Rooftops of the University of Toronto and architecture Toronto ©jimallen

Jim Allen has documented the air quality control systems of the University of Toronto over a five to six year period from 2002-2007. He visited most of the rooftops to do it. This project included a significant amount of historic material that shows the many improvements made to the larger downtown campus. There has been a lot of attention, paid to this project and it has been featured in the Alumni Magazine as well as many other on campus periodicals. Mr. Allen is a local Toronto photographer, and conceptual artist whose specializing is fine art and portraiture. There are over 150 photographs of the campus rooftops. In a project of this scope it is entirely normal to have to win over the people who make a University tick, such as maintenance and mechanical staffs.. In general I must admit that many of the mechanical staff for the entire school were more than supportive, and did go out of thier way to help achieve my goal. The original show was promised to be in the school of Architecre on the campus. However after looking at the venue it may not have been as smart a place to exhibit. The University has every reason to be proud of thier green achievements as they were the first to explore it architecturally. The length of stacks were increased and the equipment to move toxic air out and the good air in has been first class. The people in the ground crew love the property as if it was thier own. I was honored to also work with Trinity College who had spectacular roofing facility with the best view of the campus. I have also added in other views of similar types of more modern architecture frpm areas around the city. I might also ad that Al Gore sold out Convocation hall and never spilled one word about the Universities architectural talents and then media accounts of the event in all four news venues failed to mention anything about the wonderful accomplishment with architects the likes of Jack Diamond. It is interesting to note the lack of leadership skills to bring this spirited effort to the publics attention. I consider the University of Toronto leaders in the effort to bring air quality control into focus as they have led the way to the future with splendid iconographic examples that work.

All questions about this work please contact: Jimallenfoto@sympatico.caJimallenfoto