Centennial College Story Arts Campus Library by Harsh Vardhan Jain

The Centennial College Story Arts Campus Library in Toronto’s East York is a carefully considered intervention in a historic 1954 building originally designed by Modernist master Peter Dickinson. Celebrated as one of Dickinson’s greatest works and a recipient of the Massey Medal for Architecture, the Toronto Teachers’ College building forms the architectural backbone of the campus. RDHA, under the direction of Harsh Vardhan Jain, was commissioned to renovate the existing 500-square-meter library while replacing a 1990s addition that protruded irregularly from the original structure. The goal was to transform the library into a vibrant, contemporary space while respecting Dickinson’s modernist language.

Site and Context

The original building’s Modernist vocabulary, characterized by clean lines, rhythmic fenestration, and structural clarity, informs every design decision. The 1990s addition, by contrast, disrupted the original compositional balance with its irregular geometry and fragmented presence. To restore coherence and optimize programming, the addition was demolished, including partitions, a staircase, and structural columns, allowing a clean slate for spatial reorganization. The renovation preserved the historic fabric while modernizing mechanical and electrical systems, creating a building that celebrates its architectural heritage and adapts it to current pedagogical needs.

The site also includes a small concrete-slab courtyard and an expansive front lawn. Design interventions here, including a narrow grey granite sliver and a river rock “pool,” subtly integrate the building into its landscaped surroundings. These gestures allow the library to mediate between campus architecture and the broader urban context, establishing a rhythm and dialogue with the original Dickinson composition.

Design Concept

The library renovation emphasizes transparency, lightness, and clear spatial connections. The new addition is conceived as a glass box with rhythmic vertical window bays and horizontal alignments that echo the patterns of Dickinson’s original structure. This careful alignment creates a thoughtful conversation between old and new, with the contemporary volume dematerialized through extensive glazing and reflective surfaces.

A ceramic frit pattern applied to the glass creates a trompe-l’œil effect, suggesting elegant internal louvers while controlling glare and reducing solar transmission. A glazed door opens directly to the courtyard, reinforcing the relationship between interior and exterior spaces and inviting the campus community to explore the library.

Interior and Spatial Experience

Inside, the library features a largely open-concept plan that prioritizes sightlines, natural light, and spatial continuity. A double-height reading atrium serves as the central hub for general collections and flexible study zones, offering a variety of seating types for both individual and collaborative learning. Perimeter areas are occupied by glass-walled programmed spaces, including a maker space, VR studio, study rooms, offices, and a computer lab/media screening room. Sliding glass doors provide visual permeability while maintaining functional separation.

The internal corridor of the original building is fully glazed, functioning as an exhibition space that animates circulation and encourages passersby to engage with the library. Through this transparency, light and views from the courtyard further penetrate the interior, enhancing the sense of openness and connectivity.

Materiality and Detailing

Material choices were carefully calibrated to harmonize the new addition with the original Modernist language while maintaining a contemporary expression. Polished concrete floors provide durability and reflectivity, enhancing daylight penetration. A perforated corrugated metal screen conceals a second-story classroom while introducing diffused illumination, its surface lit subtly with integrated aluminum-extruded LEDs for a seamless appearance.

Furniture and millwork reinforce the library’s design ethos. Custom Corian pieces complement furnishings by iconic designers such as Piero Lissoni and Pierre Paulin, with upholstery in muted greys and greens drawn from both the original building and the surrounding landscape. These details create a cohesive, tactile environment that balances visual sophistication with functional performance.

Sustainability and Integration

Although a relatively small project, the library demonstrates a rigorous approach to sustainability and adaptability. Modern systems are fully integrated, enhancing energy efficiency and providing long-term operational benefits. The design’s emphasis on daylight, visual permeability, and material longevity ensures that the library functions as a flexible, enduring component of the campus.

A Contemporary Dialogue

The Centennial College Story Arts Campus Library exemplifies how sensitive intervention can contemporize a historic Modernist building without eroding its architectural identity. The project reimagines the library as both a center of learning and a sculptural addition that complements its heritage context. Through careful attention to transparency, materiality, and spatial organization, the building creates a dynamic interplay between old and new, interior and exterior, quiet study and public engagement. The result is a library that is at once a beacon of architectural excellence and a flexible, inviting space for the Centennial College community and the surrounding neighborhood.

Photography: Tom Arban