TSA Guide Map: Toronto Architecture 1953-2003

Project Team: TSA Guide Map Committee
Graphic Design: Flavio Trevisan Studio
Client: Toronto Society of Architects

Project Description

The TSA Guide Map - Toronto Architecture 1953-2003 is a study of highly inspirational value with potential for significant impact on Toronto's development, both conceptually as well as in terms of the future built form of the city. The TSA Guide Map serves as catalyst to both encourage the exploration of the city of Toronto, as well as educate the public about its modern architecture.

The map is organized chronologically by date of construction, with projects of the Greater Toronto Area on one side and of the downtown on the other. Decisions regarding the final list of projects to be included on the map were difficult, so it was with this in mind that the format was structured, to allow for the large number of entries and the extensive data for each. The accordion-fold format was chosen for its ability to provide book-like 'flipability' without the need for costly binding. This format also allowed for full colour to be used throughout.

The maps themselves were designed to allow for correlation between the downtown and the Greater Toronto Area at large. The simplicity of the graphic provides easy legibility while providing layers of information-major and minor roads, subway lines, highways, major geographical features, as well as the locations of all of the projects, which are cross-referenced to the entries.

Jurors' Comments

In recommending this special award to the Toronto Society of Architects, the jury recognizes the TSA Guide Map's clarity and economy, and its practical usefulness to those keen to discover our city's built heritage from the last half-century. But we also wish to acknowledge the TSA's welcome enterprise in identifying and celebrating landmarks in Toronto's Modernist architectural legacy--a creative task we hope will be encouraged by this excellent and unusual city map.

While it is not a building or a proposal, it is a valuable contribution to the architectural knowledge of the city.