The Art Gallery of Ontario is located in Toronto, Canada. Founded in 1900 by a group of private citizens as the Art Museum of Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is now the 10th largest art museum in North America. Due to a recent acquisition of over 10,000 works and the new AGO Transformation campaign, a redesign of the gallery was sought. The resulting expansion and renovation of AGO increases the exhibition space by nearly half the original size and reorganizes the internal circulation within the museum.
The Museum’s main exterior is transformed by the addition of an elevated façade made of gently curving glass and Douglas Fir, which stretches a full city block. This façade, which encloses a sculpture promenade, allows in natural light and connects the gallery to the community outside. A new titanium and glass-clad three-story south wing overlooking Grange Park has been added to house a new Centre for Contemporary Art and a hosting centre for special events. A sculptural spiral staircase arises from the 2nd floor walkways around Walker Court, through the glass roof, to each level of the new south wing.
The Art Gallery’s main entry lobby has been relocated to align the entrance with the historical core of the museum. A "Meeting Place" at the corner of Dundas and McCaul Street is accessible to pedestrians and includes retail shops, restaurants, a theatre, and a space for contemporary art projects accessible from the street.
Light and exposure of the surrounding environment are key elements in the renovation of AGO. Natural light from multiple skylights in the galleries as well as the glass facades enhance the viewing experience within the museum. The use of glass exposes the visitor to views of Grange Park on the south and Dundas Street on the north, linking the Gallery to its urban environment.
