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Diamond Schmitt Architects

Diamond Schmitt Architects

Toronto, ON, CA | Vancouver, BC, CA | New York, NY

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Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto, Canada, with iconic photos from the Black Star Collection on the facade
Ryerson Image Centre in Toronto, Canada, with iconic photos from the Black Star Collection on the facade
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Ryerson Image Centre

The Ryerson Image Centre (RIC) opened in Toronto at Ryerson University in September, 2012.  The School of Image Arts, housed in a windowless former brewery warehouse for 50 years was renovated and expanded by Diamond Schmitt Architects to accommodate an international centre for photography. This gateway building is now an open and legible program that engages with the campus and community.

The centerpiece of RIC's archives is the world-renowned Black Star Collection - 292,000 photojournalistic images amassed by the Black Star photo agency in New York from 1910 to 1992. RIC has multiple gallery spaces, state-of-the-art archives and research facilities.

The façade is wrapped in a double-skin glass cladding that conceals an LED lighting system. This feature won the 2012 AL Light & Architecture Design Award for Best Use of Colour. Programmed and interactive light displays animate the facility at night.

In July, 2013 RIC won the SCUP/AIA-CAE Award for Excellence in Architecture for adaptive reuse.

The free admission gallery has year-round programming of photography exhibitions and talks.

For a :90 sec video of the lighting feature go to: www.dsai.ca/videos-podcasts/ryerson-image-centre

 
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Status: Built
Location: Toronto, ON, CA
Firm Role: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Additional Credits: Consullux Lighting Consultants/CEL

 
Ryerson Image Centre has an interactive light feature that wraps around all four sides of the building
Ryerson Image Centre has an interactive light feature that wraps around all four sides of the building
Ryerson Image Centre anchors the campus and is adjacent to a public square and pedestrian street
Ryerson Image Centre anchors the campus and is adjacent to a public square and pedestrian street
The interactive lighting feature reflects in the waters of Lake Devo
The interactive lighting feature reflects in the waters of Lake Devo
RIC mounts exhibits from - and inspired by - the 292,000 images of its Black Star Collection
RIC mounts exhibits from - and inspired by - the 292,000 images of its Black Star Collection
Ryerson's School of Image Arts shares space with the Ryerson Image Centre
Ryerson's School of Image Arts shares space with the Ryerson Image Centre
Before and After 1: The School of Image Arts was housed in a windowless former brewery for 50 years
Before and After 1: The School of Image Arts was housed in a windowless former brewery for 50 years
Before and After 2: The School of Image Arts now has visibility and connectivity with the campus
Before and After 2: The School of Image Arts now has visibility and connectivity with the campus