Art Gallery of Ontario, Weston Family Learning Centre

Toronto, ON

Project Facts

  • Client

    Art Gallery of Ontario

  • Location

    Toronto, ON

  • Status

    Completed 2011

  • Size

    35,000 Sq. Ft.

  • Partner

The Weston Family Learning Centre (WFLC), located in the west wing of the Art Gallery of Ontario, creates a light-filled teaching space for museum visitors, students, and the creative community to experience the power of art. Situated on the concourse and sub-basement levels, the renovation includes dedicated teaching areas and large flexible program spaces with urban views and interior vistas throughout. Simple design features add significant value: the vertically adjustable curved coatrack eliminates the need for a separate cloakroom; black-out screens along the west façade facilitate live performances, screenings or photography workshops; and robust furniture can be easily re-arranged to meet diverse program needs. The WFLC design accommodates diverse activities and user groups. Each meeting space integrates broadcast and video-conferencing capabilities to support multiple educational and private functions.

Project Facts

  • Client

    Art Gallery of Ontario

  • Location

    Toronto, ON

  • Status

    Completed 2011

  • Size

    35,000 Sq. Ft.

  • Partner

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row1

Original sketch by Siamak Hariri

“What Siamak has achieved, is a real sense of invitation through space and light, which is glorious and very much different than before.”– Matthew Teitelbaum, Former Director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario
“What Siamak has achieved, is a real sense of invitation through space and light, which is glorious and very much different than before.”– Matthew Teitelbaum, Former Director and CEO of the Art Gallery of Ontario

Original sketch by Siamak Hariri

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row2

Model Study of the Weston Family Learning Centre

Model Study of the Weston Family Learning Centre

A cantilevered glass paneled Seminar Room floats above the Gallery School, a 6,000 square foot studio space  that can be sectioned-off to accommodate various activities. 

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row3

A cantilevered glass paneled Seminar Room floats above the Gallery School, a 6,000 square foot studio space  that can be sectioned-off to accommodate various activities. 

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row4A
WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row4B
WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row5

Natural light illuminates a rich material palette of locally sourced Algonquin limestone with oak, coloured concrete, glass, and bronze through energy efficient, high-performance glazing.

Natural light illuminates a rich material palette of locally sourced Algonquin limestone with oak, coloured concrete, glass, and bronze through energy efficient, high-performance glazing.

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row6
WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row7A
WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row7B qyvRa9a

The New Education Commons Space

The New Education Commons Space

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row8A

The vertically adjustable curved coatrack located in the main entrance spaces of Weston Family Learning Centre makes strategic use of the space,  eliminating the need for a separate cloakroom.

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row8B

The vertically adjustable curved coatrack located in the main entrance spaces of Weston Family Learning Centre makes strategic use of the space,  eliminating the need for a separate cloakroom.

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row9

Active, hands-on, and social, the new Learning Centre is the city’s on-site and on-line studio for the celebration and teaching of art. The facility accommodates approximately 80,000 students annually.

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row10

Active, hands-on, and social, the new Learning Centre is the city’s on-site and on-line studio for the celebration and teaching of art. The facility accommodates approximately 80,000 students annually.

WestonFamilyLearningCentre Row11