Doors Open Toronto 2005

Sunday, May 29, 2005 - Doors Open Toronto Weekend

After missing this great event last year, there was no way that I would let myself miss this year's Doors Open Toronto event. Doors Open Toronto is an annual event when buildings with architectural, historic or cultural significance open their doors to the public. Many of these buildings are normally not opened to the public. It's an opportunity to explore some of the most well known (or lesser known) historical landmarks in Toronto.

Eddie and I made plans to go check it out months ago, and after some planning, I drafted a route that would take us from Roy Thompson Hall all the way to the St. Lawrence Market. Braving through heat, rain, and exhausation, we managed to visit about 5 or 6 buildings within one afternoon - not bad I would say. Most of the buildings were really neat to see (Roy Thompson Hall, Metropolitan United Church), while some were just so-so (St. Lawrence Hall, Old City Hall).

Doors Open Toronto is definitely one of the best events of the summer. Before Doors Open, historic buildings were something that we passed by and looked at. Now, we get to experience these buildings - we get to see the interior, feel what it's like to work or live inside, imagine those who used the building as part of their everyday life. It's both an educational and entertaining opportunity (on a side note, I was very surprised by how many Mandarin-Chinese families showed up).

The funny thing about architecture is that we don't really learn to appreciate them until it's too late. In the 60s and 70s, planners demolished many 19th century buildings, destroying much of what we would call today as "heritage buildings". Old City Hall and Union Station were all slated to be torn down. Imagine if that happens today ? It would definitely spark an outcry - but back in the mid 20th century, people were willing to do away with these buildings.

Yet planners and architects today continue to demolish buildings as a way to get rid of what they call "mistakes from the past". An example would be the modernist-style buildings built in the 50s and 60s. Who wouldn't agree that some of these buildings are an eyesore (think U of T's SS, LM, MP and RW) ? Few people shed tears when these rectangular, Le-Corbusier style buildings are torn down. But 100 years from now, will we regret the destruction of these buildings, or will we celebrate these modernist structures like we do now with the classical and Victorian heritage buildings ?

Every generation has its own unique style of art form and Doors Open Toronto gives us an opportunity to explore the past through architecture. Toronto is lucky to still have many of its heritage buildings preserved and events like Doors Open will ensure their survival.