One of North York's most significant buildings is undergoing major renovations over the winter months, as the 30-year-old North York Central Library is being upgraded to the 21st century. The monument to Postmodernism was designed by renowned local firm Moriyama & Teshima Architects and completed in 1987, and has since become the busiest branch of the Toronto Public Library system, hosting roughly 1.5 million visitors and circulating nearly 1.6 million items annually.

The renovations are being undertaken by Diamond Schmitt Architects, and will see the library temporarily close for three months beginning on December 5, with a pop-up location opening on December 12 on the concourse level of the North York Centre Mall.

Exterior view of the library, image by Craig White.

The need for the renovations stemmed from the necessity for repairs, given that parts of the 30-year-old building are nearing the end of their life cycle. More importantly, however, it stemmed from the changing uses and role of the library within the community. The North York Central Library is a hub of activity in the area, and given that it sees more people walk through its doors annually than the ROM or the AGO, the renovations will add new community-oriented and socially-minded spaces, while upgrading the library's facilities with state-of-the-art digital fabrication studios, computer stations, and even music rehearsal rooms.

The neighbourhood around the library is composed mainly of condo towers, explains North York Central Library manager Kim Huntley, and is home to many newcomers to the city and country. These demographics are often in search of what is known as a 'third space'—the social spaces in our everyday lives that complement our living and working spaces—and the library is increasingly becoming the go-to community hub in the area. The library has accommodated this need with more community events, children's programs, and increased access to technology, and is now looking to improve and expand upon these uses with the ambitious renovations.

View of the atrium from the third floor, image courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects.

The floor layout of the library will be redesigned to create a more social atmosphere, explains Gary McCluskie, principal in charge at Diamond Schmitt Architects. "Wherever we saw an opportunity to put more reading areas, we included them", he remarked. The redesign will incorporate a greatly expanded supply of both group study and quiet individual study areas, including increased seating capacity circling the central atrium.

The atrium was key to the connectivity of the spaces, McCluskie explained. Previously, visitors to the library often remarked that they were unaware that the upper floors existed, and the designers aimed to change that by increasing visibility between floor levels. The solid balustrades around the atrium will be replaced by contemporary glass railings, while reading tables will be located along the perimeter, which, as McCluskie claimed, will encourage people to move upward through the building by making visible the various functions and programs on each floor.

Expanded staircase with reading terraces on the first floor, image courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects.

A notable change to the central atrium will be the widening of the staircases to accommodate reading terraces. In an effort to increase connectivity between floor levels, the staircases will be transformed into destinations and social spaces, rather than simply circulation. The grand staircase, as the project team calls it, will be the prominent central feature of the revamped atrium.

Technology plays a significant role in the renovations, with the installation of a new digital innovation hub and creation space. The facility will offer access to digital media technologies that include 3D printing, laser cutting, and sound and video recording studios. As well, there will be increased capacity for computer and internet access throughout the building.

View of the the second floor, image courtesy of Diamond Schmitt Architects.

The library will also now feature zoned areas for adults, teens, and children, including a new KidsStop early literacy centre that will be themed around transportation. In addition, flexible program and meeting room spaces will be renovated and expanded, and a new event space will be installed on the main floor. The library will also sport a new look, with new flooring, ceilings, furniture, seating, and millwork installed throughout.

Rendering of the new KidsStop, image courtesy of Toronto Public Library.

While the majority of the interventions are concentrated in the interior of the building, some minor repair work will take place on the exterior, with a rehabilitation of the stone cladding and a re-roofing of the structure. A notable new feature will be an exterior reading garden on the top floor, making use of the available roof space.

View of the atrium, image by Craig White.

The North York Central Library is one of a trio of notable Moriyama and Teshima-designed buildings in Toronto that feature a captivating atrium and rather stunning architectural details. Scarborough Civic Centre (1973) and Toronto Reference Library (1977) are the other two civic monuments that are focused around a central atrium with curving balconies and stairs, but neither quite measure up to the complexity and height of North York Library's towering seven-storey chasm. Perhaps the most impressive of the three, it is remarkable for its thrill-inducing cascade of floor levels lit by its Postmodernist stained glass window.

McCluskie is excited by the fact that they get to "in a way, collaborate with Raymond Moriyama" by participating in the careful alteration of the building as it evolves to meet the needs of contemporary society. Enamoured by the spectacular atrium, McCluskie worked to improve the existing building while still maintaining its integrity as an iconic architectural landmark and legacy of Moriyama. The bones of the building are still the same, he explained, but the way the space is used will be adjusted, and the library will be presented with a new and expanding identity to carry with it into the future.

View of the atrium, image by Craig White.

The multi-year project will be carried out in phases in order to keep the library at least partially operational during construction. The initial phase began back in July of this year, and will continue into 2017 with the renovation of the central atrium - a big job that necessitated the temporary closing of the building to facilitate construction work. Two subsequent one-year phases will renovate blocks of roughly two floors at a time, with a projected completion date likely in 2019 or 2020.

We will come back with more updates and details of the project as they become available. In the meantime, you can get in on the discussion by leaving a comment in the space provided on this page.