You’re Invited: “The Future of Design” Talk May 27 + Doors Open Toronto 2016 May 28-29 at No Cost

The following video presents The 5 most amazing places we saw at Doors Open Toronto:

“Last weekend, curious citizens across the city were given access to a wide range of Toronto’s most interesting buildings at the 13th annual Doors Open Toronto.

The best places we saw include a building that reacts to the weather, the city’s most breathtaking library, the place your tap water comes from, and a massive pile of sugar.

Directed by Graham Runciman for The Grid.”

The 17th annual Doors Open Toronto returns on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, 2016, offering FREE and rare access to more than 130 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across the city.

The Doors Open Toronto 2016 theme of Re-used, Re-visited and Revised will explore the adaptive re-use of buildings throughout Toronto’s architectural history.

The weekend activities kick off on Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Design Exchange with the event’s first-ever keynote speaker, acclaimed designer Karim Rashid.

His talk The Future of Design will “explore how the future of the aesthetic world will cross all disciplines so that design, art, architecture, fashion, food and music fuse to increase everyone’s experiences and bring greater pleasure to the material and immaterial world.“
Seats for this event are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

One of the special programming is the “Unlock the City” game.

Teams of three can pre-register at https://urban-expeditions-test.myshopify.com/collections/toronto/products/game-2-toronto for an exciting four-hour game requiring teamwork, adaptive thinking and strategy as participants navigate the city for a chance to win prizes.
Prizes are:
1ST PLACE: 3 Android Tablets
2ND PLACE: 3 Via Rail $100 Gift Certificates
3RD PLACE: 3 MEC $50 Gift Cards

To plan your Doors Open Toronto weekend, please visit http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=42eafa2cd4a64410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD for information on FREE special programming, exhibits, walking tours, and talks that can be experienced during the event.

Enjoy and Good Luck! / Profitez-en et bonne chance!

NEWS RELEASE

3-May-2016

Doors Open Toronto announces exciting lineup of buildings and programming

Doors Open Toronto presented by Great Gulf has announced its lineup of buildings and enhanced programming for May 28 and 29. The 17th annual celebration of design will offer free and rare access to architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across Toronto.

This year’s event features more than 130 buildings, including over 40 new participants, an exciting speaker series and citywide walking tours. Details are now available at toronto.ca/doorsopen.

“The city’s buildings come alive during Doors Open Toronto weekend, giving residents the opportunity to discover and explore unique buildings and vibrant neighborhoods,” said Mayor John Tory. “I encourage Torontonians to visit the event’s many destinations, including City Hall.”

“Doors Open Toronto allows the public to learn more about the heritage and design that helps make this city great,” said Councillor Michael Thompson (Ward 37 Scarborough Centre), Chair of the Economic Development Committee. “Each year there are new buildings, walks and other activities for all to experience.”

“Great Gulf is excited to return as presenting sponsor of Doors Open Toronto celebrating architecture, heritage and design. Focused on the intersection of great design and art to enrich the human experience, we share this passion with Doors Open through our commitment to create the best architecturally designed buildings,” said Great Gulf President Christopher Wein. “We encourage you to join us in experiencing this incredible event with members of the international architectural and design community.”

The weekend activities kick off on Friday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Design Exchange with the event’s first-ever keynote speaker, acclaimed designer Karim Rashid. One of the most prolific and recognized designers of his generation, his talk The Future of Design will explore how the future of the aesthetic world will cross all disciplines so that design, art, architecture, fashion, food and music fuse to increase everyone’s experiences and bring greater pleasure to the material and immaterial world. Seats for this event are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are three other talks as part of the OpenInsights Speaker Series, exploring a variety of themes: Architecture is Art?; Bomb Girls – Trading Aprons for Ammo; and Why New Ideas Need Old Buildings.

Toronto City Hall will be a key destination during the Doors Open Toronto weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Visitors to the building can experience rare access to the Mayor’s office and the 27th floor observation deck, as well as to the council chamber.

Special programming will include:
• Timelapse Toronto – Visitors prioritize the physical and social infrastructure they would like to see added to the intensifying downtown with this activity sponsored by The Printing House 3D Studio.
• Colour Me Toronto – Visitors can unwind with limited edition colouring pages and learn about the talented Toronto street artists who created them to revitalize the city’s communities through art.
• Unlock the City – Teams of three can pre-register at bit.ly/26tH1A2 for an exciting four-hour game requiring teamwork, adaptive thinking and strategy as participants navigate the city for a chance to win prizes.

Thirteen free walking tours sponsored by the Carpenters’ Union – Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 27 and Drywall and Acoustic Lathing Local 675 will explore the history and architecture of several neighbourhoods. The 2016 theme of “Re-used, Re-visited and Revised” exploring the adaptive repurposing of Toronto buildings is highlighted throughout many of this year’s walking tours, including Industry and Internment in Liberty Village, Transforming Farquhars Lane/Reggae Lane, and Voices of Danforth East: A Jane’s Walk.

Full program details, including walking tour registration and a complete list of buildings, are available at toronto.ca/doorsopen.

About Doors Open Toronto
Since its inception in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has attracted more than two million visits to over 700 unique locations across the city. It is Canada’s largest Doors Open event and one of the three largest Doors Open events in the world. Doors Open Toronto is dedicated to celebrating built heritage, architecture and design. It is presented by Great Gulf and produced by the City of Toronto in partnership with the broader community. Look for information and updates at toronto.ca/doorsopen, Facebook at facebook.com/doorsopenTO, Twitter at @doors_openTO and Instagram at @doors_opento.
The event hashtag is: #DOT16.

About Great Gulf
Established in 1975, the Great Gulf Group of companies including Great Gulf, Ashton Woods Homes, First Gulf Corporation, Tucker HiRise Construction, H+ME Technology and Taboo Resort Golf and Spa, is one of North America’s premier real estate organizations. With major projects in Canada and the United States, the company’s fully-integrated activities span the entire real estate spectrum.

Toronto is Canada’s largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world’s most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.