Loretto College School
Location – 151 Rosemount Avenue, Toronto, Ontario
Status – Completed 2005
Loretto College School is a replacement of an existing downtown girl’s Catholic high school to continue the 100 year tradition of the Loretto Sisters. SSA was commissioned by the Toronto District Catholic School Board in 1999 to prepare a pre-planning study for the replacement of Loretto College School in downtown Toronto. The school was approved to be located on the Rosemount site
The design emphasis is on being “transparent” and “visible”, and therefore, “secure”. This fosters co-operative excitement about learning and showcases all programs and opportunities available for its students.
The building has a small floor plate, vertically integrated over three levels around the Student Forum (atrium), which is surrounded by “visually open” classrooms, student amenities, administration and teacher / community resources. The atrium is the “heart” of the school, and is utilized for full school masses, assemblies, dances, theatre, art shows, dance classes, spill-over from cafeteria, and homework. The open gym, with its full height glass wall facing west, overlooks the Community and adjacent municipal park.
The chapel is a sanctuary by the main entrance. Loretto expresses its Catholicism by the cross on the highest point of the tilted atrium roof, visible from all aspects around the building.
The sloped site has been utilized to advantage in terms of internal / external circulation and vertical integration of the three story building. Natural light is provided to all interior spaces, with extensive views to the outside.
Internal windows allow for openness and visibility.
Loretto College School is a wonderful nurturing girls high school, extremely well integrated with the community in its urban location, with a hundred years of tradition.
Working with the Principal, School teachers, staff and students, community members, Board staff, the Superintendent, and consulting the Loretto Sisters to learn about Loretto College School — its past, present, and projected future, the program and concept design for the New Loretto College, was developed.
