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OCAD designer unveils iconic building at FILMPORT

Posted by Staff / August 8, 2007

15 Comments

Filmport - Rear Perspective
Although it was previously reported that Will Alsop's design would resemble a previous "cloud-like" design of his, instead a big red building resembling a cheese-grater was unveiled earlier today. This 11-storey building was inspired by the ships that have been part of the heritage of the Port Lands heritage. The main floor will be a large interactive space, the second floor will be a public event space, and the upper floors will be used for offices.

So what do you think?

I like the red sleekness of this side of the building, but the rendering of the other side of the building just plain scares me. Brace yourself.

Perhaps this second rendering lacks clarity of detail, but the blob attached to the main entrance has no business being there. I wouldn't want to defend that part of the project to a jury of critics.

Filmport - Front Perspective

Discussion

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Adam / August 8, 2007 at 05:07 pm
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The 'blob' in question at the entrance must have been the cloud design Alsop was referring to. I like the look in general, but this is one of those designs I think you'll just have to see in person first before you can make a good judgement.
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Gloria / August 8, 2007 at 05:09 pm
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<p>I actually really like the red, and the horizontals, but the blob at the entrance and the blob-like cut-outs need to go. Blobs don&#39;t belong anywhere in architecture, really. </p><p>(I don&#39;t like the blobiness of the carvings on Osgoode Hall either. It&#39;s too biological for me.) </p>
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Sean Galbraith / August 8, 2007 at 05:10 pm
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The Design Review Panel meetings will be a riot. This is the same guy who wants to remove all built form development (and use) restrictions from the City.
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Tim / August 8, 2007 at 05:13 pm
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I think it&#39;s great. Would probably look amazing with some snow on it.
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Samuel / August 8, 2007 at 06:05 pm
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Judging from the scale it looks like the blob will be pretty big....once this place is built I think everyone will love it...take a million photos and post them on flickr....get it on postcards etc
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lee / August 8, 2007 at 06:35 pm
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<p>I do like most of it, but Will Alsop might be running out of ideas.&nbsp; The blobs along the side and across the top are exactly the same as his ugly, cut out blobs in the West Side Lofts sales building...&nbsp; </p><p>I guess it could be worse. The blobs could have been in the shape of film cannisters or something &quot;filmy&quot; </p>
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Rick / August 8, 2007 at 06:47 pm
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<p>I like the glass part on one side, but the red side is hideous!</p>
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A.R. / August 8, 2007 at 08:49 pm
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Bring it on, and don&#39;t compromise the materials!
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Jill / August 8, 2007 at 08:58 pm
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Understated (for Alsop). Airporty.
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protogenes / August 8, 2007 at 09:18 pm
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Nasty. Makes the Paramount look like art...ok nothing could do that, but nasty just the same.
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rogeroger2000 / August 8, 2007 at 10:34 pm
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<p>I think it looks great, blob(s) and all.</p><p>Hardly anyone kicks a fuss when the countless EasyRock condos go up, yet the minute architecture gets interesting and challenging, people freak.&nbsp; I&#39;d take this anyday over another Hairdo Trump Tower.</p>
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aidan / August 8, 2007 at 11:06 pm
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<p>Damn I&rsquo;m tired of architectural narcissism. Wish builders, financiers, politicos and architects would burn their copies of &ldquo;The Fountainhead&rdquo;. Let&rsquo;s leave the justification of sociopathy to the 20th century.</p> <p>Given what the species has done to the planet, so far, you&rsquo;d think we&rsquo;d mandate or laud buildings healthy for the environment, and healthy as an environment for its users. </p>
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Mark Dowling / August 9, 2007 at 12:14 am
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<p>A pretty bracing view from Reading Toronto</p><p><a href="http://www.readingt.readingcities.com/index.php/toronto/comments/12115/&;nbsp;">http://www.readingt.readingcities.com/index.php/toronto/comments/12115/&;nbsp;</a></p>
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MattAlexander / August 9, 2007 at 10:32 am
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<p>Will Alsop has to start making INTERIORS that are worth talking about.</p><p>This looks like a shoe box when some construction paper taped to the side (which I guess is an improvement on the OCAD shoebox with holes punched in the sides.)</p>
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pants / August 14, 2007 at 09:46 am
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would have to agree with he above - once his interiors speak as loudly as the outside, then this thing could be up for discussion. right now it just looks like something that doesn't fit in, and that seems to be the reason justifying it's existance?

i studied at ocad, and admittedly - at first greatly discussed the look from the outside, but slowly over time the outside aesthetic truly grew on me. however, the inside was so bloody mundane and normal, it caused for a sort of hate - everyone perceives the building as so avant garde and yadda yadda, but the actual SPACE that we were using on he inside was not insperational to say the least.
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