange A directs pedestrians to the west, while the blue T directs them to the north. The H is yellow and points to the east.

-The path system originated from when two major stores wanted to link themselves together underground in 1900. Then five more paths followed. Later on Path was born.

- Nathan Phillips Square is wheelchair and scooter accessible.

- It is managed by the Toronto council.

Programmes

Nathan Phillips Square is a public gathering space, home to a number of events throughout the year and is active every day.

CURRENT EVENTS

1. 'Fresh Wednesday's' - free concerts, 2006

2. 'Farmers' Market, to buy fresh produce - 8.30am -2pm every Wednesday runs from June 7th to October 18th.

3. 'Tasty Thursday's - Samples of food from Toronto restaurants, including International cuisine

4. Flag-raising events - flags are raised on the courtesy flagpole for 2weeks for special occasions, anniversary and charity days.

5. 'The Green Roofs Demonstration Project' - Creating green spaces on the top of buildings to build towards a healthier city. One project is on the top of the podium roof at City Hall.

6. 'The Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival' - A festival which a multiple of jazz musicians get together for a week long event.

7. 'Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition' - The largest outdoor art exibition in North America, work is shown by established artists and undiscovered talent in this fresh-air approach to displaying art. July 7,8,9- 2006

Cavalcade Of Light, Fireworks

8. 'Cavalcade of Lights' - A month long of spellbinding events in late fall. This includes Toronto's giant Christmas Tree with more than 100,000 lights. To see images click on the following link. http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/cavalcade2006.htm

9. Skating at Nathan Phillips Square - From November the 15th until March the 15th the reflecting pool is transformed into a skating rink. If you don't own skates, you can rent them there for 5 dollars. Christmas lights add atmosphere around the rink at night. However the ice can sometimes be quite wet and slushy. It's used so much and the cooling system can't always keep up with rising temperatures.

10. During spring, summer and autumn the square is busy with activity - concerts, dance performances, and art exhibits.The annual IRIE Music Festival.See http://www.iriemusicfestival.com

11. Winter time is a special time for the people of Toronto, it contains big New Years Eve celebrations as well as the Winter City Festival. This is a 14 day long celebration which practically involves the whole city and caters for many different tastes. Some things on include: cultural events, cuisine, and other interactive events.

12.'First Night Toronto' is a family-orientated festival held every year on New Year's Eve.

13. 2006 Walk For The Homeless - Thousands of people walk a pleasant 5 kilometre trail from Toronto City Hall, around the picturesque harbour front, raising money for a settlement service in Toronto

Xmas night.

special events.

FUTURE EVENTS

To host an event at Nathan Phillips Square, certain guidelines and procedures, based on Toronto's muncipal code need to be adhered to:

The Festival Liason Co-ordiantor must first be contacted on 416-392-7902 to check avaliability of dates for the proposed event.

An application must then be filled out prior to at least eight weeks before the scheduled event and sent to the Festival Liason Co-ordinator.

The activites that wish to be included in the event must be submitted in a report to the Toronto Community Council for approval.

For a list of these guidelinks, concerning such things as animals, food, alcohol, flag raisings please follow the link http://www.toronto.ca/forms/pdf/edct_se_specialeventsguidelines.pdf

Future Winter and Summer Programmes: http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/

Cultural Significance

Nathan Philips Square helped improve public awareness of urban art. Phil Givens successor mayor to Nathan Phillips fought hard for the Henry Moore bronze on the hall's forecourt . He fefended the concept that a high status art conferred a high status world image but lost the next election, seen as a waste of public funds. History vindicates him. Sculptor Henry Moore installed a bronze work called The Archer there in '66, drawing immediate appreciation of urban art where previously there had been little. It was dubbed 'the Henry Moore'; a nickname perpetuated by Murray MacLauchlan's song 'Down by the Henry Moore'.The sculpture is still by far the most popular public piece in the city

Other signifigant features of this urban landscape that reflect the culture of those that inhabit the space are the Peace Garden in the middle of the square that acknowledges the committment of Torontonians to the principles of world peace. These ideals are also reflected in the arches over the pond/ice rink officially named the Freedom Arches which contain a small piece of the Berlin Wall. This piece of masonry can be found lying flat at the base of the centre freedom arch on the south side. Embedded in the arch is also a plaque with the inscription:

The Citizens of Toronto dedicate these arches to the millions who struggled including Canadians, to gain and defend freedom and to the tens of millions who suffered and died for the lack of it. May all that we do be worthy of them.

Only in freedom can the Human Spirit soar.

Against the Human drive for freedom nothing can long succeed. This plaque is mounted on a slab of the Berlin Wall.

People Response

“City Hall wants to know what Torontonians would do to ‘revitalize’ Nathan Phillips Square, the iconic heart of their city. What a mistake!”, John Barber states.

Why can we not address its raised walkways and long forsaken outdoor deck that the twin curved towers that rise through it and still resist the need to cleanse and refashion this modern Toronto UR-space? Is it all about liability insurance and fears of some hooligans jumping off the edge in a show of ego-driven freak show glory? Let’s get with John Barber's admonition and find ways to make it work and not tear it down. The problem is what we have done to it (The bloody Peace Garden) and what we have not (maintenance!). Coloum from http://urbandefender.blogspot.com/2005/05/hands-off-nathan-phillips-square.html

Former Mayor Nathan Phillips presented the sundial located in the Peace Garden to the citizens of Toronto. It is inscribed with the words, "In appreciation of the opportunity to serve." [[2]]

Design competition for Nathan Phillips Square: The council has adopted plans for a design competition to up date the square. A public advisery group was formed and the council supported the recommendations calling for the re opening of City Halls rooftop observatory that overlooked the Square as a component for the design project.Nathan Phillips square provides a uniquely Canadian space where aspects of what makes Canada culturally separate are on full display. These aspects are key when a change is being considered in the design competition.

A stakeholder interview has been made that identifies the needs and issues of the people who regularly use the square. The document is in three sections.

Section 1: Sector and Group Issues and Opinions

Section 2: Facilities and Infrastructure

Section 3: Further Consultation

This is a list of needs/issues identified by the community.

• Accessibility • Parking • Peace garden location • Utilization of Space (the entire square is not used) • Furniture • Raised Walkway • Good for Hosting Events • Un-welcoming • Safety • Lighting/Poor Visibility (sight lines into the square) • Shade • General Appearance (disjointed feeling, maintenance, dressing rooms etc.) • Food Vendors • Homeless people • Permanent Stage • Should be people place: multifunctional, multidimensional

[[3]] http://www.toronto.ca/npsquarecompetition/pdf/appendix_b.pdf

Proposed Developments

Consists of the care of historical buildings, past present and a look into the future so allowing free areas-the potential to use in the future

The scale model was created from the Development and planning Department is colour coded,

with Pink used for historical

Clear buildings show the developing areas

Grey buildings have no plans to have changes made to them

Site SWOT

Strengths

Existing Successes:

The Peace Garden

The Arches

Refection pond/ice rink

the site is large and open, good for people to roam and do nothing. A site this large is important to cities and provides vauble free space in the future of this ever growing nation. people often come here to clear themselves. the water area is also large and provides rough sleepers with water.

Weaknesses

Got To Go:

Bird crap all over the chess tables

Awful bike racks

The chintzy benches

The statue of Winston Churchill

The ratty-looking public bathrooms and skate rental joint

Opportunities

Reprogramming/ Redesigning:

The closed rotunda

Lack of public art

The dead zones

Wasted green space

One of the world's biggest underground parking lots

The absence of a definable entranceway

The closed-to-the-public raised walkways

In the future, there will be so many people on this planet, this large space will prove to be valuble mentally and economically

Threats In the future when land will be extreamly expensive and seeked out for, this park will need to maintain a high standard or otherwise be sold.

Site topography

Climate The weather in Toronto is in quite a contrast to the summer. The winter can be very cold and miserable with heavy snowfalls occuring a few times a winter. Snow begins to melt inbetween the snowfalls and turns into a slush which envitably becomes contaminated with sorts of foul substances and remains as a grey mess. The sun is obscured alot in the winter from the tall buildings. In the summer it is very humid and harsh heat.

Temperature The yearly average temperature in Toronto Canada is 8.9(˚C). The January (winter) high is -1.3(˚C) and the low is -7.9(˚C) the average being -4.6(˚C). The July (summer) high is 26.5(˚C) and the low is 17.6(˚C) averaging 22.1(˚C). This means Toronto’s summers are very warm and there winters are very cold, below freezing.

Precipitation The annual average of rainfall in Toronto is 819(mm). The average days with rainfall are 139 days a year. The average snow fall in Toronto is 134.9(cm)

Significant Landmarks

The Archer in Nathan Phillips Square. Artist:Henry Moore.

Outdoor skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square.

Peace Garden in Nathan Phillips Square.

nathan band in Nathan Phillips Square.

Winston Churchill statue and "speaker's corner" located in the southwest corner of the square are rarely used.

The arches over the reflecting pond/ice rink were officially named "Freedom Arches" in 1989.

Osgoode Hall. A classic example of Victorian Classical architecture

Old City Hall 1888-99. Red sandstone Romanesque Revival style by the legendary EJ Lennox

night view

Freedom Arches

The rink/pool has been spanned by three concrete arches since it was built. In 1989 these were dedicated as Freedom Arches commemorating those who have fought to obtain or defend freedom. At the southern base of the central arch is a piece of the Berlin Wall.

The Square Itself

The square is paved with large concrete slabs. It features an ice rink/reflecting pool at the south end, a peace garden in the middle, and a sculpture called "The Archer" by Henry Moore at the north end in front of City Hall. An elevated concrete walkway runs along the perimeter and allows access to the podium roof of city hall. At the southwest corner of the square, on Queen Street, is a statue of Sir Winston Churchill done by Oscar Nemon.

"The Archer"

Installed in 1966, "The Archer" received its name from the many respected and interested vistors and residents of Toronoto City. Originally the sculpture was entitled the "Three-Way Piece Number 2," and before Architect Viljo Revell passed away he requested to buy the sculpture from his friend Henry Moore for $100,000. A private source later raised the funds to buy the piece

Reflecting Pool/Skating Rink

In Winter a 'chilling system' set up in the concrete floor of the Reflection Pool turns itself into an ice rink. This attractive feature has made Nathan Phillips square famous as a "people place". When the temperature in Toronto gets below 0 degrees celsius, the water turns to ice. In 1989 concrete arches were added to the skating rink, known as Freedom Arches for those who have defended and fought for freedom. The center arch has a slab on the Berlin Wall.

Peace Garden

The garden, located in the centre of the square was opened in 1984 during Toronto's 'Sesquicentennial celebrations'. It consists of trees, an eternal flame, pool, and a cube with a pitch-shaped roof with stone walls. The roof of this structure is made to look damaged as to symbolise conflict and the idea of weakness within civilisations. The eternal flame symbolises the hope and regeneration of mankind. A sundial installed in 1969 designed by GR Johnson and others was presented to Torontonians by Nathan Phillips is also located in the garden and reads "In appreciation of the opportunity to serve." In September, in the same year the garden was installed, Pope John Paul the second lit a flame using an ember from the 'Hiroshima Memorial' in Japan and poured water from Nagasaki into the pool. Queen Elizabeth the second participated in dedicating the garden in October 1984. The garden which symbolises World Peace cost $540,000 to construct and install. It is 600 square metres.

Old City Hall

The Old City Hall is now in complete constrast with its ultra-modern replacement across the street Toronto City Hall. The elegant 19th century Old City Hall now holds Torontos's Law Courts and the Justice Department.In the 1960's it was threatened with demolition but was preserve from the wrecker's ball by the heritage movement after some battle. It as a 100 metre clock tower with gargoyles and grotesques and since the 1970's the building has been done up.

Osgoode Hall

Osgoode Hall is a heritage building located in downtownToronto. The name Osgoode Hall honours William Osgoode the first Chief Justice of the province. Osgoode Hall withstood more than ten major restorations. The front facade vintage wrought-iron gates maintained its originality and is basically unaltered to reflect the 1860 design. Buillt in 1932, it held Canada's first law school. It is now cloose to the Chinatown district.

Toronto City Hall

Designed by Viljo Revell and built in 1961-1965 at a cost of CAN$25,000,000. It was envisioned as an "eye" with two semi-circular buildings representing the upper and lower eyelids, and the great meeting hall in the centre as the pupil. Today this government building located on Queen Street at Bay Street, Nathan Phillips Square, remains sleek, modern, and impressive decades after it was conceived.

Contacts List

National Research Council of Canada

NRC Corporate Communications 1200 Montreal Road, Bldg. M-58 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1A 0R6 Phone: (613) 993-9101 or toll-free 1-877-NRC-CNRC (1-877-672-2672) TTY number: (613) 949-3042 Fax: (613) 952-9907 E-mail: info@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Lateral Architecture

Mason White

B.ARCH M.ARCH

75 Kenneth Ave #2 Toronto ON M6P 1J2 Ph: 416-762-6007 Fx: 416-762-6007 LATERAL@LATERALARCH.COM

Mason is a special lecturer at University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture Landscape & Design.

Toronto Botanical Garden

777 Lawrence Ave. East Toronto M3C 1P2 Phone: 416-397-1340 Web site: www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca

City of Toronto Culture Division

Phone: 416-394-8390

Media servise in National research Council of Canada

Sarah Mangione --- Media Advisor (613) 990-6091

Access Toronto - City's public information and referral service

accessto@toronto.ca 416-338-0338 Call Centre is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Tourism Toronto

ph 416-203-2600; fax 416-203-6753 Mon to Fri 8:30am to 6pm P.O. Box 126 207 Queens Quay West Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7 Canada email toronto@torcvb.com http://www.torontotourism.com/visitor

Toronto Transit Commission

Fares, routes and schedules 24 hours, 7 days a week 416-393-4636 Complaints and commendations 8am - 5pm Mon-Fri 416-393-3030

Albert Campbell Square

Yasmin Carter 416-396-7403 ycarter@toronto.ca

Mel Lastman Square

Heather Stainton 416-395-7415 hstaint@toronto.ca

Metro Hall Square

Kellie Mollins 416-397-9887 kmollin@toronto.ca

Yonge-Dundas Square

(The City of Toronto is a partner in this venue) Patrick Carnegie 416-979-9960 patrick@ydsquare.ca

Contact Nathan Phillips Square

For more information on how to book Nathan Phillips Square for your event, please contact Marguerite Reid:

e-mail: Phone: Fax: mail: mreid@toronto.ca 416-395-7378 416-395-0278 Marguerite Reid Event Support Unit Toronto City Hall 100 Queen Street West 6th Floor West Tower Toronto, Ontario CANADA M5H 2N2

City of Toronto Park Permits

General line 416-392-8188

External links

General information

References

Rose, Damaris. "Comments Made in Panel Session, "The Myth of the Canadian City?"" Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographers. Toronto, 2002. [4]
Drummond, Derek. "In Praise of Modernist Civic Spaces in Canadian Cities." Policy Options Vol 25; Part 2 (2004): 53-58.[5]
[6] "Information on the square". Retrieved 17/7/06.
Accidental City: The Transformation of Toronto, Robert Fulford, published by MW&R, Canada 1995
Baird, D. (2006) Eyewitness Travel Guides: Canada. Duncan Baird Publishers: London, England.
Kraulis, J & McDougall, D. (1983). Toronto. Whitecap books North Vancouver, B.C.

http://www.pps.org/

http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/first_floor.htm

http://www.toronto.ca/accesstoronto/self_guided_tour.htm

http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/81.php

http://www.toronto.ca/accesstoronto/pdfs/toronto_history.pdf

http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/

http://www.toronto.ca/city_hall_tour/nps.htm "Information on the square". Retrieved 18/7/06.

http://www.toronto.ca/special_events/location.htm

http://www.toronto.com/attractions/listing/000-100-249

http://www.toronto.ca/accesstoronto/self_guided_tour.htm

http://localsearch.toronto.com/sp?keywords=&aff=-1&catId=10007&sKey=distance&latitude=43.6519&longitude=-79.3822&maxDistance=1&map=true

http://littleanthonys.sites.toronto.com/