Ontario Construction News staff writer
The firm of the architect who designed the Ontario Science Centre expressed dismay at the Ontario government’s decision to “abruptly, rashly, and permanently” close the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) and is offering free services to repair the building.
“We offer our architectural services pro bono to the Government of Ontario to realize the necessary roof repairs and we encourage the structural and building science community to similarly offer pro bono services for this scope to accomplish the recommended repairs immediately,” Moriyama Teshima Architects said in a statement. “The offer of our services, combined with funding that has been generously offered by members of the community, should leave zero barriers for the province to reverse this decision and pursue a path that will keep this vital resource safely operating for years to come.
“We are optimistic that the government will listen to the voices of our community and move forward with a revised plan for the OSC.”
In a surprise announcement last week, the Ministry of Infrastructure said the iconic 1969 Don Mills, a building designed by the late Raymond Moriyama, would immediately close due to structural concerns detailed in a report by Rimkus Consulting Group which said the building’s roof was at risk of collapsing in heavy rain or snow.
“The government’s recent decision to abruptly, rashly, and permanently close the OSC was a shock,” MTA said. “We have never swayed from our belief that this institution must be preserved and is a critical part of the province’s identity—a place of wonder and discovery for Ontarians and visitors alike”.
When it became public that the Government of Ontario intended to move the Ontario Science Centre (OSC), Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA) released a public statement regarding our firm’s position on that decision. The substance and sentiment of that letter still stands for MTA
MTA is encouraging ongoing explorations for keeping the doors open at the Don Mills Road location—ways to revitalize both the site and building.
“Additionally, rejuvenating the building is the only pathway to the necessary reduction in carbon associated with new building materials,” the firm stated, adding preliminary analysis has identified a new building at half the size, such as the one proposed for the Ontario Place site, would have seven times the embodied carbon impact compared to reusing the existing building.
Regenerating and revitalizing the building and its site “is the only responsible approach in the climate emergency,” according to the architecture firm.
The Ontario Science Centre was one of many architectural projects initiated by the federal government in the lead-up to the Centennial of Confederation in 1967—collectively known as the Centennial Projects.
“We believe that the existing building on Don Mills Road should be rejuvenated and retained as the Ontario Science Centre—a function for which it was purpose-built. There is considerable potential for the existing building to be further augmented to continue to serve as an essential community anchor for this growing neighbourhood”.
With multiple new housing developments being planned, the area could become a major urban node supported by the coming intersection of the Eglinton Crosstown and Ontario Line subway.
“The Rimkus engineering report makes it clear that closing the OSC is not a necessity,” MTA said in the statement. “Repairs are needed, but on a manageable scale and with potentially minimal impact on the public experience of the building.”