Building the Future of UTS (Case for Support)

This is the time.

For over one hundred years, University of Toronto Schools has offered a transformative education to exceptional students. These students go on to make a real impact, around the corner and across the world.

All this, in the same halls and within the same walls as the first students who came to the school. We have built an extraordinary past.

Now, we are building the future of UTS. We need $60 million to do it.

And we need your help.

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make this kind of difference.

Jim Fleck C.C. ’49 P ’72 UTS Board of Directors Chair Building the Future Campaign Chair

Building a Foundation “I’ve always thought UTS was a very special school,” says Jim Fleck. “There’s a strong magnetic pull on those who want this high calibre of education.”

“Over the years, UTS has produced leaders in the community, and leadership for the whole country,” he continues, remarking on the 55 Orders of Canada, 20 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Olympians, political and public leaders, and two Nobel Laureates who once called UTS home.

Street West. “That we are staying where we are is so important for an historic and nostalgic sense. UTS is in the heart of the city, located on U of T’s downtown campus, which gives our students access to university facilities,” says Jim. “We’re able to take advantage of this location and moreover, enhance it with this new construction and long-overdue upgraded facilities.”

“There is a pride that we have been able to accomplish all that we have in our current facilities, limited as they are. Imagine what we can accomplish in an even better space.”

“This is the first time since our founding in 1910 that we have asked for this kind of help, to launch such an extensive re-visioning of the school building. In a sense, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make this kind of difference, and we need everybody to give ’til it feels good.”

Thanks to the renewed Affiliation Agreement with the University of Toronto, UTS will be staying at its original home of 371 Bloor 5

A world-class building

for our world-class students.

The Building the Future campaign is one of the most tangible ways to give back to UTS. This is a terrifically worthwhile investment in terms of looking at what the school needs.

Owen Torrey ’17

Building our Future Taylor Shirtliff-Hinds and Owen Torrey, the UTS School Captains for 2016-2017, are off to the next exciting chapter of their lives as they embark on their undergraduate studies at Harvard University.

Confident, creative, and driven, they embody the hard work and dedication emblematic of all UTS students.

“UTS has been one of the most singular things that has led me to where I am now and the person I am now,” says Owen, looking back on his six years at the school. “The academics set UTS apart. We have fantastic staff and students who are brilliant to work with and really help you to grow intellectually.”

some stressful times during the year,” Taylor elaborates, “but your friends are going through the same thing. You’re not alone in the situation. UTS helps bring people together like that.”

UTS students are encouraged not only to excel in the classroom, but to explore various facets of their individuality through extracurriculars. “The fact that there are so many brilliant and robust opportunities at UTS means you really get to explore your interests,” Owen says. “Then, when it comes time to graduate you get a sense of where you want to go from here. I found UTS really formative in that sense.”

At UTS, students and alumni alike know it can be a daunting experience as well. “I was nervous first coming to UTS,” he continues, alluding to the rigorous academic environment.

Yet, even when the workload feels overwhelming, UTS students quickly find how supportive the community can be. “There are 9

This school offers endless ways to get involved with other students as well. “It’s been great to give back to the younger grades,” says Taylor, talking about her experience with the UTS house system. “You get a chance to recreate the same feeling of excitement with them that you first felt when you were their age.”

exciting upgrades to the physical structure of the school, but it keeps at its core the most important aspect of UTS: the students. Taylor puts it beautifully: “This campaign is an investment in the future, and in the students of the future. We are building a facility for future leaders.”

The Building the Future

“The strength of UTS is in its people, not its walls,” says Owen.

“That being said, a better facility will buttress all the fantastic things that are already happening here and make our community that much better.”

campaign is one of the most tangible ways to give back to UTS. This strong sense of community doesn’t end with graduation.

Taylor and Owen take a moment to reflect on the strength of our alumni engagement, which ranges from mentorship programs and career days to creative outlets like Taiko drumming. “We are about to become alumni ourselves,” says Owen. “I hope to give back to UTS in a lot of ways over the coming years.”

It is remarkable that this is the first initiative of this size in the century-long history of UTS. “We’ll finally have a building that fits our academic reputation,” says Taylor.

Taylor and Owen represent much of what is so compelling about the UTS experience. Bright and ambitious, they have thrived in this challenging environment, and are set to launch themselves into the next chapter of their lives.

“The Building the Future campaign is one of the most tangible ways to give back to UTS,” he continues.

“This is a terrifically worthwhile investment in terms of looking at what the school needs.”

Supporting the Building the Future campaign ensures that the unique community and academic experience of UTS will stay strong for the next hundred years and beyond.

Not only will the Building the Future campaign welcome crucial and 10

This campaign is an investment in the future, and in the students of the future. We are building a facility for future leaders.

Taylor Shirtliff-Hinds ’17

It’s up to you to build the future of UTS.

This is an opportunity for the school to reinvent its space to better fit its curriculum... and the incredible accomplishments of its students.

Don Schmitt ’70

Building Innovation Don Schmitt ’70 and Birgit Siber, Principals of Diamond Schmitt Architects, are leading the renovation and expansion of UTS. This is the school’s biggest undertaking, both in its history and for the future.

“My involvement started about seven years ago,” recalls Don, “when we were first investigating the options of either remaining at our current location or potentially being asked to move to a new site.” With the signing of the new Affiliation Agreement, UTS is able to stay at its home, honouring its tradition and its role in the local streetscape. “Being able to retain the school’s history and partnership with the University of Toronto is really powerful.”

halls of his alma mater. “I had been out of the school for a long time and when I came back I thought, ‘Nothing has changed.’

It’s precisely like it was when I was a kid.”

Change is long overdue. Students’ needs today are much different from what they were when the school was first constructed over a century ago. The design envisioned by Diamond Schmitt Architects restores and renovates the historic components of the building while adding state-ofthe-art facilities to create a UTS for the 21st century. “The door

Planning for the redesign of UTS called for Don to revisit the 15

Conceptual rendering of the extension as seen from Huron Street.

Diamond Schmitt Architects

to innovation was opened,” says Don. “This is an opportunity for the school to reinvent its space to better fit its curriculum and pedagogical ambition and the incredible accomplishments of its students.”

these new interiors will work to support the outstanding programming for which UTS is known. The renovation will also house a double gym, a 700-seat auditorium, cutting-edge science labs and arts spaces, a black box theatre, a double-height library, and plenty of spaces for students to get together.

For the first time in the school’s history, UTS will be making environmental sustainability and physical accessibility a priority. The 16 new classrooms will be developed to focus on active learning, with flexibility to suit various teaching styles.

“It’s not about the sage at the stage, but the guide at the side.

The design of the classrooms will facilitate active learning,” says Birgit, emphasizing how

“Any school is about community—the connection that students have with each other and with their teachers.” says Don. “There’s always what happens in the classroom, the lab, the gym, the auditorium— but equally as important is the space between that connects it all together.”

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That was the thinking behind what can be considered the highlight of the planned expansion at UTS: the forum. Flooding the building with natural light, it will act as a crossroads and circulation point that connects all the elements of the school together at multiple levels.

“We’ve had a number of meetings with the local community to talk about the plans for UTS and there has been a lot of good support and engagement,” he says, highlighting that the design is being developed and enhanced in consultation and collaboration with the community.

UTS is proud of its downtown location, nestled at a bustling intersection on U of T’s St. George campus. The new design builds on that relationship, deliberately orienting the school towards the university by moving the main entrance to Huron Street and developing a pedestrian plaza at its northeast corner. “It emphasizes the school’s connection to the city,” notes Don.

Shovels are poised to break ground on this transformation as soon as the $60 million needed is raised. Our building-to-be holds the promise and potential of our school’s future and of the many cohorts of UTS students to come.

It’s time for the UTS community to unite and commit to its realization.

Join us in building the future of UTS from the ground up!

Diamond Schmitt Architects Conceptual renderings of the light-filled forum, athletic facilities, and urban plaza at the corner of Huron Street and Bloor Street.

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Internal features • New state-of-the-art science and computer labs • Athletics facilities will include a double gym, cardio & weight room, physical therapy room, yoga, dance, and exercise studios • Creative arts spaces include two visual arts studios, a suite of music rooms, a black box theatre, and a 700-seat auditorium • Two-storey library and learning commons • Skylight to provide natural light to all four levels • Indoor sky-lit forum with centrally located stairs and lunch commons to be the heart of the school where the community gathers

External features • Restored heritage facade • 33% increase of our footprint, from 90,000 ft2 to 120,000 ft2 • Contribution towards the Robert Street Playing Field • Urban plaza created at Huron Street and Bloor Street to complement the redesigned Huron Street entrance • Huron - Washington Parkette will be redeveloped as a green space in concert with the needs of UTS students and the neighbouring community • UTS will be the northern terminus of the U of T Living Lane

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Conceptual renderings of the proposed renovation and expansion.

Diamond Schmitt Architects 21

It’s going to take all of us getting involved—every one of us who has benefitted from being part of this wonderful UTS community.

Principal Rosemary Evans

Building the Future of UTS “What makes UTS special is our students,” says Principal Rosemary Evans. “Because of our merit-based admissions process, we have motivated students who are full of curiosity, who love learning, and who take initiative. The school provides them with the opportunity to fulfil who they are.”

Rosemary commends the passionate and dedicated team of teachers and staff who support and challenge the students.

“They give our students the space to take initiative. This collaborative effort creates a unique environment I’ve never witnessed anywhere else. What it leads to is innovation.”

research that one of the most definitive ways that students can improve and become highachievers is to be engaged in teaching others. This is built into the DNA of UTS,” says Rosemary. Countless mentorship opportunities exist between students, alumni, and teachers.

Getting students to participate fully in the process of teaching and learning is just one of the ways in which the UTS community sets itself apart.

Students are empowered to take charge of their educational experience. “We know from 23

“This mentorship extends to our relationship with the University of Toronto, which has always been integral to the identity of UTS,” Rosemary continues. “As part of our renewed affiliation we are committed to contributing to the mission of U of T. We do this through excellence in teaching, excellence in research, and in the recruitment of excellent students.”

To that end, UTS has developed meaningful partnerships with U of T. Researchers from the university are invited to work with UTS students, staff, and parents. Recent initiatives have included research into organ transplants, vaccinations, and student wellbeing, with real implications for public health on a global scale. Other exciting work has brought UTS students together with university postdoctoral candidates to collaborate on policies concerning equity and inclusion.

“These partnerships benefit us, but also give us the chance to contribute to the university,” says Rosemary.

“Thanks to our affiliation with U of T, our students have this chance to really fulfil their potential and distinguish themselves.”

additions have been made to expand the space, but UTS has never seen an extensive renovation.

Now it is time to upgrade our facilities so that they can fully support the kinds of innovation happening in the classroom.

Our students have this chance to really fulfil their potential and distinguish themselves.

“The school is not truly about the building,” Rosemary observes.

“There are various aspects that are critical to creating a comfortable environment that facilitates learning and working. So we are creating an institution for the next one hundred years.” Working with the team at Diamond Schmitt Architects, UTS has the chance to create a building that will support exceptional learning opportunities for the future.

“This is a $60-million project,” says Rosemary. “It’s going to take all of us getting involved—every one of us who has benefitted from being part of this wonderful UTS community. If we work together to the extent that is possible and in the ways that are possible, we can make this a reality!”

Another key aspect of the Affiliation Agreement is the need for upgraded facilities. Over the course of the school’s history, 24

There’s a very strong sense of community at UTS. It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are. As long as you have the passion for learning, you are equal.

That feeling of belonging is lifelong.

This is a great cause for parents of former students to support, to allow others to benefit from the UTS experience.

Nasir Noormohamed P ’09, ’10, ’14 UTS Board of Directors (2009-2015) Former UTSPA Co-President

The strength of UTS is in its people, not its walls.

That being said, a better facility will buttress all the fantastic things that are already happening here and make our community that much better.

Owen Torrey ’17

The school meant a tremendous amount to me in my youth. I started at UTS at age 13 and my father died in December of that year. The leadership and teachers became my surrogate parents for those years. Building the Future is a wonderful way to give back.

When you think about it, five or six years of our lives revolved around the school.

Now it’s shaping the future of other youth.

If any of you feel any of the same energy as I did, subscribe to this cause. There is a great base started to build on now.

David Graham ’45, P ’73, ’76, ’78

Talk to us today about joining our Building the Future campaign.

Martha Drake Executive Director, Advancement mdrake@utschools.ca 416.946.0097

Donate online today at btf.utschools.ca

371 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON M5S 2R7 416-978-3919 btf.utschools.ca /utschools