Sometimes we travel the world to discover some of the greatest buildings are in our own backyard.
On September 20th the Autumnal Equinox was celebrated by a visit to the New Centre for Urban Ecology at the Humber Arboretum and the new BAPS Mandir in North Etobicoke. The theme of the afternoon was sustainability. Charles Hazell of TaylorHazell Architects took participants through the design of the Eco Centre, then Phil Reilly talked about the challenge to sustainable living. The second half of the Safari was through the Mandir where sustainability and it’s ties to local community were also a common theme.
Comments and thoughts of this event are below where participants have begun to turn these spaces into their places.
September 22, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Seeing the BAPS Mandir and the Eco glass house in one day is like skiing and playing golf on the same day. How many people get to do that? Thanks for the experience!
September 22, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Thank you for guiding me to places I might never have visited. Your effort is most appreciated.
And. In the spirit of living green I have rented plates and glasses for my family event this weekend instead of green-friendly disposables.
September 23, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Insightful, thought provoking AND entertaining. The tour and specifically your presentation had so much insight and research behind it. Thanks for making us “think outside the box” and re-consider how we can make a difference despite feeling like the small mouse in the boat.
September 25, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thoughtful, stimulating, and nicely paced I thoroughly enjoyed myself . Well done Phil and Nancy. The afternoon stands out in my mind as remarkable. It reminds us that there is so much going on out there. You demonstrated that all you have to do is bring people and a couple of buildings a little closer together for the sparks to fly. All reasons for hope and renewed commitment. Your talk was of course all about this and so well presented too. Thank you Phil!
September 27, 2008 at 4:17 am
One of the fascinating aspects of the Mandir was the contrast between the expansive plaza and approach, and the quite intimate interior. I wondered whether I really was inside the temple, expecting a large interior space.
Perhaps the effect of the enclosed, traditional design was to bring us closer to the Deities and Gurus, encouraging a more personal relationship, rather than something distant.
Another juxtaposition was the intricacy and detail of the Mandir compared with the spare interior of the Ecocentre. While the Mandir drew me to examine and wonder about the figures intricately carved on, it seems, all surfaces, the effect of the spare and transparent interior of the Ecocentre was to draw our attention to the natural world, an environment as complicated and perhaps even more textured than the Mandir.
I also got my wish to see a green roof up close, a brilliant educational move to have a small part of the green roof easily visible. Sedum as roofing- with a mat as medium with no soil! Who would have thought.
The afternoon provoked insight by juxtaposing two very different but extraordinary buildings. The safari worked for me, particularly since it took me where I never would have gone on my own.
-Tom
September 29, 2008 at 1:33 am
Phil & Nancy;
An outstanding effort on your part. Thank you for the provocative afternoon full of insight by juxtaposing two very different but extraordinary environments for meditation. This was not fully obvious to us when we signed on, thinking the safari simply took advantage of two sites with convenient proximity to each other. How very clever you were in crafting an interesting parallel between the two sanctuaries, particularly since they were of such contrasting aesthetics. It took us where we would never have gone on our own – the unexpected. Our thanks for the journey.
October 2, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Seeing these two buildings together like this really brought home not only a feeling of community but one of communion. Both buildings offer a wonderful place for meditation and inspired me to think differently about my environment.