Steel Project Case Study Gallery: Renovation to AGO, Toronto

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

Exterior - September 2007

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

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: September 24,2007
North Facade - West End

View of the west end.	As the upper floors of the gallery do not go to the end of the building, a steel framework is being added to support the glulam ribs.


Closer view of the steel supporting framework as it connects to the ribs.	A chain hoist, attached to a projection.


Oblique view of the steel support system.	Coser view of the steel support system. Where there are extensions required, web stiffeners continue the pattern along the main rib.


A view of the bracing system for the top glulam beam.	Fire proofing on the steel supports that project out from the deep support beam.


View of the gallery from the corner of Dundas and Beverly Street.	View into the gallery space from the corner of Dundas and Beverly Street.
North Facade - East End

View of the front facade from the corner of McCaul and Dundas.	Detailed shot of the end support of the top glulam beam.


View from the north side of Dundas Street looking at the east end.	The connections of the easterly ribs to the deep steel support beam (before fireproofing).


The steel beam and its projections support the end glulam ribs.	Detailed view of the rib to steel support connection.


Closer view of the topmost connection at the east end..	. A variety of shapes of galvanized steel connectors is needed due to the irregular geometry of the connections.


Steel supports fo the glulam system..	Ironworkers attach the galvanized steel box sections to the beam projections.
South Facade Progress

View of the rear facade.	View looking up the rear facade at the anchor points for the knuckle stair that will wind up the exterior.


Progress of the rear facade system.	A small crane lifts a glazing section up the rear facade.