Massey College | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Massey College

Massey College, Toronto (designed by R.J. THOM, completed in 1963). At the height of international-style architecture in Canada, the design of Massey College seemed to break ranks, to look backwards or sideways, rather than forward.

Massey College

Massey College, Toronto (designed by R.J. THOM, completed in 1963). At the height of international-style architecture in Canada, the design of Massey College seemed to break ranks, to look backwards or sideways, rather than forward. Considered 2 decades later, it appears ahead of its time, a remarkable anticipation of new directions in architecture. It is, as well, simply among the best buildings in Canada. Thom's design was the result of a 2-stage, limited competition held in 1960 by the Massey Foundation. In response to Vincent MASSEY's desire for a building that evoked his Oxford experience, Thom combined informality of layout and richness of detail with all-embracing order, a limited palette of materials dominated by brick.