Generous donation helps move U of T’s plans for architecture school ahead

The University of Toronto’s school of architecture is poised to embark on an ambitious upgrading of its College Street home, making use of a $14 million donation by alumnus John Daniels and his wife Myrna. Construction to expand and renovate the newly christened John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design could begin within three years.

Some $9 million of that gift will be allocated for the expansion and renovation project, which has a total price tag of about $20 million. George Baird, dean of the newly christened John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design said the program must be updated before the process of architect selection commences.

Construction could get under way within three years.

The architecture school has occupied the building since the 1960s. The original structure dates back to 1908. It was subsequently expanded in the 1920s and then renovated to accommodate the school after the school of dentistry vacated the premises.

Baird, who was appointed dean in July 2004, said additional space for student studios will be created on the U-shaped third and fourth floors. A fifth floor will be added to house classrooms and faculty offices.

The facility also will be upgraded from an energy-efficiency perspective, Baird said.

The exterior could be re-clad as part of this process. Baird said the school will reap financial benefits in terms of reduced operating costs. But that is only part of the rationale.

“As a design school, we also feel an obligation to set an example when it comes to the environment,” he said. “We like the idea that this would be kind of a demonstration project in terms of making an older, existing building more environmentally responsible.”

Daniels, who received a bachelor of architecture degree from the university in 1950, is chairman and CEO of The Daniels Corp., a real estate development firm.