South Humber Park Pavilion

Public commissions can often yield wonderful architecture, like this tiny, elegant park pavilion in Toronto’s South Humber Park designed by architect Alan Crossley. But the simplicity of modern architecture can be challenging for people accustomed to “fancier” design to accept.  Initially derided as “makeshift” and “lopsided”—but nevertheless approved by the committee that commissioned it in 1958—the spare design is under attack once again.  A current city proposal would sheath the pipe columns in stone and remove the bathrooms at the rear.  Yielding to public pressure, the city has agreed to wait, pending a review by Canada’s Heritage Preservation Services.

Submitted by Alberto Sanchez-Sanchez