Days Gone By

Following the recent 50th anniversary of York University, we thought we would share some photos of the campus community in the initial years of the institution. A lot has changed since the early years of the small, rural campus as YorkU quickly grew into the third largest university in Canada with over 50,000 students. But for a moment we can imagine what classes and campus life would have been like for these students and faculty members.

First Year Class at Osgoode Hall, 1944 (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

York University Campus, 1965 (credit: Clara Thomas Archives)

York University Faculty Members, 1961 (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

Campus Architecture: The Ross Building

West side of Ross Building & Central Square (credit: Wikimedia commons)

The Ross Building, named after York's founding president Murray G. Ross,  is one of largest and most recognizeable buildings on campus.  Officially opened in 1970 as the Ross Humanities and Social Sciences Building, it towered above the newly developing rural campus.

South side, facing the sun with concrete (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

The building is widely recognized as an excellent example of Brutalist architecture.  Although the term "Brutalism" is often mistakenly attributed to the movement's "brutal" honesty of building materials or even a "brutal" aesthetic, it originated from Le Corbusier's rough translation of "beton brut": French for "raw concrete."  Rather than attempting to hide a building's internal structure and functions, Brutalist architecture intentionally exposes them.  However, Brutalism is not limited to a certain aesthetic or trend - it also references a utopian ideology. A tendency towards socialism from the 1950s-1970s provoked designers to create buildings that were meant to be wholly democratic and integrative, although many critics argue the harsh lines and overpowering presence of these structures did just the opposite by discouraging social interaction. 

East side of Ross Building, showing original pedestrian ramp (credit: Clara Thomas Archives)

The upper terrace surrounding the west side of the Ross Building (between Scott Library and Curtis Lecture Halls) was envisioned as a grand outdoor amphitheater -- the original "Central Square" where students would congregate, and where convocation was held. This was initially accessed by a massive concrete pedestrian ramp leading up from what is now Vari Hall. 

Convocation on upper level Central Square (credit: Clara Thomas Archives)

The six-story tower was designed by Gordon S. Adamson & Associates for the UPACE group, who prepared the original master plan for the campus. It was built with open plan floors that could be easily adapted to accommodate the needs of a rapidly growing university.

Ceremonial entrance to the upper level outdoor square (credit: Tom Cochrane)

Originally intended to be the primary focal point, the initial dominating presence of the Ross Building has waned in recent years as the campus has grown up around it.  The ramp was dismantled  in 1988 to make room for Vari Hall, which was constructed to soften the aesthetic of the Ross building and create a new visual focal point for the campus environment.

Vari Hall with Ross Building in background (credit: York University)

Tell us about your experiences with the Ross Building. Do you use this space to study or hang out?

Master Plans across North America

The York University Keele Campus has seen substantial change over its 50-year history.

The initial 1963 Master Plan, by renowned landscape architects Sasaki Associates, envisioned a pastoral college plan with meandering roadways, situated in the midst of agricultural fields.

1963 York University Master Plan (credit: Sasaki Associates)

IBI Group updated the Master Plan in 1988 by laying a grid overtop of the campus to improve wayfinding.  This more intuitive form was intended to help integrate the campus into its increasingly urban surroundings.

1988 York University Master Plan (credit: York University)

University campuses around the world have unique factors determining their exact form. However, many of these innovative strategies can provide inspiration while we consider the needs of the updated Keele Campus Master Plan.

Fredrick Law Olmsted, an American landscape architect, in many respects paved the way for University campus planning policies. Between 1857 and 1950, Olmstead and his associated designed an astonishing 355 school and college campuses.

Frederick Law Olmsted (credit: Frederick Law Olmsted foundation)

Between 1857 and 1950, Olmsted and his successors designed 355 school and college campuses. Some of the most famous are:

•         Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island (1900-06)

•         Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (1867-73)

•         Duke University, Durham, North Carolina (1925-65)

•         Harvard Business School, Cambridge, Massachusetts (1925-31)

•         Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan

•         Stanford University, Palo Alto, California (1886-1914)

•         College of California, Berkeley, California (1865)

•         University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (1901-1910)

•         University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (1929-32)

•         University of Washington, Seattle, Washington (1902-20)

•         Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut (1874-81)

Duke University Master Plan (credit: Duke Architecture)

University of Idaho Master Plan (credit: University of Idaho)

Of particular interest are the University of California Berkeley and Stanford University plans. Originally designed by Olmsted, these campuses include extensive park lands and open spaces – much like York University. They value the integration of built and natural landscapes and work to enhance the University community’s connection to its environment.

Stanford University Master Plan (credit: Stanford University)

Updated Stanford University Master Plan (credit: Stanford University)

Updated University of California Berkeley Master Plan (credit: UC Berkeley)

Of a more urban nature are nearby University of Toronto and Ryerson University, and Yale University in the US. Both are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the city, blurring the distinction between academic, public and commercial lands.

University of Toronto Master Plan (credit: University of Toronto)

Yale University Master Plan (credit: Yale University)

With the urbanizing nature of the neighbourhoods surrounding how do you envision the Keele Campus changing? What Master Plan above do you think is most congruent with the needs of York University?

Woodlots on Campus

Hiking path within woodlot on campus

York University is fortunate to have over 10 hectares of recognized woodlots on the Keele Campus. Home to a diverse array of wildlife and vegetation, these forest remnants are a beloved part of the campus character and provide exceptional wildlife habitats, and recreational and educational opportunities for the YorkU community. Since the establishment of the Keele campus in the mid-sixties, campus master plans have sought to protect these ecological features.  

The four woodlots (Boynton Woods, Danby Woods, Boyer Woods and Osgoode Woods) are singled out as Open Space Areas of importance in the City of Toronto York University Secondary Plan. Both the Osgoode and Boyer Woods are part of the City of Toronto’s Natural Heritage System, while the Pond, Boynton and Danby Woods are included in the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority Terrestrial Natural Heritage System Strategy. 

Students explore woodlot

Our woodlots contain dozens of tree species, such as the Silver Maples of Boynton Woods, the Sugar Maples of Danby Woods, and the Dry-Fresh Deciduous Forests of Boyer and Osgoode Woods. This diversity creates a rich habitat for local wildlife and migratory birds in the midst of the built environment.

Policies for the protection, maintenance and restoration of these areas include the development of a comprehensive Renaturalization Plan that guides the growth of wildlife corridors connecting the woodlots and protective buffers against adjacent development lands. The document also requires that the updated Master Plan detail ongoing stewardship programs to maintain the health of the woodlots.

Proposed York University Natural Heritage System (credit: LGL Ltd.)

Committing to its responsibilities in protecting the woodlots, the York University Development Corporation contracted LGL Ltd. Environmental Research Associates to complete a thorough Natural Heritage Report for the Keele Campus. The report proposes a revised version of the York University Natural Heritage System (above) that includes the four woodlots, the Black Creek/Hoover Creek valley corridor and cultural meadow and meadow marsh communities. Recommendations are made to protect each woodlot with a 10m buffer between natural areas and proposed development, and to establish 3m buffers where development has already occurred. In order to restore their ecological integrity, the report also states that the University should mandate ongoing environmental management plans.

Tree-lined buffer along woodlot edge

Because these woodlots are on the periphery of campus, they are little known to many campus users.  Do you have a woodlot experience to share?  Have you used the woodlots for school projects or assignments? How would you like to see our woodlots protected?