| From: | Scott Mabury, Vice-President, University Operations, Co-chair of the Landmark Committee Donald Ainslie, Principal of University College, Co-chair of the Landmark Committee |
| Date: | December 9, 2015 |
| Re: | Winning Team picked in Landscape of Landmark Quality Competition |
The University has chosen a consortium to lead work on the Landscape of Landmark Quality initiative. The winning team is made up of KPMB Architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), and Urban Strategies.
In May of this year, the University initiated an innovative design and ideas competition for the revitalization of the major public spaces at the centre of the historic St. George campus. Four teams representing a range of architectural and landscape philosophies were shortlisted in June to compete, through an open RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process. As part of the project, the University short-listed four design teams to make proposals regarding the development of a master plan for major design and public realm improvements to the landscape around King’s College Circle, University College, and Hart House. On September 28, each team’s proposals were introduced to the University and city community at Convocation Hall.
The proposals, complete with design boards created by each of the teams, were on public display twice at locations on the St. George campus before a public comment period ended on October 21. Responses were also solicited via an online survey which received over 600 responses. Based on the proposals, the public comments, and the University’s criteria (embodied in the project goals identified early on in the process by a committee that included faculty, students, alumni, and staff), the University chose the consortium of KPMB Architects, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA), and Urban Strategies.
The University and the winning team will now begin a period of extensive public consultation, working with the University community, our neighbours, and the City of Toronto. The schedule requires the winning team to submit a plan in September 2016 that includes design details, an outline of engineering needs, and estimates of the duration and cost of the project.
A story about the selection has been posted on the U of T News site. For more information about the Landmark Project, visit landmark.utoronto.ca.