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Hariri Pontarini Architects renovates Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) will undergo an architectural renovation designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects. The largest museum in North America and one of the largest in Canada, the architects transformed its ground floor and Bloor Street entrance, introducing an interior plaza “full of energy and artistic expression.” The multifaceted effort, called OpenROM, aims to “open more museums to the public,” revolutionizing the museum experience and making it more accessible to the cultural institution’s 1.4 million annual visitors.
Central to this transformation is the redesign of the entrance to the square. The space is designed to welcome natural light, serve as a nexus for various programs and performances, and foster a sense of inclusivity and community engagement. In addition, the upper level houses an additional 550 square meters of gallery space. The entire main floor of OpenROM is free to the public and aims to foster accessibility and cultural enrichment in the city.
The heart of OpenROM is located in Hennick Commons, a bustling center named in recognition of the Hennick Family Foundation’s transformative gifts. Anchored by a four-story atrium with a high-performance glass ceiling, the space serves as a gathering place for conversation and cultural offerings. Extending its reach beyond the museum walls, the scheme also revitalizes the famous Bloor Street and Queens Park intersections. The design features a water feature adorning the traditional facade that changes with the seasons as a symbolic tribute to Canada’s natural environment.
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Central to this revitalization work is the transformation of the Bloor Street entrance, which features a bronze canopy that shelters guests as they embark on their journey. This architectural form offers a glimpse into the educational experience of the future, complements the renowned Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee Chin Crystal, and provides unobstructed views of the museum’s world-class collections.
We will reintroduce the ROM to Toronto with a design that literally turns the museum inside out, erasing the boundaries between the public realm and the interior. We will bring daylight and views deep into the interior and create porous connections to Bloor Street, the ground floor public spaces and the gallery itself. ——Siamak Hariri.
The architectural “core” of OpenROM is the water lily connector that spans three floors of ramps and stairs. The design hopes to seamlessly blend the old and new wings of the building together to enhance flow and connect various parts of the museum, providing experiential navigation for visitors. In fact, OpenROM aims to usher in a new era of cultural vitality and accessibility, further cementing ROM’s status as a beacon of inspiration for urban fabric.
Museums are important cultural institutions and iconic landmarks within cities, promoting community engagement and recognition among residents. Recently, it was reported that the Joslyn Art Museum in Nebraska announced that the restoration work led by Snøhetta is nearing completion and is expected to open in September this year. Additionally, the Qatari Museum has just released renderings of the future Lusail Museum designed by Herzog & de Meuron. The design houses one of the largest collections of Orientalist art and aims to explore the flow of people and ideas across the globe over the centuries. Finally, Herzog & de Meuron announced the design of the Seoripul Open Art Storage, a collective archive that will house three different museums in Seoul: the Seoul Museum of Art, the Seoul Museum of Arts and Crafts, and the Seoul Museum of History.
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