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?