Doors Open Toronto 2011 Featuring City in Focus: Architecture + Photography

Photo-Collage: Doors Open Toronto 2011
Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2011
Get Advice on Architectural Photography
Credit: City of Toronto: 2011 Doors Open Toronto

"Never underestimate the power of architecture. Though Toronto doesn’t possess the architectural depth of some cities, what we have we love. That has been demonstrated again and again by Doors Open ..."
Christopher Hume Urban Issues, Architecture
thestar.com: Doors Open: When private spaces become public

One of the must-see events in May is Doors Open Toronto. This inspiring urban exploration is our busman's holiday and it's a brilliant occasion to see some of the great architecture and buildings Toronto has to offer.

This year's 12th edition of Doors Open will be held on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29 and will focus on photography in order to capture the multifaceted panoramas within Toronto's history.

There are close to 150 buildings to choose from, but the following ones are on the top of our list, either for design or environmental reasons or just personal interest:

AGATHOM Co. - The Formerly Building - NEW!
3 Gilead Place, Toronto, ON M5A 3C8
Event information: A street level art and architecture studio & workshop within an industrial warehouse. Oversized doors open interior to narrow alley setting. Aspects of the original building's wide range of uses are evident throughout the spaces. Even vintage Land-Rovers adorn the rooms. Architects will be present for lively discussions on both days. On display will be a wide range of architectural models, photographs, drawings and illustrations. Children are welcome.

ARIDO/IDC (The Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario ), Toy Factory Lofts - NEW!
43 Hanna Ave, Toronto, ON M6K 1X1
Event information: Tour ARIDO and IDC's new home in the Toy Factory Lofts, Liberty Village. Designed by modo, the space features beautiful sightlines, exposed beams, sleek touches of steel and glass as well as furnishings by design icons. Visitors can speak with interior designers who will be on hand to answer questions about the space and view 75 years of interior design photo archives.

Cannon Design - NEW!
200 University Ave 1200, Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Event information: Cannon Design will mount an exhibit of photography specially curated for Doors Open that explores how architects view the city entitled: “Toronto: City in Focus.” The large scale photographs will be displayed throughout the studio for visitors to view as they experience Cannon Design’s studio space. Models and images of completed projects as well as projects at every stage of design and construction will be displayed.

Central Neighbourhood House - NEW!
349 Ontario St, Toronto, ON M5A 2V8
Event information: Come experience an archival photo exhibit showcasing the first four decades of the 100 year old Central Neighbourhood House, as well as a short documentary that celebrates the campaign theme 100 Years of Neighbours. Historians and local photographers will be on hand to offer insight into the organization’s rich history. A visit to the Rooftop Garden and Playground, as well as tours of the building, will be available.

Corkin Gallery - NEW!
55 Mill St 61 , Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
Event information: Guided tours Sunday at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Brigitte Shim, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects will lead two guided tour of both front of house and back of house spaces. Current exhibition at the Corkin Gallery during Doors Open 2011 - "Kertesz in Toronto – Photographs from 1978 to 1981" from April 28 – June 12, 2011.

Distillery Historic District Denaturing Room (Building 47) - NEW!
55 Mill Street 47 , Toronto, ON. M5A 3C4
Event information: For the first time, the Distillery District invites visitors to explore the Denaturing Room and three new displays of industrial heritage artifacts. “Denaturing” explains the process of creating industrial alcohol from pure alcohol. “Coppersmithing” examines the tools and practices adopted by Gooderham & Worts’ own artisans, who turned out everything from ladles and buckets to huge storage tanks. “Maintenance” celebrates the underappreciated carpenters, plumbers and other workers, who kept the distillery functioning for over 150 years.

Empress Building - NEW!
124 Merton St, Toronto, ON M4S 2Z2
Event information: Vivian Reiss is an internationally renowned painter, designer and pioneer in urban farming, who specializes in combining the visual beauty of gardens with their applications on the dining table. She will be on hand to explain how to transform the workplace through landscape, architecture, and art. Visitors can tour the rooftop and courtyard green roof vegetable gardens where 37 varieties of heritage tomatoes are grown as well as organic lettuce.

Humber Arboretum Centre for Urban Ecology
205 Humber College Blvd, Toronto, ON M9W 5L7
Event information: Visit the Humber Arboretum & Centre for Urban Ecology -a favorite location for photographers interested in modern architecture and nature alike. This site is where many Humber College photography, landscape, design, and media arts students learn their craft. Accordingly, student and staff work will be on display in the Centre with building and landscape tours scheduled throughout the day.

In addition to the photography programming, Doors Open Toronto is launching a new program initiative called "Ask A Photographer". At select venues throughout the city, expert photographers will be available to offer advice on architectural photography.

2011 Doors Open Toronto will officially launch on Friday, May 27 when the Royal Ontario Museum opens its doors to the public for free from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Oh, and by the way, when you attend the event, be sure to take your camera with you and do not forget to upload your best photos to the Doors Open Ontario 2011 Digital Photo Contest online and to the Doors Open Toronto Photography Contest "City in Focus 2011".

Good luck!

Doors Open Toronto 2011 open data can be downloaded from the City's Open Data web site.
Download a variety of Doors Open Toronto apps for the DOT Adventure 2011.

links:
wobuilt: Our Busman's Holiday: Doors Open Toronto
wobuilt: Explore the George Brown House: Restored and Well-Preserved Residential Heritage
wobuilt: Architecture: Combining New and Old
toronto.ca/open: building a city that thinks like a web
twitter.com: @Doors_OpenTO
twitter.com: #doors_opento
facebook: Doors Open Toronto