Transforming a Brutalist Icon: York Woods Library Reimagined

Go Behind the Project on a stunning renovation of Toronto’s York Woods Library, blending accessibility, transparency, and community-focused design.

York Woods Library in Toronto reopened to the public in July 2023 after completing extensive renovations to interior and exterior spaces. The renovated building includes a new social space for the community and a new 2,000 ft² glass entrance pavilion. Entuitive provided structural engineering services on this project. Associate Sean Lou-Hing sat down with us to share his insights on the project and the benefits of the new library to the community.

Thanks so much for sitting down with us, Sean. Can you tell us about the project?

Sean: This project is a renovation retrofit of the York Woods branch of the Toronto Public Library. The building was constructed in 1968 and is characterized by its brutalist architectural style, featuring heavy solid and precast concrete. We collaborated with Diamond Schmitt Architects, focusing on creating exterior and interior designs that transformed the library into a modern space. The primary goal for the exterior was to design a more accessible and welcoming main entrance that emphasizes natural light. We achieved this by constructing a glass pavilion to enhance visibility and establish a clear contrast between the original building and the new one, making it more visually appealing to passersby.

In addition to the exterior design, another focus for this project was to enhance the community atmosphere within the library. The newly designed interior features bleachers-style seating that connects the two levels of the library, creating a social environment for gathering of all ages.

What have been some challenges you've faced?

Sean: One significant aspect of this project was ensuring the stability of the glass building against wind and seismic loads without using solid walls or cross bracing. While these are conventional and effective methods for structural support, they conflicted with the vision we had for the design. To address this, we developed a two-way system of steel moment frames that stabilized the glass structure through a fixed connection at the base, providing necessary stiffness and rigidity to the system.

Another significant consideration for the exterior was the design of the thin, tapered roof. The objective was to create a sleek roof that is flat and gives the appearance that it is floating. To achieve this while maintaining structural integrity, we utilized tapered steel wide flange sections for balance between the structural stiffness and capacity to support the roof loads. This allowed us to create a thin cantilever design, contributing to the overall light weight of the structure.

What was your favourite part of the project?

Sean: Collaborating closely with the rest of the team on the details of how we can ensure the seamless transition of the new structure with the existing framework. Our key focus was the transition between the wood soffit and the glass curtain, and making sure the canopy had adequate support.

Ensuring the materials and transitions came together required meticulous attention and we are proud of the outcome and opportunity to work on a significant project such as this. Creating a unique and vibrant social space for the community is very inspiring. This project not only enhances community engagement, but also reflects our commitment to fostering inclusive environments that welcome collaboration.

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Thanks so much for sitting down with us Sean, so we could learn more about this great project at Entuitive.

If you’d like to learn more about the York Woods Library project, please reach out to Sean Lou-Hing.