Assessment

In accordance with the Competition Brief, the Jury took into account:
The challenge in expressing long standing Coptic Orthodox symbolism and spiritual values with renewed vigour, particularly as expressed in the Cathedral,
Success in creating a feeling of Holy Grounds,
Harmonious relationships between the component buildings and spaces between them,
Wheelchair accessibility,
Phasing ability,
Ingenuity in site planning and integrating large quantities of parking, and
An appropriate balance between free movement within the complex and the security and privacy of open spaces.

In summary, the quest was for a master plan which fully met the architectural, spiritual, and programmatic values expressed in the Competition Brief and Program Notes.


Process

The Jury met for a briefing and informal discussion over dinner on Monday night, July 14th. On Tuesday morning, they attended an early morning mass and toured St. Mark's Church.

The 64 submissions had been randomly numbered and set up in booths in a convention hall. During the first morning, the jurors each separately reviewed all the submissions, without making any judgments or discussing their observations with other jury members. In the afternoon, they began evaluation by tagging those submissions they individually thought might be potential contenders for a prize or honourable mention, again without debate. Nearly half the submissions were tagged in this way. These were then reviewed and discussed by the Jury as a whole, but without any further decisions. The following morning, Wednesday, deliberations began, and this time the contenders were re-tagged after a joint review of their merits in each case, resulting in about 18 submissions for further consideration. One of the main items of discussion was how explicit the dome or domes can be as an expression of "Heaven on Earth" and a vehicle for the Icon of Christ.

In the afternoon, the prize-winners and honourable mentions were selected, by a combination of elimination and positive selection. The envelopes containing the winners' names were then opened.



Allocation of Prizes

The competition's Program Notes covered a lot of ground, without establishing separate mandatory vs. non-mandatory requirements. The Jury, therefore, had both the ability and responsibility to balance the pros and cons of the various submissions' master planning, architectural, religious and programmatic merits. There were schemes with great architectural merit, and/or excellent master plan arrangements, and/or which provided all of the program components, and/or with imaginative interpretations of the symbolic challenge of an "Egyptian-Coptic Architecture reborn in 21st Century expression". However, the jury did not find one which met all four to a sufficiently high standard to warrant a 1st prize. Two 2nd prizes and two 3rd prizes were identified. The cash amounts were confirmed as those set in the Brief for each category, i.e., $35,000 for the 2nd prize and $25,000 for the 3rd prize. These add up to the total prize money of $120,000 originally envisioned.

This arrangement also meets the Church's intent of the competition, which was to explore master planning constraints and opportunities, and provide a pool of contenders for the selection of an architect for subsequent design work.



2nd Prize


METROPOLITAN COPTIC CHURCH, TORONTO, 2003
Robert Levit, Toronto

An elevated cathedral, generous public open space, clear division between sacred and secular buildings, and logical parking access.

Strengths:

The scheme has thoughtful massing and deployment of the main program elements. The Cathedral base is elevated, which allows for a ramping ascent from the street. There is a careful, appropriate tectonic expression for the scheme as a whole, with noticeable harmony among the buildings. The organization of green and open spaces is good.


There is a convincing multi-purpose east-west access road across the entire site, permitting separation of institutional and other uses as well as convenient parking access throughout the site. The scheme is easy to phase. The Cathedral is subtly located, with good exposure along its side onto Steeles Avenue, but with the main pedestrian approach from Ferrier Street.


Weaknesses or modifications needed:
The Cathedral design is generally appropriate in character, but disappointingly underdeveloped, particularly in dramatic impact. The dome treatment of both the Cathedral and Church need further study to provide a more uplifting expression.




2nd Prize

THE 13 FONTS OF MARKHAM
CDP/TWC, Boston

A classic cathedral form incorporating Coptic tradition, excitingly interpreted in modern language, set in a composition of grand entry plaza and interior gardens.

Strengths:
The scheme is notable for its appropriate, modern re-interpretation of the language of form of traditional Coptic religious buildings. It has a logical and thoughtful deployment of the main program elements on the site. The Complex expresses the desired village character and Coptic spiritual values with the Cathedral location in the centre, yet subtly positioned and massed to be prominent and visible from Steeles Avenue, without actually being on it. The forecourt has an excellent sense of arrival.


The open spaces are generous and well arranged for housing occupants, as well as for school use, offering security and privacy. There is an interesting mixed pedestrian-vehicular access way across the site from east to west, serving the Cathedral entry as well as other functions. There is a good balance between a desired "village" character and pedestrian and vehicular permeability from the surrounding roads. In principle, the parking arrangement around the perimeter permits the Cathedral to be built first with surface parking, which can be later replaced (with further additions) below grade. Green roofs contribute to increasing the bio-mass of the City and insulating against heat loss.


Weaknesses or modifications needed:
The half "dome" at the east end of the Cathedral is not explicit enough, and should be reworked as a geometrically stronger dome element. The proposition of natural light for the Cathedral through a glazed vaulted roof is an innovative and exciting one, but may be problematic relative to heat gain, snow load and leakage. It need not be all glass. The phasing is underdeveloped, but could be workable given further study. The Sunday School seems poorly located. The required separately leasable office building component is missing. The Cathedral is unnecessarily large in plan area. The Baptistry location should be reconsidered. The Church Hall may need greater functional separation from the Nave. The elevation treatment is spotty; it is well-developed for the institutional elements, but awkward for housing and "administration".



3rd Prize

PYRAMIDS OF SPIRITUAL HARMONY
Hariri & Hariri Architecture, New York


A clean composition of large central space containing the dramatic forms of Cathedral and Church, including numerous interpretations of the Cross, and framed by the other buildings.


Strengths:
A most dramatic solution, fulfilling the landmark requirement of the competition. The scheme proposes an excellent site arrangement, with secondary buildings, each with a clear sense of place, organized in an inverted "L" embracing the two churches. The Cathedral has very good exposure to both Steeles Avenue and Ferrier Street, a generous forecourt, landscape setting and processional entry ramp. Phasing is simple and straightforward. The phasing and ultimate organization of parking is well worked out.


Weaknesses or modifications needed:
The scheme may pose a problematic interpretation of the traditions of Coptic religious architecture, given the lack of a dome. The forms, as depicted, have an appealing soft and tactically inviting feel, which may be misleading and not possible with real plastic material such as concrete.



3rd Prize


WELCOMING ENCLOSURE
Burckhardt + Partner, Zürich

Ephemeral domes of light enclosed within elegant translucent cubes of steel and glass, set in a reflective pool of water, thus establishing a sacred place framed by a built ring containing the other elements of the project.


Strengths:
A brilliant concept, imaginative and thoroughly executed and depicted, addressing both the secular and religious requirement by 21st century means of glass and steel. The positioning of the two cubes in the water body within the site allows for contemplation and wonder by fusing sky and water. A true religious experience. This design also leads us to the 21st century of sustainable buildings by using vegetation and water and addressing heat recovery and optimum sun shade. The minimalist solution is a delight to the eye, creates a striking landmark, and has the potential to be an object of architectural pilgrimage.

This submission provides a new approach to the all-important Coptic concept of the Church being "Heaven on Earth", through creating an ephemeral dome of light; a real contribution to the debate about the rebirth of a contemporary Coptic architectural expression.

Weaknesses or modifications needed:
The difficulty of depicting the Icon of Christ on the ephemeral dome presents a challenging re-interpretation of the language of form of traditional Coptic religious architecture. The site plan appears too introverted, surrounding the Cathedral and Church with a continuous wall to the public streets. The phasing is problematic, with all functions in a single building composition. It is unlikely to fit the budget range of church construction identified in the Brief.




Honourable Mentions


AND THERE WAS LIGHT
Ivan Saleff Architect, Toronto
A Cathedral design based on sacred Coptic numerology in proportion, columns, stairs, bays, and a dramatic translucent double dome configuration.


ENCLOSURE THRESHOLD CLOTH SACRED
Ambroziak Design Office, Knoxville
A tightly knit religious village or small "Mediterranean" townscape of buildings and town squares, with the cathedral as the high point.


EREMOS AIGYPTOS DIAKONIA KOINONIA
Gulzar Haider Design Group, Ottawa; Architects Alliance, Toronto
Twelve gardens, a town square, and a Cathedral interior of enclosing tree-like columns within a shimmering translucent cube.


EYE IN THE SKY
Helix Architecture, Seattle
A singular building encompassing the various program elements in a sensuously curved, jewel-like mega structure.


FOSS 0123
R + U Architecture, Brackendale, BC
Handmade model and drawings depicting a composition based on Noah's Ark; cathedral and church within a symbolic sea.


ILLUMINATED LANDSCAPE
AnnBehaArchitects, Boston
A monumental lawn as both setting and amenity, and a grand entry sequence from underground parking to cathedral.


MOTHER OF GOD THEOTOKOS
Town Planning Design & Architecture, Braine L'Alleud, Belgium
Using an icon of Mother and Child as a template, the Cathedral is in place of the Virgin, the Church as Christ, and the other facilities as a terraced-garden Halo.


WHERE EVERYTHING IS ONE
i & sd architecture + design, Milan
A cross-shaped, vaulted colonnade connects buildings and courts to symbolize the Coptic interweaving of faith, culture and secular activities.




Jurors

George Baird, Professor of Architecture at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design, and Principal in Toronto firm Baird Sampson Neuert Architects Inc.
Larry Richards, Dean of University of Toronto's Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design
Cornelia Oberlander, renowned British Columbia-based landscape architect
Father Marcos A. Marcos, St. Mark's Proto Priest

Mofeed Michael, member of the congregation, Chair of the Project Committee, architect and planner
Roger du Toit, Jury Chair and Professional Advisor, Principal of du Toit Allsopp Hillier, Toronto