Runnymede branch of the Toronto Public Library
Here you can see architectural elements inspired by Canada's First Nations traditions. On either side of the front door are totem poles featuring stylized ravens (top), bears (middle) and beavers (bottom).
Front door facing Bloor Street, Toronto
The building, designed in 1929, also features French Canadian influences, combining to create a unique "Canadian" flavour.
Second floor of the Runnymede branch
The steeply pitched roof is of black slate with bellcast eaves, a French tradition. The stonework is variegated, a combination of local red and yellow limestone.
I am linking to My World.
47 comments:
Fascinating history of the architecture.
What a wonderful building!
Beautiful architecture...I love the "Canadian" flavor of the design. I have to comment that the gal in the photo looks a bit cold :)
Love the totem pole columns. Beautiful door!...Christine
Love that red door!
the totem pole carvings are wonderful
and the person on the bench in a parka is a nice Canadian addition :)
Excellent carvings and I adore those bellcast eaves.
Unique architecture and artistry!
Nice spot to read in that bench during summer time.
Fantastic, beautiful door!
Happy RT!
Lola:)
Great architecture!
This is a wonderful building, love the details!
Hve a good new week!
I love to read about and ejoy photos of about local architecture.
In answer to your question on The Gardening Life, no, Edmonton didn't get snow! Yay!! It is finally melting and this entire week looks great. Above zero!! Have a terrific week. :)
What a cheerful door. Lovely!
I love your architectural shots, and I love red doors even more. your world is beautiful.
The French tradition adds a nice twist to the work as does the First Nation element of totems. Gorgeous and strong looking building made all the more charming by its bright red door.
These captures are my cup of tea. How great that these public buildings incorporate the native art. Gorgeous!
I love the old building with the pop of red to bring it right up to date :)
How beautiful to use the same materials for these buildings as are used in Europe!
Thanks for the visit! Your welcome to visit Gouda, I live quite near it. So coffee at my place!!
That building is amazing. I love that red door. It's very eye catching.
There are some beautiful libraries out there, and this is one of the more original.
Good to see it again!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Native art + french roof + bench = I love this architecture, this mood, this post!Great!
Another great look at your world and what an lovely, interesting library! I love the architecture and that wonderful red door! Enjoy your week!
Sylvia
You have been down to the city! You do get around. That is one of my favourite doors and buildings.
I love the carvings on the totem poles, interesting way to integrate history and culture into a building. I bloghopped my way here, have a great day!
Hi Tina,
Your post is magnificent as always, I like the building and the red door!
Now I'm traveling on the Pacific Coast of South America and I have little time for writing and viewing online.
Hope you have a nice day!
I like this example of uniquely Canadian architecture.
I did notice a lot of totem poles in Vancouver. What a lovely thing to incorporate totem pole to the design.
Love the architecture. I live in a historic town influenced by the French since our Cathedral was built by a French Priest as the first cathedral west of the Alleghanies. Planning on painting my front door red this spring.
QMM
Love the red door. Charmaine
Wow, that is one beautiful library!!! What a wonderful place to have.
That local flavor in the architecture is gorgeous. Thanks for calling attention to it.
I do like red doors - so stunning. Pity I can't have mine red since I'm in an apartment (and there are too many rules).
Totem poles are interesting. The red door is a wonderful contrast.
Those bay windows with their curved roofs are so interesting. Usually I see pointed ones and not curved. Also, the totems being carved from stone are most impressive. I like that this type of work has its own name. The red door set off the library perfectly.
I love it all. I learned something new also, bellcast eaves. I'll be looking now, I'll have to look hard in Oklahoma I bet.
was a nice place to visit...love your shots...visiting from My World...
would you mind visiting my entry
http://lovingoutliving.blogspot.com/2011/04/antulang-beach-resort.html
I remember similar fusion of influences on the architecture of various buildings when we visited the Canadian west coast during my honeymoon.
The totem pole is unique and interesting. Wonderful architecture. Love the red door.
The door itself is great with that bright red color and the multiple little windows. The totem makes it even better. Easy to imagine that they are guarding the door, making it safe for readers. I'm always delighted to see raven totems, they are a favorite.
Such an interesting building. Thanks for the little history on it as well.
Darla
That is one gorgeous building! Do they still build 'em thataway up thar in Canada? They sure don't do it here!
This is a beautiful and impressive building. Different cultures stand side by side peacefully! Three-legged raven appears in Japanese myth based on nature worship.
I hope to visit this building someday.
Beautiful architecture. Definitely very Canadian as well, love the red door.
I really like the architecture. Love the red door and totem pole facings!
I love that they included the history in the architecture.
totally gorgeous...great shots...thanks for dropping by my page.
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