TORONT O

DOMINION
CENTRE
ARCHITECT : MIES VAN DER ROHE
IRT 201
JAY IRIZ AWA
BOKI K WOK, CHRIS TOPHER DAVIDSON, JESSICA SCARPELLI, SIDNE Y TSAO

TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND 3
MIESS STYLE
4
CONCEPT & INSPIRATION
5
ANALYSIS: CIRCULATION
6
ANALYSIS: SITE & COMMUNITY
7
ANALYSIS: DEMOGRAPHICS
8
PROGRAMMING 9
PLANS & ELEVATIONS
10
SECTIONAL MODEL & ANALYSIS
11
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
15
DETAIL 17
ANTHROPOMETRIC ANALYSIS
19
SUSTAINABILITY 22
BIBLIOGRAPHY 23

The Toronto Dominion Centre, built between 1967 and 1991, are significant structures of
which forever changed the Toronto skyline and set the bar for the citys architecture henceforth.
In the early 1960s, the Canadian International Bank of Commerce was the leading bank. Its
34-storey, 1930s style building dominated the Toronto Skyline along with the Royal York Hotel.1
In 1955, Allen Lambert was made Chairman of the merged Bank of Toronto and Dominion
Bank.2 He was determined to have this small bank make its mark on the world stage, starting
with building the largest
skyscraper
in Toronto.
This
was a daring feat at the time, as Toronto
ARCHITECT
: MIES
VAN DER
ROHE
was conservative and
IRTseen
201as a second-tier financial centre, with no other skyscrapers.3
JAY IRIZ AWA
K WOK,
CHRIS
DAVIDSON,
JESSICA
Y TSAO
toBOKI
be the
architect
of theTOPHER
TD buildings.
At the time,
he hadSCARPELLI,
already beenSIDNE
the

Mies was chosen

Architect of many skyscrapers in the United States, and was also the director of the Architecture
school at the Armour Institute (Illinois Institute of Technology, present name) and was one of
the famous advocates of the International Style.4 Allen Lambert formed a corporation with
Fairview Corporation to rent out all the floors of the entire complex allowing them to green light
the construction.5

The completion of the building transformed the TDC, a small regional bank into a national
bank which now stands as a famous monument of Toronto.6 The cluster of 6 towers are covered
in bronze-tinted glass and black painted steel, a testament to the Mies style, and serves as the
global headquarters of TD Banks.7 These buildings house over 1,000,000 square feet of office
space for many other businesses as well. Over 21,000 people work in this complex making it the
largest office complex in Canada. These buildings sit on 6 acres of land, totalling 4.3 million
square feet of space.8
Mies van der Rohe designed three of the six buildings in the Toronto Dominion Centre
complex.9 He designed the 56 storey TD Bank Tower, which was completed Canada Day, 1967.
One year later, the single storey Banking Pavilion along with the 43 storey Royal Trust Tower
was also built. Bregman + Hamann Architects (now B+H Architects) continued the project and
completed the CP Tower in 1973; the TD Waterhouse Tower in 1985 and the Ernst & Young
Tower in 1991.1010
The TD buildings not only set the benchmark for future design in Toronto, it also propelled
Toronto forward as a Financial Centre in the world.

BACKGROUND
1

More TDC History.... More TDC History.... http://www.tdcentre.com/en/About/Pages/MoreHistory.aspx (accessed October 23, 2014).

2 ibid
3 ibid
4
5

Khan, Hasan. International style modernist architecture from 1925 to 1965. Kln [Germany: Taschen, 1998.
More TDC History.... More TDC History.... http://www.tdcentre.com/en/About/Pages/MoreHistory.aspx (accessed October 23, 2014).

6 ibid
7
8

Curtis, William J. R.. <i>Modern architecture since 1900</i>. 3rd ed. London: Phaidon, 1996.
More TDC History.... More TDC History.... http://www.tdcentre.com/en/About/Pages/MoreHistory.aspx (accessed October 23, 2014).

BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings. BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings. http://bharchitects.uberflip.com/i/65329 (accessed October 25,
2014).

10 ibid

MIESS STYLE

Mies van der Rohe famously coined the axiom Less is More. He designed buildings which were not contingent to
its usage, but rather focused on the essence of The Building. The results are timeless designs which were solutions to
universal issues.1

Mies was a student of the Bauhaus in Germany before escaping to America during the Nazi Regime in WWII. One of
the most significant ideologies which defined the Bauhaus school came from Ornament and Crime, an essay by the
Architect Adolf Loos, criticizing Ornament and Decoration in architecture; he deemed them immoral and degenerate,
suppressing society from progress.2 He sought a universal, true style where form, proportion, clarity, and measure would
be clear.3 This idea is reflected in both Mies and many other 20th century Architects buildings. While at the Bauhaus,
Mies designed many buildings using steel and glass with a focus on sunlight penetrating the spaces. His designs are one
of the most defining examples of Modernism and the International Style.4

The International Style was one of the many movements in the 20th century which were collectively called Modernism.5
It is perhaps inspired by several causes; Industrialization and rapidly improving technologies, leading to an application
of those technologies onto architecture, the collective hope for a utopian society through urbanism and architecture,
amongst other reasons.6 Mies van der Rohe can be credited to the application of industrial materials before the Second
world war, and believed that Industrialization is the answer to contemporary needs and aspirations.7
Mies understood that the potential for a new freedom was contingent on a new structuring form that would be at
once technological, social, economic and visual Because it was understood that all the spheres of human activity
was structure homologous within a given period, the architects task of mastering its unbridled forces demanded an
expanded horizon knowledge and preparation.8

The International Style Aesthetic is characterized by several features:
Volume as the definition of Space; not Mass:9 The exposed black steel I-Beam mullions exemplify this aesthetic;

Regularity of Structure: Careful attention to Symmetry, Geometry, and Proportions10 - All these create harmony in a
building; The repeating tripartite window units are a nod to Mies sensitivity to these aspects;

Removal of All Ornament: It was seen as a Superficiality and a revival of the 19th Century.11 This is seen in the metal
frame windows and flat roofs (Projected roofs were a disruption to the facade);

Subordinate Architectural Detail: Although decoration was discouraged, art and paintings which complemented a
building were welcome12; Bull Sculptures are placed in the Plaza;

Relationship of a building to its surrounding: The juxtaposition of the Artificiality of the Building to the Natural quality
of Nature surrounding it24; the Plaza, lined with trees and grass, creates this juxtaposition. Also, Mies uses materials to
connect the interior to the exterior. In the lobby, the Travertine which is used for the walls of the buildings extends to the
outside, and is divided by panes of glass. Granite tiles in the plaza also go from the exterior into the interior, although a
different variety of granite is used for the interior floors.
1 Khan, Hasan. International style modernist architecture from 1925 to 1965. Kln [Germany: Taschen, 1998.
2 Curtis, William J. R.. <i>Modern architecture since 1900</i>. 3rd ed. London: Phaidon, 1996.
3 ibid
4 ibid
5 Khan, Hasan. International style modernist architecture from 1925 to 1965. Kln [Germany: Taschen, 1998.
6 ibid
7 ibid
8 Ontario Heritage Foundation. Toronto-Dominion Centre. Ontario Heritage Trust. http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/CMSImages/e2/e2d5813a-7ae9-4177-b033-4ac0fa05ab43.pdf (accessed October 25, 2014).
9 Khan, Hasan. International style modernist architecture from 1925 to 1965. Kln [Germany: Taschen, 1998.
10 ibid
11 ibid
12 ibid

CONCEPT & INSPIRATION

The grid system used by Mies van der Rohe was adopted as a way to orient his buildings. He used this
system throughout many of his designs, which unified all his works. An example of this usage is the
Barcelona Pavilion, whose floor plan looks very similar to that of the TD Centres.

Each tower adopts this system of grids for the layout as well as the layout of each building in relation to
one another. The granite that governs the outside complex of the building is aligned to the grid. Each
tile is mathematically placed in relation to each other.

Mies decided to expose the skeleton of the building on the faade to allow passerbys to see the grid
itself on a vertical scale. Each buildings grid system is a mathematical formulation to the design intent
of the building. As the floors ascend, the size of the structural support gradually decreases allowing for
more space.

The grid also showcases pillars that are placed surrounding the lobbies of each building. These pillars
help in development of the grid but are also structural in their support of the building. These aid in
sightlines on a grid like fashion through the building as well as outside in the complex itself, bringing
attention to to the waffle-like ceiling. The ceiling is a recessed 30x30 air handling lumineres with two
T-8 fluorescent lamps and acrylic lens.

BAY
ST

ANALYSIS: CIRCULATION
N
WELLINGTON STREET WEST

CIRCULATION

ET

E
STR

BAY
ST

K
YOR

This demonstrates the circulation between

the PATH and the King/Bay Lobby. The
circulation in the lobby shows PATH where
all the four buildings are interconnected
underground. This is shown by the black
line and depicts the walking path of which
enables the passersby to walk from one
building to another. The elevators are
symbolized by white squares which are able to
travel up to the lobby and floors of different
buildings. The stairs are symbolized in black
and allow a slower form of circulation,
moving up and down floors of different
buildings. Escalators are represented in
yellow and allow are vertical circulation more
quicker than stairs. The escalators shown are
located in the main lobby of King/Bay and
allows customers to move underground to the
PATH as well as exit to street level. Finally,
the arrows demonstrate movement off the
grid to adjacent buildings.

STAIR
ESCALATOR
ELEVATOR

KING STREET WEST

CIRCULATION
STAIR
ESCALATOR
ELEVATOR

CIRCULATION
STAIR
ELEVATOR

This diagram exhibits the 30th floor and its

development. Office space surrounds the
exterior glass walls, with washrooms, storage,
and circulation paths at the central core.
There are two stairwells present but more
dominant is the elevator lobby, which greets
CIRCULATION
the employees with
a grand gesture, providing
CIRCULATION
a hub for circulation throughout
the floor.

WASHROOM
STORAGE & ELETRICAL ROOM
OFFICES

STAIR

STAIR
ELEVATOR
ELEVATOR
WASHROOM

ANALYSIS: SITE & COMMUNITY

This diagram shows the underground PATH concourse which is

connected to the TD Tower lobby, surrounding buildings, and street
level. The PATH houses shops, banks, foodcourts, and bathrooms and
allows for underground circulation through below-street-level hallways.
These paths connect to primary buildings above ground through stairs,
elevators, and escalators, creating a web of horizontal and vertical
circulation. In this diagram, the location of the four towers, in relation
to one another, is illustrated.

WELLINGTON STREET WEST

ET

E
STR

BAY
ST

K
YOR

Toronto-Dominion Centre is the centre of Canadas cultural, business

and entertainment district. The complex is within walking distance
of hotels, Opera House, the finest restaurants, the Metro Convention
Centre, the CN Tower and Air Canada Centre.

KING STREET WEST

TD BANK TOWER
TD WEST TOWER
TD SOUTH TOWER
TD NORTH TOWER
ERNST & YOUNG TOWER

ANALYSIS:
DEMOGRAPHICS

The TD Bank Tower is a 56-storey tower with over 1.3 million square feet of rentable space.1
The TD North Tower, (former: Royal Trust Tower) is a 46-storey tower. It has over 970,000 square feet of rentable space and
the tenants in this building are amongst North Americas leading financial services, technology and professional services firms.2
The TD West Tower (former: Canadian Pacific Tower) is a 32-storey office tower with over 500,000 square feet of rentable
space. Today its tenants include some of the worlds leading enterprises.3
The TD South Tower has more than 650,000 square feet of rentable space. Some of the countrys top legal, financial and
profession services firms are occupants in this building.4
The Ernst & Young Tower is a 31-storey, Class A office tower in the Northeast corner of the Complex with 487,000 square
feet of rental space.5
95 Wellington Street is over 23 storeys high and measures 330,000 square feet in size.6

1 BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings. BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings. http://bharchitects.uberflip.com/i/65329 (accessed October 25, 2014).
2 ibid
3 ibid
4 ibid
5 ibid
6 ibid

PROGRAMMING
There are over 75 shops, food retailers, services, and cultural programming to serve the some 20,000 tenants
in the Toronto-Dominion Centre.1
Gallery of Inuit Art

Opened in1987, the Gallery of Inuit Art is located on the ground floor of the TD South Tower. It is a
cooperative project of the TD Bank and Cadillac Fairview. It features a collection more than 200 pieces of
Inuit Artwork which the Toronto-Dominion Bank has been collecting since the mid-1960s.2
Kids + COMPANY

Kids + COMPANY is a childcare facility located at 95 Wellington Street West. It is a full-service centre and
welcomes children of all ages: infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners.3
The Design Exchange (DX)

The DX is a design promotion and exhibit centre as part of Toronto-Dominion Centre. The exhibit utilizes
the trading floor of the first Toronto Stock Exchange, and is also used as a venue for special events: product
launches, annual meetings, charity galas, receptions of all kinds, and film shoots.4
The Toronto Athletic Club

The Toronto Athletic Club is located on the 36th floor of The TD South Tower. Also located in this facility
is Stratus, a fine dining restaurant.5
Other servicing retailers includ Dove Cleaning, a car wash, the King Bay Chaplaincy, Canada Post, Bike
Racks, and more.6 In addition, the underground PATH below the complex has a multitude of shops and
food retailers, and a food court, managed by Cadillac Fairview.7

1 TDC Life... Simply Amazing. TDC Life... Simply Amazing. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/life/Pages/TDCLife.aspx (accessed October 27, 2014).
2 ibid
3 ibid
4 ibid
5 ibid
6 ibid
7 TDC Food...The Best Part of Your Day. TDC Food... The Best Part of Your Day. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/food/Pages/TDCFood.aspx (accessed October 27,
2014).

PLANS & ELEVATIONS

SOUTH ELEVATION

PLAN

WEST ELEVATION

10

SECTIONAL MODEL & ANALYSIS

11

12

13

Our sectional model depicts the front end of the building beacuse it is indicative of a typica Mies building. This model was
created to capture the front faade, escalator, as well as a section of the lobby counter. We also decided to show the PATH
directly under the building, whose purpose was to illustrate circulation from the pavilion lobby into the underground
PATH system. The main materials used were wood and acrylic, with complimenting metal elements. We spray painted the
wood black and placed them accordingly to mimic the steel framing I-beams, with appropriate break lines that exist in the
actual exterior structure. The escalator is plated with metal to demonstrate materiality while emphasizing the importance
of its circulatory purpose. The floor of the lobby is made with wood, which was glazed and scored in a gridlike pattern to
imitate the granite used in the TD bank tower while highting Mies van der Rohes grid concept. This grids line up with each
steel I beam which then flush with the waffle-like ceiling. Due to the laser cutter not being able to cut more than a certain
length at a time, the ceiling had to be supported by a criss-cross system, with a millboard, spray-painted black, attached for
support. This imitates how the lights in are actually built, with the framing lying on top of fluorescent lights. In the PATH
floor, there is an office space that is represented. The ceiling in the path lowers and this is demonstrated in our model. The
acrylic beams help hold up the upper floor while maintaining the grid like concept of which mies van der rohe had intended.

14

MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Steel

Steel is a popular building material with a lustrous finish.1 This material boasts strength and durability but also
versatility. It can be treated and alloyed in a variety of different ways.2
With regards to the TD Tower complex, the steel is painted black to contrast the sleek look of the glass windows.
This epitomizes the International style that was brought to North America at the time (Partially by Mies himself).
Steel is conductive as well, transferring heat and electricity. It can be rolled into sheets, rods, beams, bars, and forged
into different shapes.3 Steel was shaped into I-Beams and used on the exterior of the TD towers, exemplifiing the
characteristic Skeletal facade of the buildings which is flushed with the prominent grid-like ceiling.
I-beams are strong and relatively light - they are typically found in trusses in buildings and manufactured from steel
and welded together.4 Due to the I shape of the beam, they have a high moment of inertia and stiffness, which
makes it resistant to bending.5 This is very important to note when constructing a massive building such as skyscraper.
As one of the first skyscrapers, the TD Towers not only had to be timeless in design, they also had to withstand the
test of time in regards to durability. In general, Steel is a very strong and resistant material that is typically used in
building frames, security doors, trains, and ships.6
Another appealing aspect of steel is its durability. It is a long lasting material that is resistant to wear and tear.
It is also typically made into alloys to further improve its strength, toughness and more durabiltiy with regards
to manufacturing.7 In addition, steel is sometimes coated to protect the material from wear and tear of weather
conditions.8
Travertine

Roman Classic Travertine is abundantly tiled on the walls of the Lobbies, each floor of the buildings, and the
underground PATH. This cream coloured rock is a form of limestone deposited in hot springs.9 Composed of
97% calcite, 3% limonite and hematite, it is a medium grained material with hollows.10 In the Toronto-Domion
Centre, the naturally occuring grain pattern is displayed horizontally, emphasizing the this aspect of the buildings.
Horizontality is a feature of the International Style aesthetic. Mies van der Rohe also used Travertine in the
Farnsworth House and the S.R. Crown Hall.11

1 Properties of Steel. BlueScope Steel. https://www.bluescopesteel.com/media/10530/Properties%20of%20Steel.pdf (accessed October 25, 2014).

2 ibid
3 ibid
4 ibid
5 ibid
6 ibid
7 ibid
8 ibid
9 Menu. Classic Roman Travertine. http://www.marmolesperez.com/classicromantravertine.html (accessed October 27, 2014).
10 ibid
11Wikimedia Foundation. Travertine. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travertine (accessed October 27, 2014).

15

Glass

Glass is typically formed from a mixture of silica-based materials found in beds of fine sand or from pulverized
sandstone.1 It also contains an alkali to lower the melting point, potash, lime as a stabilizer and a cullet (waste glass) to
assist in melting the mixture.2 The properties of Glass are extremely varied and depend on each application. Other
substances can be added to the mixture, similar to alloying.3 For example, Lead, for brilliance and weight; Boron,
for thermal and electrical resistance; Metal oxides impart colour and Manganese for discoloring.4 To create the
Bronze-tinted glass in the TD Towers, Selenium Oxide was used.5
Granite

Granite is one of the most durable stones used in architecture. It is a visibly granular, igneous rock which is available
in a variety of colours.6 Granite is not an acid soluble stone and is therefore more resistant to acidic solutions such as
rainwater and cleansing agents, resulting in a much slower rate of deterioration.7 Typically used for sculpture, bases,
architectural trim, paving, curbstones, structural and veneer building stone, granite is very dependable.8 There are
several natural problems which can occur with granite. These include but are not limited to blistering, a swelling on the
surface followed by a rupturing of a thin uniform skin.9 Granite can also chip or crack, which is a separation of small
pieces or larger fragments from the actual masonry unit installed.10 It may also flake, peel, erode and spall (separation and
breaking away of layers) after a long-term use.
Wood

Rosewood Paneling was used as accents in the TD buildings.11 This contrasts yet complements the coolness of the black
steel, the bronze glass and natural granite used throughout each tower. Often called Brazilian Rosewood, this timber
can vary in colour and appearance. It ranges from a dark chocolate brown to a light purple or reddish brown.12 It has a
uniform, medium texture with medium sized open pores.One of the main features of the rosewood is its durability.13 It
is rated as a very durable timber with a high resistance to decay as well as high resistance to insect attack.14 Rosewood
is typically very easy to work with both by hand and with tools and has an excellent adhesion to finishes. This would
allow the workers of the time to work the wood in many different ways as well as apply finishes that would suit the
design intent of the building. The sustainability of the material is vulnerable due to its population. However, Rosewood
is currently on the IUCN Red List, due to its decline in its natural range and exploitation.15 In the 1970s, Rosewood was
easily obtained and used in high quantities, and this irresponsible exploitation of the resource resulted in the need to
protect it now.

1 Infoplease. Glass. Infoplease. http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/society/glass-composition-properties-glass.html (accessed October 26, 2014).

2 ibid
3 ibid
4 ibid
5 Glass Tints. Glass Tints. http://www.pilkington.com/en-gb/uk/architects/glass-information/energycontrolthermalsolarproperties/glass-tints (accessed October 27, 2014).
6 Granite: Characteristics, Uses And Problems. Granite: Characteristics, Uses And Problems. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/content/111938 (accessed October 27, 2014)
7 ibid
8 ibid
9 ibid
10 ibid
11 Brazilian Rosewood. The Wood Database. http://www.wood-database.com/lumber-identification/hardwoods/brazilian-rosewood/ (accessed October 27, 2014)
12 ibid
13 ibid
14 ibid
15 ibid

16

DETAIL

17

A mullion is a vertical or horizontal element that provides either support or

decoration between units of a window, door, or screen.1 In the TD building,
steel mullions provide rigid support to the glazing of the windows, or curtain
wall. The curtain wall serves no structural purposes; it is a mechanism for
covering the building and safeguarding from the elements. Since this needs to
be reinforced, each mullion acts as a structural member, supporting the weight
of the transoms and glass. Mullions are critical to the design of the TD building
because Van der Rohe is known for his extensive use of glass in combination
with a steel grid system, both important aspects in his less-is-more philosophy.

1 Merriam-Webster. mullion. Merriam-Webster. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullion (accessed October

27, 2014).

18

ANTHROPOMETRIC
ANALYSIS

Anthropometrics is the study of the human body and its movement.
This study often revolves around the measurements of relating people
to their environment, ergonomics. Anthropometric data (measurements
and statistics) are applied to a certain product. There are many key areas
to the TD Tower complex that need to be addressed within the study of
anthropometrics. These include, but are not limited to, the different Lobbies,
Each Office Floor, the Courtyard, and the Front steps.

Lobbies

The Pavilion provides a walk-in type of banking experience. This allows for
people to walk in and work with tellers as well as banking personnel for their
day-to-day banking needs. The programming, clustered around the middle
of the space, allows for an effective circulation pattern around the perimeter.
There are several doors and revolving doors around the perimeter, making
entering and exiting and entering quite efficient. The Staff easily maneuver
around the counters.

The lobbies of each tower have very wide corridors and high ceilings,
allowing people to comfortably move around especially during high traffic
times. There are large doors on every side. The sets of elevators are located
in expansive corridors, enhancing travel to and from the elevators. The lobby
spaces are devoid of clutter, making the heavy amounts of traffic in this
area to move with ease through the space. These spaces are beneficial to the
building and work effectively with the amount of traffic flowing through the
buildings on any given day.
On-Site Analysis

The main lobby of each tower focuses on movement to and from the
circulation points. Each hallway, spanning over 8 feet, is wide enough to
contain a large number of people. The elevators have a capacity of 16
people each. The signage, with regards to floor directories, elevator buttons,
etc.; are all at a height of 3 feet, with considerations to Accessibility. The
actual height of the ceilings is over double the height of the elevator doors.
This allows for a grandeur scale of the space and also prevents tenants from
feeling claustrophobic or rendered immobile when traffic in the space is
high.

19

Floors
Each floor is designed around the circulation. The anthropometrics of the site include but are
not limited to the daily flow of traffic through the space, the number of people who inhabit the
space, as well as the customers entering the space at each time. The traffic circulates around the
elevator lobbies, and all corridors are adjacent to these lobbies. The bulk of the weight which
are the kitchen units, bathrooms, and storage are all located in the center for structural integrity
and also to allow tenants to move in a circular pattern around each floor and also gather in
the center. A possible design issue is that with the amount of traffic on each floor, the hallways
may be too narrow or too few office spaces for the movement to progress in an effective way.
Everyone is forced to the center or to gather at the lobby space, which may become crowded on
a busy office day during the week.
On Site Analysis
The hallways themselves are very basic in design, yet are effective from an anthropometric
point of view. The 6-foot hallways allow for traffic through each space. The over 8-foot ceilings
allow for the same type of experience in the lobby carry throughout each floor. This allows for
a non-claustrophobic atmosphere of the hallways themselves.
On Site Analysis
The elevators to each floor enter into a lobby. The elevator doors are the same size (8 foot) to
their corresponding shaft in the main lobby on the first floor. The signage itself is also roughly
the same height 3 feet off the ground. This encompasses the floor directory as well as elevator
buttons. This is below arm level to the average person but suitable for accessibility reasons.
The elevator lobby of each floor mirrors the same layout as the main lobby below. Each space
is indicative of the design plan laid out by Mies van der Rohe. The elevator hallway is large as
well, as each entrance to the elevators is roughly 4 feet, and has 4 elevator entrances on each
side of the hallway for a total of 8.

20

Plaza

Due to the placement of each tower (North, South, East, West), there is a courtyard space located in
the center of the complex, called the Oscar Peterson Plaza. This is a gathering spot for people on lunch
break or smoking break, or for travelling around the complex. The space is designed as a pathway around
certain areas of grass that where several statues of bulls sit. The space is designed effectively because it
serves its purpose as a break from work. The softness of the grass and the plants contrast with the sharp
lines of the buildings. It is forbidden to walk on the grass so that it retains its slick appearance, which
mimics the slickness of the building. Movement around the plaza space is more difficult than in buildings
themselves. A person must maneuver around the grassy areas to from building to building. The circulation
is confusing and juxtaposes the inner workings of the van der Rohe buildings that surround it.
Front Steps

The Main Lobby of the TD Tower Complex is located at the corner of King and Bay Street in Toronto.
The outside of the main lobby is important to look at with regards to anthropometrics and movement. It
is a vast open granite space that allows for the high amount of traffic at the busy Toronto corner. There
are only 3 steps that lead up to the lobby, which can be seen in the image (right). Movement into the main
lobby is easy as customers can move across this granite complex and enter and exit the building through
large glass doors. The lobby itself is a true representation of the Mies van der Rohe buildings that stand
behind it. The only problem that could be brought to attention with regards to anthropometrics and
movement into the space is the entrances and exits, though they are large glass doors and allow for a
large volume of traffic, they cannot be seen as the whole lobby is made of the same material. Unless one
is walking directly towards the building it could be easily missed when walking by. This allows for a slick
appearance of the entire building and was possibly part of the design intent.

On Site Analysis

The most notable feature of the buildings facades is the windows. The exterior skeleton made of black
painted steel I-Beams highlights each pane of Bronze glass. From the interior these glass panels showcase
a view that is roughly 6 feet high, with a 1- 2-foot base. From the outside, these elements cannot be seen.
From the inside, these elements frame the surrounding skyline. This glass faade is seen throughout the
entire circulation of the interior spaces of the office floors. These are in contrast to the larger windows
used for the lobby levels. Those are twice as large as these, to showcase the grandeur of the lobbies
themselves to the public passing by.
Seen here are the lobby windows typically used. They showcase a large panel of glass twice as long in
height as two smaller windowpanes below. These smaller windowpanes are 9 feet tall and encompass two
per each large pane above it that is roughly 4 times the size of a single pane of glass. This allows for the
view into and out of the building to be magnified and once again, showcases the specific elements that are
related to the building itself.
21

SUSTAINABILITY
In May 2010, the Cadilllac Fairview Corporation announced the
beginning of the revitalization of the TD Centre, beginning with
the Royal Trust Tower. After a major tenant left the building, 17
floors became vacant.1
Their objective All changes must stay true to the original Mies
design.2
Some renovations that was done were Reglazing, Exterior
Repainting, Mechanical/Electrical System Upgrades, Elevators
Replacement, and Complete renovation of Lobby and Exterior
Plaza.3
A total of 5 676 windows were replaced at a rate of 16 windows per
night. Workers work from 7pm to 5am, when staff are not here, to
replace the windows.4
All glazing above the ground floor was replaced with double glazed
recycled units. Induction units are replaced with more efficient
versions and would also allow for access to the floor-to-ceiling
windows. Roller-blinds were installed in the ceiling.5
The result of all the renovations to the facade is a 50% reduction of
heat loss per linear meter.6

Water Efficiency - Cadillac Fairview initiated an extensive washroom

upgrade program including the replacement of faucets, toilets, and
urinals with new high-performance fixtures. This has allowed for the
reduction in potable water on the TD Tower complex.10 According
to the Construction Manual, Low/Ultra Low Flow lavatory and
kitchen fixtures must not consume more than: WCs 1.6 gpf/6 Lpf;
Urinals 1 gpf/3.8 Lpf; Faucets 0.5 gpm/1.9 Lpm @ 60 psi.11

Energy & Atmosphere - By installing automatic lighting controls,
state-of-the-art building automation controls, real-time energy
monitoring and lighting retrofits, the TD Centre has reduced
its overall energy use since 2008.12 Also, at least 70% of all new
appliances must be Energy Star rated;13

Materials & Resources - A minimum of 75% of the general waste
produced at the building is not brought to and from landfills.14

Indoor Environmental Quality - Smoking is prohibited within 25 ft
of any building entrance or air intake. Environmentally friendly
cleaning products and supplies are used. Annually, the building
undergoes an air quality assessment and immediate action is taken
on any potential sources of contaminants. Construction areas are
isolated from the rest of the building and the space is flushed out
with fresh air before it is re-occupied.15

In addition, the Granite pavers in the plaza, called Oscar Peterson

Square, are currently being replaced as well as the waterproofing
under the tiles. The washrooms and food court were also renovated.7
The TD Centre Complex is the first building in Toronto to achieve
a LEED Platinum Certificationcreating a new industry standard
in environmental sustainability.8

Sustainable Sites - Being in close proximity to the King Street streetcar
line and the St. Andrew and Union Subway Stations, more than
75% of the occupants commute to the building via public transit
and reduce greenhouse emissions.9

10 LEED EBOM. LEED EBOM. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/Revitalization/LEED/Pages/default.

aspx (accessed October 27, 2014).
11 Toronto-Dominion Centre Construction Manual. TD Centre. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/tenants/
Documents/Construction%20Manual.pdf (accessed October 27, 2014).

1 BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings. BHArchitects - The Second Life of Tall Buildings.
http://bharchitects.uberflip.com/i/65329 (accessed October 25, 2014).

12 LEED EBOM. LEED EBOM. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/Revitalization/LEED/Pages/default.

2 ibid

aspx (accessed October 27, 2014).

3 ibid

13 Toronto-Dominion Centre Construction Manual. TD Centre. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/tenants/

4 ibid

Documents/Construction%20Manual.pdf (accessed October 27, 2014).

5 ibid
6 ibid

14 LEED EBOM. LEED EBOM. http://www.tdcentre.com/en/Revitalization/LEED/Pages/default.

7 ibid

aspx (accessed October 27, 2014).

8 ibid

15 ibid

9 ibid

22

 Toronto Dominion Centre, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe | Toronto | Canada | MIMOA. Mimoa. http://www.mimoa.eu/projects/
Canada/Toronto/Toronto%20Dominion%20Centre (accessed October 25, 2014).
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.... Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.... http://www.tdcentre.com/en/About/Pages/AboutLudwigMiesvanderRohe.
aspx (accessed October 25, 2014).
Ontario Heritage Foundation. Toronto-Dominion Centre. Ontario Heritage Trust. http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/CMSImages/e2/
e2d5813a-7ae9-4177-b033-4ac0fa05ab43.pdf (accessed October 25, 2014).
When Miess towers scraped the sky | Toronto Star. thestar.com. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/2007/05/28/when_miess_
towers_scraped_the_sky.html (accessed October 25, 2014).

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