Thursday, June 20, 2013Clear 13°C
Arts

Tearing Down Andrews' Architecture

Posted by Sookie / January 16, 2007

160107_CNtower.jpgAustralian architect John Andrews was considered a groundbreaking genius in the sixties, fashioning plans based on a new kind of architecture: brutalism. He'd achieved Mr. Big status after completing Scarborough College for the University of Toronto and went on to build the tallest freestanding structure in the world - our beloved CN Tower. Back in the day concrete was king and brutalism was associated with a brave new social utopian ideology. Nowadays, people like Prince Charles refer unfavourably to the works as "piles of concrete". "Rubbish", I say. While they can sometimes give off a gloomy, almost heavy feel to the city blocks they dominate, they are as much a part of the urban landscape as the sidewalks and steel. In btonbrut's blogTO video called brutopia eclipsed we're shown other landmarks Andrews has created while questions arise as to why some are being destroyed.

Discussion

1 Comment

steve / January 16, 2007 at 03:54 am
user-pic
I grew up in the neighbourhood around Scarborough campus and I remember seeing it rising out of the trees in valley as I was driven along Morningside Avenue when I was a kid. I also remember playing in the valley below and on the campus a few years later when I went to a public school nearby.

Later, while in high school, I would end up at the campus for seminars or to use the library for research projects.

I always felt like I was living in the future when I would see it. I think it still has a strong modern presence that is too frequently poo pooed by those who want more Victorian trash (not that I don't love a good Victorian building... I just don't like the terrible replicas we seem to have glommed onto).

I love that building.

Add a Comment

Other Cities: Montreal