> DOORS OPEN TORONTO: FIVE HIGHLIGHTS

1. Walking Tours This year, Doors Open offers 11 walking tours. The tours, which span a variety of neighbourhoods, dive into the stories, histories and architecture of the areas. “Every year we do one that’s commissioned especially for our theme,” said programming supervisor Kerri MacDonald. “This year it’s ‘Modernism on the Grand Avenue: the 1960s and ’70s on University Ave.’” 2. City Hall Observation Deck Attendees can see Toronto from a whole new vantage point over the Doors Open weekend. Every year the 27th floor observation deck is open to the public. “But that’s the only two days it’s open,” MacDonald said. “It’s never open any other day.” This year, historical interpreters will also be on hand to provide information about Toronto’s architectural history. 3. TD Centre To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, 150 buildings will be open to explore. One such building is the Mies van der Rohedesigned TD Centre, which the Doors Open Toronto website dubs “Toronto’s first significant modern structure,” which turns 50 this year. After the tower’s brief hiatus from Doors Open over the past few years, the 54th floor boardroom gallery will be open for visitors to take in the views, and music performances will take place in the lobby. 4. OpenInsights Speaker Series Two speaker events, “What is Canadian Architecture?” and “Where are the Women Architects?” will kick off and close the weekend, with the first falling on Friday at 7 p.m. and the latter on Sunday at 4 p.m. Both events will feature a number of panellists. The first will look at Canadian architecture. “Is there one vision? Are there many? Is it regional or is it inspired by multiculturalism? Is it inspired by nature?” MacDonald said. The second will examine why only approximately 25 per cent of architects are women. 5. Live Mural Painting The public can watch a mural come to life at 30 College St. as it’s painted over the weekend. In partnership with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto, Indigenous youth and two former artists of 7th Generation Image Makers, Monique Bedard (Aura) and Nancy King (Chief Lady Bird), will paint the piece starting on Saturday at 10 a.m. and wrapping up Sunday at 5 p.m. Attendees can also talk to the artists and tour the building.