The ROM_People Space?
The new addition to the Royal Ontario Museum opened in 2007. It has been both praised and vilified by the public. The new plaza space created along Bloor Street West has received less attention. This was also a part of the design and was viewed with high hopes. Christopher Hume, architecture critic for the Toronto Star said in 2007 that, “this new plaza is poised to become a marvellous addition to the public realm” and that, “Museum
Plaza could become one of those wonderful urban spaces that make city life so appealing.” Our study shows that this vision was never fully realized. The space is uninviting and users tend to always be moving through or past the space. Even with a scheduled event, a showcase of medieval dancing by performers of the ROM, a very small percentage of users stopped in the space to watch. As it is, the space does not protect users from any of the elements, and there is little variety of features. The space looks like something to just pass through, and that is what people do.
Plaza could become one of those wonderful urban spaces that make city life so appealing.” Our study shows that this vision was never fully realized. The space is uninviting and users tend to always be moving through or past the space. Even with a scheduled event, a showcase of medieval dancing by performers of the ROM, a very small percentage of users stopped in the space to watch. As it is, the space does not protect users from any of the elements, and there is little variety of features. The space looks like something to just pass through, and that is what people do.
