Essay about TD Centre An Architectural Mini-Utopia in...

The TD Centre is a landmark of Toronto. It is one of the most recognizable elements of the downtown core. It has gained this status for two main reasons. The first one concerns its historical significance: the complex was one of the first of many skyscrapers built in the international style. The second reason is personified by the individual behind the planning and realization of the project: Mies van der Rohe. The building was the last high-rise the world-famous modernist created and therefore it embodied all of his concepts and beliefs on the international style. The complex as a whole stands out in the multitude of high-rises of the downtown core because of its typical, recognizable and repeated style. The original three point†¦show more content†¦In the public square north of Wellington Street one is enclosed by 4 towers. Two are Miesian creations while the other two are the most faithful reproductions by Bregman and Hammond. The four stylistically identical towers have a synergic effect on one another. The repetition which is obvious in their faà §ades extends into the cityscape. While there are hundreds of international styles towers spread throughout the world this is the only place where one is encircled by 4 Miesian towers. The repetition seems to affect everything in the street. Traffic seems more regular, the trees seem to conform to a hidden order related to the buildings, and everything around seems in perfect sync. It briefly feels like a perfect modernist utopia before being pulled back into reality by the acoustic cacophony of city life. This unique feature of the TD Centre is something refreshing which transports the viewer to the dreams of the modernists: Mies’ glass towers or Corb’s City of Three Million. Walking through the complex this feeling persists. The views towards the towers from within the Banking Pavilion can pretty much serve as frames for the architectural movement that is modernism. This initial feeling i s only reinforced by delving deeper into the specific buildings. In looking at the towers individually it seems appropriate because of the space allotted, to focus on the original three point