Daniels BuildingDigital Doors Open Toronto

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Daniels Building

Originally home to Knox College, this building later served as a military hospital and laboratory. It is now the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. To create the faculty's new home, the restored historical building has been blended with a contemporary addition that continues to delight visitors. During Doors Open, take a self-guided tour.

A merging of 19th- and 21st-century architecture, the Daniels Building conveys a narrative that parallels the history of the city itself. Situated in a large roundabout, the circular site was originally constructed as a garden with views to Lake Ontario. The original neo-Gothic building was the first home of Knox College, a Presbyterian theological school. Later, it served as a military hospital during the First World War, the home of Connaught Laboratories, and an auxiliary and servicing facility for the University of Toronto. To create the new John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, the historical building was pared back to its roots, restoring original details. The contemporary addition integrates active, creative spaces, iconically represented by the design studio, with its soaring bow-tie truss ceiling and clerestory windows. The Main Hall boasts fins and stripes in charged colours that surprise and delight. As part of Digital Doors Open, check out the video below or consult their YouTube playlists to learn more.

Contact info

1 Spadina Crescent
Toronto, Ontario

https://www.daniels.utoronto.ca

Architecture

Year built: 1875; 2017 restoration
Building type:Educational facilityGreen building
Architect: Smith & Gemmel (restoration by NADAAA)
Architectural style:ContemporaryGothic revival

Dates/hours open

May 27, 10:00am - May 28, 05:00pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.