Between the Lines: Borders, Territory & Space Border Index 1 2 & 3
Zargham Nasir Deborah Rebello Jacob Tersigni
The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Border Index
Introduction
Border Index 1
The Changing Dynamics of the Grocery Store
Border Index 2
The Implications of Accessibility
Border Index 3
The Mixed-Use University
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Introduction Over the semester, our group has analyzed numerous border conditions and scales. When looking at the logistics associated with space and territory, border conditions included and excluded conditions that help construct thresholds. When looking particularly at the three border conditions we analyzed, circulation and accessibility played pivotal roles throughout. At the smallest scale, our research on COVID protocols within a Toronto-based Loblaws helped identify the types of individuals and potential problems associated with this new means of living. As the semester moved forward, our scale continued to increase. When looking at the entire Mattamy Athletic Centre, it became apparent how specific spaces within this building only welcome a particular type of individual. Within this all, the condition of the demographic pushed accessibility to the precipice. As a result of this research, our final border index entailed looking at similar mixed-use conditions at a much larger scale. The opportunity and history of Ryerson University allow our team to track how this type of border condition came to be and how Ryerson is pushing to change this narrative. In all, our border index’s focus on mixed-use buildings reveals the blending of multiple environments. Therefore, this condition provides a multitude of layering taking place.
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
The Changing Dynamics of the Grocery Store This project focuses on the Loblaws at 60 Carlton to explore the border index at its smallest scale. Human interaction and the visible and invisible boundaries set by everyday, almost ignored yet highly necessary aspects for order and hierarchy, are analyzed to produce an overall study of the situation pre- and during COVID-19. According to Kevin Lynch’s Edges and Districts in The Image of the City, “Wherever one proceeds within these limits, one is in a recognizable area. The contrast and proximity of each area, moreover heightens the thematic strength of each.”1 By choosing to focus on the hot table section at this Loblaws, various areas of human interaction are captured through the small-scale lens to showcase these overlooked borders and restrictions caused by visible and invisible boundaries between customers as well as customers and staff. Lastly, David Storey supports this rationale when he states that “Territorial states, with their systems of administration and centralized control, allow for a standardization of currency and economic regulations and may be seen as a more efficient means of political organization than systems of overlapping jurisdictions.” 2 1
Lynch, Kevin. “Edges and Districts” in The Image of the City. Cambridge:
MIT Press, 1960, 65-72 2
Storey, David. “Introduction” and “Territory and territoriality” in Territories: The Claiming of
Space. Abingdon: Routledge, 2012, 1-30.
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Loblaws Supermarket 60 Carlton Street. Toronto, Ontario Constructed in 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens is an historically significant building within the city of Toronto. Over the past 90 years, the exterior facade has remained relatively intact while this building’s interior redeveloped. Ever since it’s purchase in 2004, Loblaws has transformed this entertainment venue into a flagship grocery store. Loblaws on Carlton Street is an experience like no other! Our focus for this first border index will be the hot table region located near the south east corner of the building (called out in blue) . At this scale we will analyze how COVID-19 has shifted the physical, social and economic dynamic within this region of the Loblaws.
Area of Focus
1: 500
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1:150
South Elevation
West Elevation
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Isometric Perspective
1:150
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“The Typical Saturday”
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The Pre-COVID Experience Within the past ten years, numerous grocery stores have integrated the sit-down hot table experience within their stores. The convenience to either pick up or sit down to have a fresh meal is an extremely underrated component of the twenty-first century grocery store. In order to ensure this department operates efficiently at all times, certain protocols and practices have to be exhibited on a day to day basis. As a result, the organization of this space is heavily reliant on user functionality and boundaries. A typical Saturday afternoon (around noon) will be the basis for this first hot table analysis.
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Pre- COVID Diagrams
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Loblaws Identification:
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These forms of identification grant access to restricted areas to store staff, while maintaining a level of authority over the customer
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Latex Gloves: When preparing meals, Loblaws staff must wear latex gloves in order to maintain typical health standards and protocols. Wearing gloves especially with raw proteins ensure that the transmission of germs is minimized.
Hot Table Price Tag:
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Breaks down what the hot table meal is, how its prepared and how much it costs.
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Closed Sign: The sign enforces a restriction that directs the customer toward another checkout point.
Pre-Packaged Meal:
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These containers are used to freshly pack food in for customers by the staff. They tend to generally be more expensive than the pre-packaged food, once again demonstrating a socio-economic boundary.
Areas of packaged foods tend to be separate from those of freshly-served food at the hot table. This creates a social divide between people who tend to pick up food on a timely basis.
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Food Guard: Protects freshly prepared from being breathed on and touched by the customer. This transparent division best showcases products such as pizza and sandwiches without physically compromising these products.
Hot Table Containers:
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Hot Table: Similar to the Food Guard, the Hot table also protects food from being breathed on and touched by the costumer Hot-Tables are only accessible from the interior end by staff. Customers are restricted to simply pointing out the dish of choice.. In addition to this, the hot table also shields from external temperatures in order to maintain the warmth of the meal.
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Pre- COVID Diagrams Continued
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Grocery Cart:
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Manager: Store managers (and staff in general) demonstrate authority through their badges, as well as uniform.
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Very often, customers claim additional seating by placing grocery bags over them.
Grocery carts are often used to create a distance between customers, claim food (as there own) or simply save a seat within hot table seating areas.
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Claiming Territory:
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Line Up Formation: Invisible boundaries created through an in-built understanding of personal space and order form our understanding of line formation.
Counter Tops: Counter-tops produce an obvious border between staff and customers.
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Floor Pattern Deviation: The kitchen space of the interior of the hot-table area uses a tiled pattern while the public space makes use of a synthetic flooring. As a result, this demarcation of floor is a subtle reminder that this interior hot table region should only be accessed by it’s staff.
Security Camera: Security cameras enforce a level of order as staff members pry (in the security room) over every customers movement and actions within this region.
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“The New Norm” The COVID Experience Over the past year, the shopping experience has dramatically altered the landscape of the Loblaws as well as many other grocery stores. New government protocol has dictated factors such as capacity and duration. As a result, the conditions and boundaries has dramatically impacted the hot table region.
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Covid Diagrams
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Face Coverings/ Mask:
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Face coverings and masks allow customers to safely enter the store while protecting those around them from potential disease. The mask has become a well integrated physical boundary during this pandemic.
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Packaged Condiments: Condiments that were previously left open are now packaged to minimize multiple human interactions.
Floor Signage :
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Packaged Utensils: Utensils that were previously left free for customers to pick out individually are not packaged to minimize multiple human interaction.
Debit/ Credit Card Machine:
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During this pandemic, Loblaws has turned to a strict card-payment policy to minimize human interaction through cash.
Floor signage visibly instructs customers to maintain distance as an enforced border condition.
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Cashier Sneeze Guards: Glass shields have been erected to protect cashiers from customers and vice-versa.
Toronto Issued COVID 19 Sign: Signage placed on glass shields demonstrate the need to wear medical facial coverings, maintain distance, and remain hygienic.
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Bylaw Officer: These officers maintain strict order within the store as authority through the uniform instills a sense of abiding with the law in the customer and enforces a need to wear facial coverings.
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Covid Diagrams Continued...
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Seating Restrictions Indoor seating/ dining areas are now shut down due to COVID-19. In order to ensure no one breaks protocol, stools are flipped onto table tops.
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Circulation Through Loblaws Hot Table Based on the conditions COVID-19 has proposed, circulation and accessibility has dramatically changed. Over the past year COVID protocols and lock-downs has seen different types of individuals and the quantities of these individuals dramatically become reduced. As a result, the COVID dynamic has economically handcuffed super markets such as Loblaws.
Types of Individuals (Pre-COVID)
Types of Individuals (COVID)
Loblaws Shoppers:
Loblaws Shoppers
These individuals are free to wander and sit
Due to COVID regulations man dated by the
anywhere around the hot table section other then
Province of Ontario, these individuals are reduced to
behind the counter.
25 % capacity, required masks and the maintaining of six feet apart. Overtime it has become apparent, some of these protocols have become contested topics within the general public.
Hot Table Staff:
Hot Table Staff :
These individuals stay within the confines of the
Based on COVID regulation, the size of this group
hot table section. Primarily they operate behind the
individuals have been essentially cut in half. Hot
counter preparing and packaging food. Periodical-
Table Staff primarily remain behind the counter
ly you will see the staff up keep the surrounding
and maintain their distance from customers. These
seating area.
employees now burden more responsibility as frequent cleaning is now required.
Loblaws Manager:
Loblaws Manager:
This individual periodically checks in on the hot
This individual now has to ensure that all customers
table section. In order to ensure the operation is
and employees are abiding COVID regulations. As
running smoothly, the manager will help check out
a result, managers are now making more frequent
customers from time to time especially if this section
visits within this space.
is busy.
Bylaw Officer: This individual has been brought in to help reinforce safe workplace protocols at all times.
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The Implications of Accessibility This project focuses on the Mattamy Athletic Centre to explore the border index at the medium scale. An analysis of the accessibility of the centre to certain demographic groups was carried out in terms of the visible and invisible boundaries established and the charge that this possession of increased accessibility creates between the groups. According to Laurent Stalder’s Turning Architecture Inside Out: Revolving Doors and Other Threshold Devices, “Openings in the wall ... can render a wall impenetrable yet also connote a potential breakthrough .... Openings not only permit transition but also establish narratives of exclusion or inclusion, control or comfort, cleanliness or privacy, which become inscribed in the daily practice of their use and in turn also influence that use.”1 By choosing to focus on the Mattamy Athletic Centre, a wide spectrum of charge was examined at the medium-scale lens to showcase these often overlooked borders and restrictions caused by the boundaries between the retail customer, retail employee, Ryerson student, and a rink/facility renter. These divisions are further highlighted in the circulatory patterns of each group. Lastly, Stalder supports this rationale when he states that “These various borders made explicit by various narratives thereby constitute spaces that are independent of one another, and confront the proverbial ‘four walls’ with a countless number of autonomous functional spheres that are at 2 times barely distinguishable from one another.” 1
Stalder, Laurent. “Turning Architecture Inside Out: Revolving Doors and Other Threshold Devices.” Journal of Design History,
no. 1 Issue 22 (2009): 75. 2
Stalder, Laurent. “Turning Architecture Inside Out: Revolving Doors and Other Threshold Devices.” Journal of Design History,
no. 1 Issue 22 (2009): 75.
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Mattamy Athletic Centre Mixed Use Building 50/ 60 Carlton Street Toronto, Ontario
Constructed in 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens is a historically significant building within the city of Toronto. Over the past 90 years, the exterior facade has remained relatively intact while this building’s interior redeveloped. Ever since it’s purchase in 2004, Loblaws and Ryerson University has transformed this entertainment venue into a flagship grocery store and state of the art athletic centre. This four-story building contains an NHL sized arena on the 3rd floor and basketball court on the second. The transformation this building has undergone has brought new life into this iconic space.
Elevation
1:200
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Program Section
1:275
Section
1:275
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Circulation Through Mattamy Athletic Centre This section brings forth an analysis of four types of individuals to construct this study of accessibility. Accessibility to the Mattamy Athletic Centre increases with each demographic group down this page. This increased accessibility is mapped out within the circulation diagram for each individual to provide a clear understanding of the limits and divisions within the Centre.
Fourth Floor Types of Individuals
Retail Shoppers: These individuals have accessibility to the retail portion of Loblaws, LCBO & Joe Fresh (Ground Floor
Third Floor
and Second Floor) only during store hours. Colour Path of Travel= Blue
Retail Employees: These individuals have accessibility to the retail and inventory portion of Loblaws, LCBO & Joe Fresh (Ground Floor and Second Floor) before during and after store hours.
Second Floor
Colour Path of Travel= Green
Ryerson Students: These individuals have accessibility to the facilities of the Mattamy Athletic Centre and retail portion of Loblaws during hours of operation.
Ground Floor
Colour Path of Travel = Yellow
Rink Renters: These individuals have accessibility to the facilities of the Mattamy Athletic Centre 1 hour prior and 1/2 hour after ice rental. In addition to this demographic
Below Grade/
must use the retail portion in order to access the
Parking Garage
facilities underground parking. Colour Path= Red * Dashed Red Line denotes that child by his/ her self Between the Lines: Borders, Territory and Space
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Case Study 1: The Retail (Loblaws) Customer
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The Retail (Loblaws) Customer is guaranteed free parking at the “Loblaws-Only” Parking Lot as long as they spend a minimum of $20 and no more than an hour at the store.
CCTV cameras help ensure that only Loblaws customers are accessing the parking space, although this one parking lot exists for the whole centre.
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In order for the Retail (Loblaws) Customer to obtain a charge-free parking spot, it is necessary to acquire a ticket that can be scanned upon checkout at the Loblaws.
The differentiation between the flooring of the street pavement, as opposed to the tiled retail store creates a set boundary between spaces. It also gives an individual the authority of accessing the space as a retail (Loblaws) customer.
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To conclude the process of acquiring free parking, the scanned ticket must be inserted into the lift gate.
The end-receipt of a 1-hour-max shopping errand at Loblaws must account to a minimum of $20 in order for the retail (Loblaws) customer to obtain free parking.
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Case Study 2: The Retail (Loblaws) Employee
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The Retail (Loblaws) Employee possesses increased accessibility and authority in comparison to the Customer through their Employee ID.
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Hot-Tables are only accessible from the interior end by the Retail (Loblaws) Employee. Customers are restricted to simply pointing out the dish of choice.
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Retail (Loblaws) Employees access cold storage areas with ease as opposed to a customer who is restricted outside this zone.
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Retail (Loblaws) Employees access the loading dock and receiving area with ease as opposed to a customer who is restricted outside this zone.
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The Retail (Loblaws) Employee possesses increased access to restricted areas through their knowledge of entry codes, keys, and passes.
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Case Study 3: The Ryerson Student
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A receptionist within the Mattamy Athletic Centre maintains order so that only the Ryerson Student may access or enter the Athletic area of the floor and building.
The gates restrict access to Ryerson students and staff so that only one with a valid fob or student ID may enter the athletic area. An increased form of unease may be felt if an outsider tries to access this space and is denied.
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CCTV cameras enforce a level of order as staff members pry over individuals to maintain order within the building. This adds to the increased charge and unease one may feel if they are not a Ryerson student within that floor.
Gender signs for washrooms may further create negative charge between students and staff who may not associate with either gender.
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The Student ID enables the Ryerson Student to gain increased access to the Mattamy Athletic Centre as opposed to the previous two demographic groups through their ability to enter the sporting facilities.
An access card or fob is possessed by Ryerson Students to enable them to access an increased number of areas within the building that are restricted to the previous two demographic groups.
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Case Study 4: The Rink Renters
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Charge is created between Retail (Loblaws) Customers/Employees and Rink Renters as the latter wrongfully make use of the Loblaws “free” Parking in order to easily access their rented facility for an hour, after which they quickly purchase items at a minimum fee of $20 to ensure free parking.
CCTV cameras help ensure that only Loblaws customers are accessing the parking space, although this one parking lot exists for the whole centre. This may create a form of charge for Rink Renters who knowingly go against this code.
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To conclude the process of wrongfully acquiring free parking, the scanned ticket must be inserted into the lift gate. This act creates charge between Retail (Loblaws) Customers/Employees and Rink Renters as the latter wrongfully make use of the Loblaws “free” Parking.
A receptionist within the Mattamy Athletic Centre maintains order so that an individual may access or enter the Athletic area of the floor so long as they are registered as a rentee for a particular time slot.
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In order for the Rink Renter to wrongfully obtain a charge-free parking spot, it is necessary to acquire a ticket that can be scanned upon checkout at the Loblaws.
In order to make sure that the facility is secure while under the care of the Rink Renter, a form of their ID (e.g., Driver’s License) is exchanged for the lock and key to the venue. This creates a sense of awareness.
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Case Study 4: The Rink Renters Continued
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The Rink Renters are the only ones who can access the rink so long as it is booked by them.
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The Rink Renters then create charge by curving the Loblaws system by purchasing items with an end-receipt of a 1-hour-max shopping errand at Loblaws accounting to a minimum of $20 in order for the them to obtain free parking.
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The Intersection Point Based on our anaylsis, we discovered how important the central escalator was within the Loblaws. Through our circulation diagram, it was determined that this intersection point serves as a universal means of movement for all users within this building.
Area of Focus
1: 1000
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The Mixed-Use University Over time, Ryerson University has been streamlining its architectural program to move from mixed-use buildings to solely Ryerson-only structures as it steps away from blurring its architectural and urban boundaries within the Downtown core. This project looks at a timeline of Ryerson University’s architectural and urban landscape program by focusing on three buildings — the Ted Rogers School of Management, Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex, and the Sheldon & Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre (SLC) — and the strategies adopted by Ryerson to showcase this goal of distinction. Previously, through the incorporation of Ryerson’s educational facilities within already-existing commercial structures, the borders between a university and the rest of the city were blurred. Very often, this ambiguity, characteristic of Ryerson’s architecture, creates for confusion between entering a university facility or simply exiting into a commercial structure. Nevertheless, through the design and construction of buildings that are colossal in size, stamped with the university’s logo, and distinctive in materiality, Ryerson University is emerging as an architecturally unique entity. The university has also pushed this nature of distinction by choosing to manipulate its urban context. This is seen in its futuristic street plan proposals that alter and zone out the street and sidewalk to align with privacy and publicness through wider and narrower pathways and the buffer created by tree-placement. This is considerate of the original nature of the street and how this can be used to benefit the pedestrian first and then vehicular traffic. The university has further capitalized on the urban context through the positioning of its logo and signage around the downtown core to gain a stronger stance as an institution. Through the analysis of Ryerson University’s past planning, and its future proposals that pan eastward along the Downtown Toronto core, it is obvious that this education institution is adamant about standing out within the city by indicating these borders and boundaries. Between the Lines: Borders, Territory and Space
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Ryerson University City-University Interface Toronto, Ontario
Established in 1948, Ryerson Universities core campus is situated within the heart of downtown Toronto. Over the years, Ryerson’s transformation from a pyrotechnical institute to a university has seen a gradual increase in physical infrastructure. What makes Ryerson so distinct is it’s inseparable physical, social and even economic connection to the city of Toronto. As a result, leasing and capitalizing on mixed use zoning instills a very unique and dynamic learning environment.
Legend
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Historical Plan Progression of Ryerson University
Ryerson University Today
1948 Enrolment: 600 FTE GFA: 560,000 SF
1963 Enrolment: 2,900 FTE GFA: 564,000 SF
1970 Enrolment: 6,300 FTE GFA: 941,000 SF
1980 Enrolment: 9,200 FTE GFA: 1,488,000 SF
1990 Enrolment: 11,000 FTE GFA: 1,746,000 SF
2000 Enrolment: 13,000 FTE GFA: 2,273,000 SF
2007 Enrolment: 25,000 FTE GFA: 3,200,000 SF
2019 Enrolment: 38,000 FTE GFA: 4,000,000 SF
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Ryerson University Property Plan (Existing)
Ryerson University Zoning Bylwaw Plan As per the City of Toronto Land Use Plan
Legend Legend
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Ryerson University Properties Ryerson University Property Axo (Existing)
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Circulation Through Ryerson’s Campus This section brings forth an analysis of four types of individuals to identify the extensive circulation traveling through Ryerson’s campus on a daily basis. Based on these four demographics we targeted, accessibility and understanding of the site plays a pivotal role in identifying the Universities extremely layered site.
Types of Individuals
Retail Shoppers: These individuals have accessibility to nearby retail. This includes the stores such as Canadian Tire, Best Buy, Loblaws and even the Toronto Eaton Centre. This type of individual may not be aware of the nearby university.
Retail Employees These individuals have accessibility to the retail and inventory portion of these stores before during and after store hours. This type of individual may not be aware of all surrounding university infrastructure.
Professionals These individuals may have accessibility to the facilities depending on their profession. Affiliation to Ryerson University could result in a deeper understanding of the campus’ layout and accessibility to these facilities.
Ryerson Students Legend
These individuals have accessibility to Ryerson housing, educational and athletic facilities scattered throughout the campus. This type of individuals has the greatest geographical understanding campus as a whole.
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Ted Rogers School of Management 55 Dundas Street West Located on the corner of Dundas Street East and Bay Street, the Ted Rogers School of Management takes on many different identities. Constructed in 2006, this mixed use building houses the tenants Canadian Tire, Best Buy, and Marks Work Warehouse on the ground floor. In addition to this, there is also a central corridor point on Bay Street to access the Toronto Eaton Centre. Ryerson’s presence is truly felt on the North Eastern side of the building. The glass open lobby leads all those who enter to the Ted Rogers School of Management. From floors 2-8, this building has numerous classrooms, lecture halls, labs and other gathering spaces including an outdoor courtyard. Once within these educational confines Ryerson’s presence is truly felt.
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1 1 4
3
3
1
Northern Elevation
1:300
Section
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Case Study 1: The Mixed Use Building
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The presence of corporations such as Canadian Tire, Best Buy and even Mark’s Work Warehouse is truly felt throughout the entirety of the building. When analyzing the ground level, the location and size of these signs become the focal point.
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Consistent cladding and brick veneer insinuates that this is one large commercial building for multiple big box tenants.
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Storefront glazing and entrances build on the idea that this is one large building with commercial tenants and an additional entrance to the Toronto Eaton Centre. Based on these big box stores overwhelming presence, Ryerson is no where to be found at the street level.
Ryerson’s secluded entrance on the north west corner is far from the feature corner space on Bay St. Based on the lack of signage on the ground level, an individual could easily get confused and enter this educational domain.
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Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex 288 Church Street Located at Church and Dundas, the Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex (DCC) is an award-winning mixed-use development that stands above the rest of Ryerson University. This multifunctional hub houses innovative academic space, administrative offices, student accommodations and more. Designed to be a welcoming and inclusive home for living and learning, this development includes a residential tower and an academic and administrative podium. The 28-story tower brings together four schools of the Faculty of Community Services (FCS) and FCAD’s Creative Technology Lab in a state-of-the-art facility and demonstrates how Ryerson can leverage its downtown location as an urban campus while promoting dense, mixed-use vertical growth, and create a vibrant public realm.
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Western Elevation
1:300
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The low barrier to entry and accessibility provided by escalators, elevators and staircases help make the university space feel open to the public. The ease of accessibility allows individuals to easily travel between various floors and various departments within the complex. This accessibility further blurs the line between public space and private university spaces. The café on the main floor acts as a communal space that is accessible to both the outside public, Ryerson university students and residents of the complex. The welcoming nature of the shop emphasizes the notion of public space in the private development.
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Floors 3 to 6 of the development are a combination of schools / faculties, shared spaces and research labs. Positioned between the public main floors and the private residences above, these floors standout as grey areas where both public and private spaces meet, yet are separated.
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Floors 8 to 28 serve as the residential arm of the complex and are the final step in the transition from the public ground spaces, to semi-private school spaces and lastly to the private residences. Through dedicated spaces for private dwellings, the line of who the building is for is further blurred as groups of private residents, university students and the general public
4 Residence
Advisor
Study / Lounge
Grad Lounge
Study / Lounge
Administration
Centre for Teaching and Education
School of Nutrition
Study / Lounge
School of Nursing
Study / Lounge
3
Shared Research Labs
School of Nursing
School of Public Health
Study / Lounge
1 2
Cafe
Study / Lounge
Galleria
Digital Fabrication Lab
Parking Level 1
Parking Level 2
Parking Level 3
Section
1:300
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Sheldon & Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre 341 Yonge Street The Ryerson Student Learning Centre was constructed between 2009 and 2015 and is located on the Yonge St. Retail Corridor. It is a library and student centre designed by Zeidler Partnership Architects. The design starts with a raised platform facing the south that opens the street corner for a broad range of activities. Described as part plaza, part porch, the space creates a welcoming but shielded urban space that exhibits the dynamic between both the city and student lifestyle. The facades of the building are made of digitally printed fritted glass that wraps around the rugged armature and pared-down aesthetic of the naked concrete structure.
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1
3
4
Northern Elevation
2
1:300
Section
1:300 1:300
Section
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Case Study 1: The Exclusively Ryerson
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4
The curvature and angular nature of the SLC creates for a standout in terms of architecture, apart from any other structure around. This is solely attributed to a Ryerson-only building.
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This prominent Ryerson building has a frontal staircase that is its sole entrance.
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The SLC stands out due to its materiality which is digitally printed fritted glass. The reflectivity of this glass adds to its prominence.
The SLC is present as a corner structure, which adds to its prominence as students and pedestrians are faced with the large structure.
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Presence: Strategic Signage and Lighting
The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Ryerson’s Future Development Throughout Ryerson Universities history, the school has managed to gradually grow through the practice of leasing strata buildings. Through the integration of these educational spaces, Ryerson has contributed to the City of Toronto’s rezoning within it’s downtown core. Mixed use domain now surrounds Ryerson’s campus. In 2020, Ryerson proposed a new growth model to help develop the universities existing and new building infrastructure. Unlike the University of Toronto, Ryerson has to contend with a soaring land market This model proposes multiple ways to compensate for the Universities lack of prime space. Although Ryerson resides within institutional zoning, it needs more space to grow. In addition to this, their presence within the mixed use domain, needs to be more distinct and established. Through the central factors of presence and connectivity, here are some of the future trajectories of Ryerson Universities continued growth.
Connectivity: Street Transformation and Accessibility
Presence: High Rise Redevelopment
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Proposed Street Section Church Street
Present
Legend
Proposed
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Ryerson Signage Monolith Building ID (10.1) Wallmount Building ID (10.3) Ryerson Entrance Building Signage
Ryerson University ‘RU’ Icon Building Signage 2004
Post & Panel Building ID (10.2)
Ryerson University Glazing Signage 2012
Ryerson University Building Entrance Signage (varies based on development)
Legend Building Name Signage (varies based on development)
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
Ryerson University Future Highrise Development
*Yellow depicts maximum building envelope and height of future highrise developments Between the Lines: Borders, Territory and Space
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The Varying Scales of the University Border: Nasir, Rebello & Tersigni
A
New West Park Building Area and Height (Estimated): New Net GFA: 820,000 SF Height: up to 105 m Built-Form & Public Realm Opportunities: • Human-scaled development with relationship to adjacent streets and the surrounding community. • Stepbacks to shape the building • Opportunities for green roofs and terraces. • Setbacks on the north and south sides provide for wider streetscapes with trees along Gerrard and Gould Street(s). Frontage: • Opportunity for frontages and entrances on Gerrard and Gould Street(s) Animation: • Opportunity for a transparent ground level that animates the streets.
B
New East Park Building Area and Height (Estimated): New Net GFA: 170,000 SF Height: up to 125 m Built-Form & Public Realm Opportunities: • Opportunity to create a pedestrian-oriented development at the corner of Church and Gerrard Street(s). • A tower, along with the proposed stepbacks, create optimal relationships with the surrounding neighbourhoods. Frontage: • Opportunity for frontages and entrances on Gerrard and Gould Street(s) Animation: • Opportunity for a transparent and permeable ground level that animates the fronting streets.
Legend
• The corner at the intersection can also provide a highly recognizable entrance- through distinctive architecture, public art and improved public realm. • Space at grade for cafes, galleries, event space, social space and university-wide, student-facing functions.
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ARC465 Between the Lines: Borders, Territory & Space Winter 2021 - Daniels Faculty