Mississauga, ON
Designed in 1974 by Raymond Moriyama, the existing building, with its distinguishable sculptural form and multitude of floor and ceiling level changes, is a significant example of Canadian modernism providing a unique combination of library and theatre services to the Burnhamthorpe community of Mississauga.
Apart from accommodating program additions and functional improvements, ZAS enhanced the building’s street presence and provided spatial identity to both major existing tenants - the theatre and the library, as well as the new occupant of the facility – the local community outreach agency offices. Sensitive and respectful of the heritage nature of the existing architecture, new building elements radically depart from its current form and materiality.
The existing curved geometry is contrasted with rigidly applied rectilinear grid and mostly transparent, light, glass walls stand out against existing solid heavy masonry. The 300-seat, 8,000sf community theatre benefits from increased visibility and much improved delivery access to its back-of-house facilities.
A new two-storey wing with 14,000sf leasable space under the green roof was added to house the offices of the local community outreach agency and boost the building’s street presence.
Client
City of Mississauga, Mississauga Public Library
Size
56,000 s.f.
Program
25,000 s.f. Library
300-Seat Theatre
Multi-purpose Rooms
Seniors/Youth Areas
Art Gallery
Cultural Programming Space
Dixie-Bloor Neighbourhood Centre
Space Reconfiguration Study
Awards
Award of Merit - Community Scale, Context, Execution and Living Green - Mississauga Urban Design Awards, 2011
Library Building Award – Ontario Library Association, 2012