Thursday, May 31, 2012

Healing Lodge at 30 College St

Of the places I toured during last weekend's Doors Open Toronto the most impressive one for me was the Native Child and Family Services Of Toronto building on College St. They purchased the 4 storey office building in 2007 and did a wonderful redesign and renovation of the whole structure to suit their needs and culture. I am starting on the green roof which is planted with traditional Anishnaabe medicines such as cedar and sage as well as other appropriate plantings. The most spectacular part of the roof is this corten steel Healing Lodge  that is influenced by the traditional Anishnaabe Sweat Lodge but is modern and urban while at the same time giving people in the city a chance to have ceremony and healing! I'll show you a couple of more shots including the interior of the lodge over the next few days. I had shown you the sign at the building entrance here.

16 comments:

Linda said...

I'll be really interested to see the inside.
Just the words 'cedar' and 'sage' are cleansing.

Paul in Powell River said...

I certainly like the look of it!!

LĂșcia said...

It's so good to see Toronto preserves their culture and also integrate them into modern life. ;-)

ArtandArchitecture-SF.com said...

That is incredible, so hard to believe it is corten, it looks just like wood. And as you were describing the plantings I could just smell the aroma, what a wonderful spot.

Dianne said...

lovely roof top

your ghost sign below is fantastic

VioletSky said...

this is beautiful - and so not what I would have expected!

Jack said...

This sure is unexpected, RedPat. Nice form and color in this setting.

Halcyon said...

This is one of the places I would have liked to visit, but didn't have the time. Glad to see it through your eyes!

PS: Did you enter any shots in the photo competition?

Randy said...

Very interesting.

Anonymous said...

Truly a wonderful piece of working art. – gary

Michael Rowland said...

It's yurtlike, I want to live in it. Have a great weekend Pat,,,M

Sharon said...

How interesting and beautiful at the same time. Sounds like a wonderful mixture of old and new.

Sandy said...

Different. But I like it. Thanks for sharing. =)

EG CameraGirl said...

I''m really sorry I missed the Doors Open as I would have loved to see this in person!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Love the pattern on that dome!

Kranky Granny said...

I enjoyed all your post on this healing lodge. The entrance is spectacular. The views amazing. In fact I wish I could take advantage of their services. It might help these old achey bones a good deal.