Described as a place where architecture meets art, the Frank Gehry redesign of the Art Gallery of Ontario is the first time Gehry has worked in Canada. One of the main goals set for Gehry was to connect the city to the gallery. I think he does this very well in the Gallaria Italia.
The Gallaria Italia in the AGO.
Here Gehry visually connects the city to the gallery with the use of soaring windows across the front of the building. This allows people on the street to view the art. Inside the space is kept intimate through the use of wood. Wood is used in the floor and furniture as well as the structure. Interestingly, this is the largest public project to use structural wood in Canada.
Another outstanding aspect of the redesign is the Baroque Stair.
The Barogue Stair in the AGO.
The stairs are the equivalent of 11 stories high and were designed to not only be functional but to be experienced. Gehry uses dimensions and scale to create a very unique experience.
There are many other wonderful aspects to this redesign, you can take a audio journey here.
