Given the miserable weather in Toronto today, I'm going to change this discussion away from Bruce Mau Design's internal operations, to the city he has chosen over ours. This entry is admittedly superficial—sorry, but I'm swamped with work, and this snow storm is not helping.

I visited Chicago a few weeks ago for the first time in years. If I were to describe the city in one phase it would be this: It is the only city I've been to where looking down on it from fifty stories resembles looking at a plan from an urban design studio exercise. Maybe that's one of the reasons Bruce chose to move his main office there—the city's centre is an ongoing, high-level design project. Following are a few images of the city including some from the very successful Millennium Park Project—Chicago's answer to unsightly railway yards (Toronto planners, are you listening??). Any city that can pull off a project like this one deserves our attention.


Chicago's famed Riverside Drive blends into the "Golden Mile"


The Navy Pier Amusement Park


Anish Kapoor's "Cloud Gate" sculpture—Millennium Park


Jaume Plensa's "Crown Fountain" reflecting pond in winter—Millennium Park

1. Chicago has something Toronto may never have. Design Money. Businesses that are prepared to spend cash on Design. Toronto may be Canada’s financial capital, and one of North America’s top 5 or 6 design centres yet, design in this country still rates below Oil, Lumber, Nickel, Aluminum or hockey tape. There’s still work to be done.

   Posted by Peter Rogers  on  02/04  at  12:57 AM

2. I admire Bruce’s initiative. I always have.

   Toronto can be a very very difficult place to be a substantial visionary. I liken Toronto to a very beautiful love interest who is aware of their own attraction and allure … but has taken it for granted. The visionary tries to please them, impress them, fawn and flatter them … and sacrifice for them. Visionaries give of themselves with the hope of reciprocity. Visionaries in Toronto hope that the sweetness and affection that we pour into our kisses will one day be returned in kind.

   Sadly yet gleefully the sweet and genuine embrace of another (city), the returned kiss of another (city) after years of cold response has taken it’s toll.

   Toronto loses a bright light in Bruce. I believe, that light will visit us again except this time his light will be energized by another (city) aware that beauty is hard-earned, shared and reciprocated.

   I was once courted by Chicago as a young student however I stayed in Toronto because I had hope. Had hope.

   I admire Bruce’s initiative. He carries with him some of my hope; hope that I too will find that sweet reciprocity that mirrors my imagination, ability and passion with which to do life and business.

   Posted by  on  02/13  at  10:05 PM

<< Back to main