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Architecture General

Competing Modernisms

Toronto's New City Hall and Square

by (author) George Kapelos

introduction by Christopher Armstrong

Publisher
Dalhousie Architectural Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2015
Category
General, Public, Commercial & Industrial, Criticism
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780929112688
    Publish Date
    Sep 2015
    List Price
    $39.95

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Description

The 1958 Toronto City Hall and Square competition was the largest competition of its era. It attracted over 500 entries from architects across the globe, even more than the 1956 Sydney Opera House competition. Finnish architect Viljo Revell's winning scheme became an icon for the city of Toronto and presented a vision for the future of civic buildings and public spaces worldwide. However, little attention has been paid to the other entrants and the subsequent impact of this competition on Canadian architectural culture. This book discusses the impact of this competition on the design of public institutions and urban public spaces in Canada, and reflects on the value of architectural competitions as modern architecture developed in the mid-20th century.

About the authors

George Kapelos' profile page

Christopher Armstrong is co-author, with H.V. Nelles, of The Painted Valley: Artists Along Alberta's Bow River, 1845-2000.

Christopher Armstrong's profile page