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Long List of Twelve International Architects

(Toronto, Ontario, October 4, 2001) - The Royal Ontario Museum's (ROM) Architect Selection Committee and Working Group has announced the long list of twelve Canadian and international architectural firms that are invited to submit a formal proposal for the architectural design of Renaissance ROM, the Master Plan guiding the expansion of the Museum. They are (in alphabetical order):

1. Andrea Bruno (Turin, Italy)
2. Atelier Jean Nouvel (Paris, France)
3. Bing Thom Architects (Vancouver, Canada)
4. Cesar Pelli and Associates (New York, USA)
5. Daniel Libeskind (Berlin, Germany)
6. Foster and Partners (London, England)
7. Kohn Pedersen Fox and Associates (New York, USA)
8. Michael Hopkins and Partners (London, England)
9. Polshek Partnership Architects (New York, USA)
10. Rafael Viñoly Architects (New York, USA)
11. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (Chicago, USA)
12. Tod William, Billie Tsien and Associates (New York, USA)

William Thorsell, ROM President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The outstanding calibre of these architects speaks to the stature of the ROM's Master Plan proposal, and of Toronto's eminent place among international cities. It is essential that we transform this most important corner of the city through brilliant architecture, new permanent galleries and stimulating events in cooperation with other leading cultural institutions. Toronto needs a star turn - more than one - and the selection of a great architect for the ROM's revival is an essential component in making that happen."

The members of the Renaissance ROM Architect Selection Committee and Working Group reviewed and evaluated 50 expressions of interest received from international architectural firms, all in a very short time. The long list of architects announced today are invited by the ROM to: respond to a formal Request for Proposal, visit the Museum in person, partner with a local Canadian firm, and fill a sketchbook with their concepts, ideas and proposals for the transformation of the ROM. These sketchbooks will be displayed to the public in a new temporary exhibit, Renaissance ROM Architect Selection Phase I: Architects' Sketchbooks, in the ROM's H.H. Levy Gallery from November 23, 2001 to January 6, 2002, to give viewers an opportunity to comment on the designs.

In mid-December, the short list of up to three final architects will be announced. Then, in early February 2002, the ROM will host a three-day public presentation by each of the short-listed architects on their plans for this important site in Toronto with an accompanying exhibit, Renaissance ROM Architect Selection: Views of Our Future, Three Architectural Finalists. The response of the community will be invited, before the final architect for the new ROM is announced on February 15, 2001 after a comprehensive review process.

Renaissance ROM is the Master Plan for a major capital expansion of the ROM and its galleries, to be completed in three stages of construction between 2004 and 2006. This new vision is vital to the Museum's continued growth, ensuring that the ROM remains a critical part of the cultural landscape of the city and the province. The ROM's Master Plan will bring the current international museum boom to Toronto and increase local cultural tourism spending. It will require major investment from both the public and private sectors, including the ROM's application to the Ontario Government's SuperBuild fund (submitted in April, 2001) and a planned capital campaign. It is anticipated that the ROM will award contracts for exhibits developer and construction management in December 2001.

Detailed background information on Renaissance ROM and each architectural firm in the long list, above, may be found at: www.rom.on.ca, by following the link to the Master Plan page.

The members of the Architect Selection Committee (announced on August 21, 2001) include: ROM Trustees: Peter Janson (Chair of Master Plan Task Force), Jack Cockwell (Chair of the Board of Trustees), Andrea Bronfman, Joey Tanenbaum and William Thorsell (President and CEO); James Temerty (ROM Foundation Board of Directors); Liza Samuel (former ROM Board of Trustees Chair), Belinda Stronach (CEO of Magna Corp.), and Leslie Rebanks (Rebanks Architects Inc.). The Working Group includes: Elsie Lo and Bronwyn Krog (ROM Board of Trustees); Michael Miller (Chair, Department of Architectural Science and Landscape Architecture, Ryerson Polytechnic University), Elizabeth Sisam (Director of Campus & Facility Planning, University of Toronto); and the following ROM staff: Meg Beckel (Chief Operating Officer), Dave Hollands (Design Manager), Tony Hushion (Vice President, Exhibits, Project Management and New Media Resources), David Palmer (President and Executive Director, ROM Foundation), Joel Peters Executive Director, Marketing and Commercial Development), Dan Rahimi (Director, Collections Management), Mike Shoreman (Senior Vice President, Business and Capital Development), and Hans Sues (Vice President, Collections and Research).

 

 

Issue date:
September 7, 2001

For more information:
Media Relations
Tel.: 416.586.5547
Fax: 416.586.8022
E-mail: media@rom.on.ca

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