Steel Project Case Study Gallery: Renovation to AGO, Toronto - Frank Gehry Architect

Terri Meyer Boake BES BArch MArch LEED AP
Associate Professor :: Associate Director :: School of Architecture :: University of Waterloo

Renovation to the Art Gallery of Ontario

... the south facade

Frank Gehry Architect

Toronto, Ontario

Project Information:

Design Architect: Frank Gehry
Local Engineer: Yolles Halcrow
Steel Fabrication: Benson Steel, Mariani Metals
General Contractor: EllisDon
Cladding: Flynn

Flynn also did the cladding on the addition to OCAD, adjacent. The exterior is to be finished with a blue coloured titanium. Approximate size, 2' x 3'.

preparation - fall 2005-summer 2006	fall 2006 - winter 2007	facade - june 07	erecting "arm" - june 2007	erecting "beam" - june 2007	south facade - june 2007	steel stairs - june 2007
exterior - sept 2007	exterior - oct 2007	cisc fall tour oct 23, 2007	ssef tour - feb 2008	april 2008	june 2008

Project Images: June 2007


The glulam framing can be seen at the large T shaped opening on the south facade.	There are many layers beneath the titanium cladding (yet to come). On the east side the workers are completing the alumimum layer, which will lie beneath the titanium.


This is the lower landing for the external stair that spirals down the back facade.	The steel framing, fireproofed, can be seen behind the glulam system that will support the windows.


A view from the 6th floor of the OCAD tabletop.	Until all of the sections of the stair framing are in place, it must be supported by cables.


The white painted steel forms the upper and lower landing of the external (enclosed) stair.	A view up the west side of the building. You can see the rigid fibreglass insulation (yellow) that is being slowly covered by the aluminum layer.


The underside of the steel stair framing.	Closer view of the glulam window framing.


View up the south facade.	Oblique view of the rear facade looking over the Grange roof.


As much of the wood is kept wrapped to prevent moisture damage, before the glazing is installed.	A view of the south facade from Grange Park.


Workers installing cladding.	Here we see the aluminum layer going on. There is a 1/2" air space between this layer and the insulation below.


To the left we see the girts on the air barrier/Blueskin. The girt spaces will be filled in with rigid insulation, seen on the right, and topped with aluminum sheet.	Workers peer out the windows.


The girt layer begins on the south facade.	Closer view of the girts being installed.
Project Images: August 2007

.
You can see a few more layers are complete on the south elevation at the west end.	The glass curtain wall is being installed.


Closer view of the junction between the glazed and solid clad portions of the south facade.	View of the many layers in progress...


The glazing approaches the steel stair that will spiral its way down the south facade.	Closer view of the glazing and facade details.


View of the west facade.	Closer view of the west facade - facade work being done by Flynn (who also did OCAD next door).







...spaces reserved in anticipation of some blue titanium later...