Archinect - News 2024-09-16T14:51:11-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150434527/moriyama-teshima-architects-opposes-shock-closure-of-ontario-science-centre-in-new-letter Moriyama Teshima Architects opposes 'shock' closure of Ontario Science Centre in new letter Josh Niland 2024-06-26T15:26:00-04:00 >2024-06-27T14:31:53-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/ee/ee04df5d16cc240b84662f0de53cee76.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p><a href="https://archinect.com/moriyamateshima" target="_blank">Moriyama Teshima Architects</a>&nbsp;has provided a <a href="https://mtarch.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OntarioScienceCentre_MTA-Statement.pdf" target="_blank">statement</a> in rebuke of the sudden closure of its late founder&nbsp;<a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/429196/raymond-moriyama" target="_blank">Raymond Moriyama</a>&rsquo;s beloved Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. The closure was announced Friday by the provincial government, citing the need for repairs in many of its RAAC roof panels in the interest of public safety.&nbsp;</p> <p>The issue is another salient note in the <a href="https://archinect.com/news/article/150335076/toronto-s-proposed-ontario-place-redevelopment-is-getting-even-more-contentious" target="_blank">controversial</a> Ford administration-led plans to remove the structure as part of the proposed redevelopment of <a href="https://archinect.com/news/tag/2073867/ontario-place" target="_blank">Ontario Place</a> and has been called into question by critics <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/art-and-architecture/article-doug-ford-killed-the-ontario-science-centre/" target="_blank">Alex Bozikovic</a> and <a href="https://www.canadianarchitect.com/closing-science-centre-unnecessary-says-firm-of-architect-who-designed-building/" target="_blank">Elsa Lam</a>. Each responded with the position that the government's reading of the engineers' report is wrong and meant to favor prospects for a new development.</p> <p>"The Rimkus engineering report makes it clear that closing the OSC is not a necessity," the letter states decidedly. "Repairs are needed, but on a manageable scale and with potentially minimal impact on the public experience of the building."</p>