2009 was a rough time for the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). Just before year end, the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal addition at the ROM received yet another crystal bashing blow. Earlier in the year VirtualTourist.com placed the ROM 8th on its list for the world’s top 10 ugliest buildings. This time it was the Washington Post’s Philip Kennicott who declared it the worst piece of architecture erected in the last decade.

The addition to the museum has been a hot topic since its original inception. Prior to the bold new look, the museum stood on the Avenue and Bloor corner in a very box-like manner. The 1914 structure never really grabbed my attention as an actual museum (although the inside definitely was). From the street it was just another building…that was until philanthropist Michael Lee-Chin and others donated a portion of the 270 million dollar extension of the ROM. Designed by Daniel Libeskind and completed in 2007, the ROM went through an extensive makeover giving it a whole new facade.

Aside from what all the out-of-town critics say about the ROM, I like it…and here’s why. Yes, it’s different, very different from anything else in the world and that is something Torontonians should be proud of. Having a piece of the city that evokes an emotion other than “oh this looks so New York” or “this is just like that thing in Chicago” is very rare. Hopefully future travellers in other parts of the world can look at similar structures and say “Hey, that building looks just like the museum in Toronto!”

Secondly, it isn’t another box! The addition looks like it’s exploding out of the original structure. That to me is such a welcoming change from all the other bland and conservatively designed structures throughout Toronto. Every time I’m in the area, there’s somebody snapping a picture of it. The new design gives the Bloor and Avenue corner a very grand feel. I feel as if the purpose of architecture is to get people talking, to inspire, to send a message. The ROM does all of this even before you walk in to see an actual exhibit! Need more proof? Walk around the museum, you’re sure to find tourists snapping pictures the building.

We’ve heard the negative press, you’ve heard my opinion….now what’s yours?  Leave a comment below!

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