Galbraith Building: Difference between revisions

The '''Galbraith Building''', named for [[John Galbraith]] (the first [[Dean of Engineering]]) and located on 35 St. George Street, was completed in 1960 as the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering experienced a period of rapid expansion from the late 1940s to 1950s. It was constructed at a cost of $7 million, and was designed by Page and Steele architects (who later redesigned the interior of the [[Sandford Fleming Building]] after it was destroyed by a fire). It currently houses many of the Faculty's main operations, including the Registrar's Office, the First Year Office, and the Civil Engineering Department.

It was not until the late 1950s that a new building was approved by the Board of Governors, on a budget of about $7 million.<ref>University of Toronto Engineering Society, Skule Handbook, 1959-1960</ref> In the meantime, the Department of Civil Engineering had grown too large for the original Engineering Building, and was forced to share space with the Department of Electrical Engineering in the Electrical Building (now the [[Rosebrugh Building]]), which has been described as "prison-like" by Faculty of the time. At this time, several developments were expected to change the face of the Skule&trade; campus, including the planned demolition of the old "[[Skulehouse]]" within the decade, and the construction of a new physics building which would free up the [[Sandford Fleming Building]] (then known as the old Physics Building) for engineering. Indeed, the new Galbraith building was to be connected to the western end of the old Physics Building and function as one interconnected structure.

 

=== Dean McLaughlin's Speech at the Opening Ceremonies ===

Dean [[R.R. McLaughlin]]'s speech of March 1961 at the opening ceremonies provides insight into the plans and hopes of the Faculty at that time:<ref name="Opening"/>

 

The Galbraith Building, much like many buildings at the University constructed in the mid-twentieth century, is said to be designed in the spare [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Style_(architecture) International Style] with its clean geometric lines and exposed concrete structural elements. It is a kind of "square donut" built around a courtyard (known to most students as the "GB Quad"). The main architectural features consist of regular concrete columns and beams forming bays filled by dark and light-brown brick. On the north side, the columns are clad with limestone.<ref>L.W. Richards, ''The Campus Guide: University of Toronto'' (Princeton Architectural Press, 2009).</ref>

 

===Becca's H===

The steel sculpture at the front of the building on the West side is known as ''Becca's H'', donated to the Faculty in 1973 and designed by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Murray_(artist) Robert Gray Murray], a Canadian sculptor known for his abstract designs. The minimalist red sculpture is so named because it is shaped like the letter "H" and is dedicated to the artist's daughter, Rebecca.<ref>https://thevarsity.ca/2014/10/20/hiding-in-plain-sight/</ref> The plaque in front of the sculpture reads: "Presented by grateful alumni and friends to commemorate the centennial of the founding of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering University of Toronto 1873-1973."

 

==References==