Filming architectural works is a beautiful endeavour if you let yourself hear the story and the themes within. Story within commercial video helps the viewer gain a perspective on the significance of design elements, it helps to answer the why behind the clips stitched together within the video production, but most of all, it engages. In the case of the newly remodelled North York Central Library the standout theme is one of growth. From bright eyed infants, to curious toddlers, inventive adolescents, researchers, life-long learners, and literature buffs, the library was designed to accommodate every stage of growth. A modern growth that follows a flow throughout the library, bottom to top. It’s design inspires social growth, individual development and in a way, through its complex curves, wide open atrium and stepped layering of floors mirrors the beautiful complexity of growing up in a diverse city.

Although it seems odd to be sharing this work now, in these times, when libraries are closed, there is relevance. Libraries are symbols of growth: we learn, we make adaptations to the way we live, we try to make things better, and we celebrate the things we want to remember. Although times may be darker right now, inside each library is a powerful light, the potential for what we can be. It houses the knowledge that reminds us that we have it within us to be resilient, that we are capable of great things, and that when we work together and share knowledge we can make great strides to overcome the challenges that lay ahead of us.

One of the key clips (captured by our talented DP Luis Moreira) symbolizing this theme of growth for us, showed the shadow of a child leaving the grasp of his mother’s hand to explore what the library has to offer (it’s very subtle, but you’ll notice it on the fourth floor, shown at 0:16).

We’re in uncharted territory here, but we’ll make it through.

Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects