The Wychwood Library is an Exemplar of The Application of Core Heritage Conservation Principles

The Wychwood Library is an exemplar of the application of core heritage conservation principles that reflect a respectful and complementary relationship between an existing heritage building and a new modern addition. It also reflects the importance and role of a well-designed, quality public realm in making this relationship successful. The heritage building is well-preserved and enhanced; it remains the prominent feature of the overall built form on the site, especially during the day. The new building addition is respectfully recessed back from the existing façade so that it does not detract from the heritage form and elements. 

The balance of solid and transparency also adds a lightness to the new building, in contrast to the solidity of the existing building. The materials used for the addition – in particular the dark stone emphasizes this receded positioning and creates a quiet façade to respect the prominence of the red brick and the intricate detailing and architectural design of the existing building. In the daytime, the existing building has more presence and is obviously the architectural form that is celebrated. Conversely, at night, except for the arched entranceway, the existing building almost disappears into the darkness, giving room for the new addition to be centre stage as it glows as a beacon along the street.

The design of the public realm brings the old and new built form together by creating a cohesive context, using a simple palette of quality hard and softscape materials that are complementary to both building styles. The neutral colour and materiality of the hardscape is continuous to the base of the heritage building, which helps to ground the building in place and create a sense of calm ground plane. Even the choice of plant material is well thought through, using red maples that provide a green contrast in the summer and are a complementary to the building in the fall, together with a simple mass planting of purple flowering sage adjacent to seating which creates a welcoming visual and sensual experience for those using the front plaza. 

The public realm along the adjacent side street is planted with linden trees which will achieve a canopied gateway that is additive to a very green neighbourhood. The rear of the building provides an element of surprise in which the hipped roof tower form and stack of the heritage building is remarkedly framed and accentuated by the grey stone and structure of the new built form.

Project Information

Architect: Shoalts & Zaback Architects Ltd.

Landscape Architect: The Scott Wentworth Landscape Group Ltd.

Engineer: H.H. Angus & Associates Ltd.

Heritage Consultant and Collaborating Architect: Philip Goldsmith Architect 

Structural Engineer: RJC

Civil Engineer: Josselyn Engineering

Developer/Owner/Client: Toronto Public Library

General Contractor: Steelcore Construction Ltd.

Photographer: Doublespace Photography