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Raymond Moriyama was a renowned canadian architect that passed away as of September 1st, 2023 at the age of 93. Among the most popular projects of Moriyama there is the National War Museum and the Toronto Reference Library.
The National War Museum
Opened to the public in 2005, containing over 500,000 pieces related to military history of which over 13,000 are pieces of military art. The museum was designed to look as if it was emerging from the earth. The outside of the museum’s design was inspired by the first world war battlefields. The brutality of the war is partly symbolised from the shapes of trenches and craters. The roof of the museum is covered in grass, pulling the viewer away from the war scene and towards “nature reclaiming and healing the earth” (warmuseum). There are also a series of small windows of different sizes and shapes that depict morse code, saying “N’oublions jamais” in French, translating to, “Lest we forget.” The inside design on the museum is created to create the feeling of off balance, to elicit the chaos and instability provided by war.
Toronto Reference Library
Opened to the public in 1977. Through its first realisation, the five storey building was composed of red brick. It was a mass scaled building made by terracing the facade along the diagonal including bands of mirrored glass evoking an inner world within. Around 2015 some adjustments and improvements were made, led by Moriyama & Teshima Architects. These improvements included technological improvements to meet public space needs. In the revitalization process Ajon Moriyama, Raymond's son, was a partner in charge who said, “The key was creating as much flexibility - physically, operationally and socially - in the space as possible.” (Calvet).
Recommended Article
This article disscusses a brief overview of Raymond Moriyama and his academic accomplishments. Throughout the article you will learn how Moriyama became interested into architecture, several other projects of his, awards, etc. The article says, "Moriyama focused on creating humane buildings reflecting ideals of democracy, equality, and inclusivity" and is also described as a "visionary architect."
Sources
Calvet, Stephanie. “Toronto Reference Library.” Canadian Architect, 1 Feb. 2015, www.canadianarchitect.com/toronto-reference-library/#:~:text=The%20TRL%20opened%20its%20doors,suggested%20an%20inner%20world%20within. Accessed 23 Sept. 5AD.
“The Museum and the Lobby.” Canadian War Museum, www.warmuseum.ca/learn/the-museum-and-the-lobby/#:~:text=The%20architect%2C%20Raymond%20Moriyama%2C%20designed,of%20the%20brutality%20of%20war. Accessed 23 Sept. 5AD.
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