High Park Forest School

Location:   Toronto, ON

Type:   Heritage Evaluation Report, Feasibility Study

& Schematic Design

Area:    15,291 sq. ft.

ATA was retained by the City of Toronto and the High Park Nature Centre to undertake a three-part study that included a cultural heritage evaluation, an as-built/due diligence report and the conceptual design and budgeting of the old High Park Forest School Building. Since 2015 the City of Toronto has been leasing the property to the High Park Nature Centre however the restoration and renovation to the old High Park Forest School building was needed to meet the expanding program needs.

Consisting of a building with two porches, The City of Toronto owned this property located in High Park constructed in 1932. A Forest School program was started in the early 1900s over growing concerns with the health of children from low-income families living in crowded slums. The program began as a place for children with tuberculosis and later evolved into a summer school for underprivileged and malnourished children, giving them the opportunity to be exposed to fresh air, receive hot meals and a valuable education. By 1932, school attendance skyrocketed which prompted the construction of a permanent building for use by the school. The school closed in 1964 and the building sat vacant until 1975 when it was awarded to the Association of Visually Impaired Children.

The primary goals of the project were to determine whether the building was worthy of designation, determine stakeholder needs and prepare a design that would accommodate the City and its tenants’ needs within the existing building footprint. ATA’s thorough heritage assessment of the building discovered the significant historical architectural and contextual value. At the time of the study the building was not yet designated under the Heritage Act but the report found it to be worthy of designation and recommended that the City’s Heritage Department should be involved in any work being undertaken to ensure the building’s protection in the meantime.

The City, Park and Nature Centre staff all wished to see the building restored and renovated to allow for its continued use. The City and Park staff saw the chance to create a High Park Visitor Centre and additional offices. The Nature Centre wanted to optimize the property to better accommodate the activities run from the building year-round. One of the challenges was accommodating the wide variety of program areas needed within the building footprint. Early in the process it was recognized that an addition to the building was not viable. This was not only because of the potential impact it would have on the massing and form of the building but also due to the environmentally sensitive nature of the site. The answer was found in better utilization of the basement. Most of the building was supported by concrete piers so the rest of the basement was enclosed by wood framed walls that terminated at grade. ATA’s proposal recommended digging down to provide adequate head clearance and providing new walls to properly enclose the basement. The proposed design approach to the existing building is to minimize physical change to the exterior of the building. In order to accommodate current and future programs for the High Park Visitor Centre, the City of Toronto park staff, and the Nature Centre (tenant), the design utilizes the basement area for additional space, which is currently unfinished and unidentified. The footprint of the building as a result remains unchanged but the usable space within the building shell is sustainably increased.

ATA’s design proposed minimal exterior changes to the building. The timber design of the west porch was maintained. A glass enclosure situated behind the existing porch structure maintains the transparency of the porch while creating an enclosed space for the Visitor Centre. Because the building was built in 1932 barrier-free accessibility was nonexistent. To achieve barrier-free access a secondary exterior entrance on the north façade was modified and lowered to grade and on the east façade an entrance is provided from grade to the basement. A small elevator is provided in the main building and a platform lift within the Visitor Centre allow barrier-free access between floors without effecting existing building envelope.

Exterior elements such as eaves, windows, skirting around the base of the building were restored. It was proposed to convert the roof from asphalt to cedar shingles and to reinstate the copper flashing on the flared perimeter roof edge. To increase the visibility of the building, the existing overgrown planting at the foundation was to be cleared and the siding colour changed to a lighter earth tone from the current dark brown. The most significant change was provision of windows into the basement below the Great Hall. These provided natural light into proposed basement program rooms. The goal of the interior layout was to address the functional needs of the program while retaining in general the original arrangement of spaces.

The most significant modifications to the interior included:

The provision of a larger main foyer that provided staff better visibility of the entrances and circulation through the building. This would allow staff better control of access to and movement through the building by the public.

A new elevator lobby is proposed to provide barrier-free access to both floors.

The open-air west porch is to be converted into an enclosed Visitor Centre for the park.

The use of the basement is optimized, previously unfinished spaces will be properly enclosed, and floors lowered to provide adequate head room for visitors. A combination of activity rooms, washrooms and storage will be provided.

The project was modeled in 3D using Revit. The ability to present the design in three dimensions was a significant benefit to the Client and stakeholders. It allowed those who were not experienced in reading 2D plans and elevations a clearer understanding of what was being proposed.

After completion of the study and final conceptual design, a budgetary cost estimate and photorealistic rendered perspective were created to aid the City’s fundraising efforts for construction costs. The building is currently being used by the High Park Nature Centre as an education and community facility providing programs for children and people of all ages to enjoy and learn about nature.