Doors Open Waterloo Region 2010 | September 18 (10AM - 5 PM)

[UrbanWaterloo]

Doors Open Waterloo Region 2010
September 18 (10AM - 5 PM)
Websites: RoW (www.region.waterloo.on.ca/doorsopen) | Doors Open Ontario (www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_11251_1.html)
Past Threads: 2009 & 2008

2010 Theme: "Made in Waterloo Region"
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGgYGgk5VifXCtDoELvnHgE9ouiK-lJxLCTSlb2OPYMhoLVrT_7g

Suggest a Doors Open building! (Send your suggestions to doorsopen@region.waterloo.on.ca)
Open YOUR building! (Applications are being accepted until May 1, 2010 to participate in Doors Open 2010) Send an email to doorsopen@region.waterloo.on.ca or call 519-747-5139 to receive a Doors Open application package)

Pick up a map and guide at libraries, museums and tourism offices across Waterloo Region from July-September, or in the Waterloo Region Record on Saturday, September 11.
More site listings to come!

Col. J.A. McIntosh, DSO, ED, Armoury
1 Valour Place, Cambridge
Year Built: 1914
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Home of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, this fine 1918 example of the “1880 Series” of Canadian armouries, with its Tudor-influenced design, brick-and-limestone construction, corner towers and turrets, is in the downtown core of Cambridge. The displays of regimental history in the armoury’s museum preserve the region’s strong military heritage.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11953_2847946_Armoury.jpg


Evenholme Estate & Spa
16 Isabella Street, St. Jacobs
www.evenholmeestate.com
Year Built: 1898
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This elegant 1898 Queen-Anne-style mansion features an interior with inlaid wood flooring and original mouldings, doorframes and stained glass in every room of the main floor. Surrounded by five acres of towering pines, groomed gardens, tennis courts and a swimming pool, Evenholme has 10 elaborately furnished guest suites.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11955_3029831_Evenholme-Estate-Spa.jpg


Former Public Utilities Commission Building
195 King Street West, Kitchener
www.sig.uwaterloo.ca
Architect: B.A. Jones; Year Built: 1931-32
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This art deco 1931-32 structure, one of Kitchener’s oldest remaining public buildings, has a richly detailed granite-and-sandstone exterior, including carefully crafted metalwork, cut stonework, brass doors and carved medallions. Inside are the original elevator and mosaic floors. Now home to the University of Waterloo’s Social Innovation Generation initiative.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11945_8286_Former-Public-Utilities-Commission.jpg


Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
137 Queen Street South, Kitchener
www.historicstpauls.ca
Architect: Jonas Knechtel; Year Built: 1889
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Built in the vernacular Gothic style and one of Kitchener’s oldest churches, St. Paul’s congregation is celebrating its 175th anniversary. The memorial stained-glass windows and the quatrefoil design on the altar, lectern and clergy chairs are noteworthy. Tours will include the bell tower, hourly concerts on the 1921 Casavant organ and historic quilt displays.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11951_432541_Historic-St-Pauls-Lutheran.jpg


Islamic Centre of Cambridge
1550 Dunbar Road, Cambridge
www.iccambridge.com
Architect: Guido E. Laikve; Year Built: 1992
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. only
The centre, a good example of Islamic architecture in a modern style, was built in 1992 and features a majestic dome and minaret and a beautiful prayer hall. Interactive guided tours will be offered throughout the day, along with family activities, gifts, tasty snacks and Islamic movies. Everyone is welcome.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11941_1055100_Islamic-Centre-of-Cambridge.jpg


Riverside Silk Mill/University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Cambridge
7 Melville Street South, Cambridge
www.architecture.uwaterloo.ca
Architect: Levitt Goodman Architects, Toronto (2004); Year Built: 1919-38; renovated, 2004
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The last industrial loft built on the Grand River in Galt, Riverside Silk Mill had large open spaces flooded with light. The openness and light, the industrial feeling and the spectacular town and river views were preserved and enhanced in the building’s renovation to house the School of Architecture.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11937_2450058_Riverside-Silk-Mill.jpg


St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
54 Queen Street North, Kitchener
www.standrewskw.com
Year Built: 1906; additions, 1954, 1967
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The sanctuary of this red-brick church was built in the round, with Canadian stained-glass windows, oak pews, a four-manual Casavant organ and two smaller sanctuaries – Covenant Chapel and St. Andrew’s Chapel (with a secret passage to the pipe chamber). Internationally acclaimed organist Douglas Haas will present mini-concerts on the hour, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11943_450058_St-Andrews-Presbyterian.jpg


The Tannery District
151 Charles Street, Kitchener
www.thetannery.ca
Architect: 2008-10 adaptation, RAW Design; Year Built: Original buildings, 1896, with later additions; adaptations, 2008-10
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Tannery District in downtown Kitchener was originally the Lang Tanning complex. Now being adapted for new commercial uses, the site will retain its heritage elements while adding contemporary design and modern conveniences. Another excellent example of Kitchener’s historic industrial architecture being reused for new purposes.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11947_2553757_Tannery-District.jpg


Waterloo Region Museum
10 Huron Road (at Homer Watson Blvd.), Kitchener
www.waterlooregionmuseum.com
Architect: Moriyama & Teshima Architects; Year Built: 2010
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This innovative new museum connects visitors to the region’s diverse people, ideas and stories. The state-of-the-art facility features significant community space, including a stunning grand foyer, a 115-seat theatre and three multi-purpose meeting rooms. A “green” building, it’s targeted for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design silver certification. Note: Doon Heritage Village closed.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11949_3998764_Waterloo-Region-Museum.jpg


Woodside National Historic Site of Canada
528 Wellington Street North, Kitchener
www.pc.gc.ca/woodside
Architect: 1952 restoration, Jenkins & Wright; Year Built: 1858; rebuilt, 1952
Dates/Hours Open: Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit Woodside National Historic Site, the boyhood home of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s 10th prime minister. A costumed interpreter will guide you through the furnished Victorian rooms. See artifacts that once belonged to the King family, and explore the beautiful gardens. Tours, special activities and a new audiovisual presentation.
http://www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/userfiles/page_attachments/1/11933_3379868_Woodside-NHS.jpg

[Spokes]

Some great sites for this year!

A couple thoughts:

Public Utilities Building - Are they taking suggestions for what to do with it, because it's current use is terrible

Tannery and Waterloo Region Museum - I can't imagine these two projects will be done so I wonder how much they can show off without it becoming an insurance issue

[panamaniac]

I think that by September, most of the construction and interior finishing of the Museum is supposed to be finished, no? Would be terrific to see the space before exhibits are mounted. Glad to see churches are including some organ concerts as part of the event - with all the big old churches downtown in Kitchener, I always thought some sort of organ music festival would be an interesting event for Kitchener. When played flat out, those pipe organs can really shake the rafters.

[UrbanWaterloo]

DOORS OPEN WATERLOO REGION SITES FEATURE FREE CONCERTS, CHILDRENS’ ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING

Waterloo Region – Forty-two sites, many of which are not regularly open to the public, will participate in the eighth annual Doors Open Waterloo Region (DOWR), Saturday, September 18, 2010. Doors Open, a free heritage and architecture open house event, began in 2003.

Thousands of people visit noteworthy buildings and heritage sites through DOWR every September. More than 8,000 individual site visits were tallied during the 2009 event.

Most sites are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but several have shortened hours, so visitors are encouraged to read the individual listings on the map/guide or on the website carefully.

ADMISSION IS FREE!

Many sites are planning a warm welcome for their visitors, and will feature free programming, including:


Childrens’ activities:

- climb the bell tower at Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Kitchener)
- go on a scavenger hunt in a heritage church (St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Kitchener)
- see a children’s science show (Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo; science show at 11 a.m.; kids’ science activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- do some fun activities at the Kitchener Masjid (mosque) and the Cambridge Islamic Centre
- play Victorian games and view Victorian toys, sample shortbread and lemonade, participate in a colouring contest, see the new 10-minute video about our 10th Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, and listen to Victorian music played on the Mackenzie King piano (Woodside National Historic Site, Kitchener)
- attend an Eid celebration (Islamic Centre of Cambridge: Eid is the celebration that concludes Ramadan. In 2010 the celebration is usually held on or around September 10, 2010; the Islamic Centre of Cambridge is postponing their Eid celebration until Doors - Open on Saturday, September 18, to celebrate Eid with their Doors Open visitors!)
- tour a Masonic Temple, and register for MasoniCh.I.P, a program that uses modern, police-approved techniques to create a child identification kit (K-W Masonic Temple, Waterloo)
- meet artists and musicians, and find out how you can develop your hidden, artistic talents through classes and programs (Button Factory/Waterloo Community Arts Centre, Waterloo)
- see how our food is grown! Guided farm tours at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. will describe what it’s like to grow food in Waterloo Region (Nauman’s Farm, Wellesley Township)
Music: Rockway Mennonite Collegiate students will perform vocal and instrumental music at Zion United Church/Rockway Mennonite Church between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m, and Zion’s church organist will be on hand to play the pipe organ; Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Kitchener) will feature hourly concerts on the 1921 Casavant organ; St. Andrew’ Presbyterian Church (Kitchener) will be offering mini-pipe organ concerts by Douglas Haas every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Grand River New Horizons Band will perform from 11-12 a.m. at the Button Factory in Waterloo
Heritage displays: view historic quilt displays at Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Kitchener), chat with Waterloo Historical Society volunteers (Kuntz-Labatt House/Erb & Good Funeral Home, Waterloo), learn about our local archives at the Doris Lewis Rare Book Room (Dana Porter Library, University of Waterloo), view a 100th anniversary display highlighting how public hydroelectric power in Ontario was born in Kitchener (Former Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Building; now home to Social Innovation Generation SiG, Kitchener)
Talks and lectures: Quantum Computing Labs will be open for tours 10 a.m. – 5 p.m; Science for adults: 2 p.m. Lecture by Dr. David Cory, IQC’s newest faculty member (Institute for Quantum Computing, University of Waterloo); Islamic documentaries (Kitchener Masjid and Islamic Centre of Cambridge)
Energy-efficient software test-drive: at the REEP House for Sustainable Living, use REEP’s software to model costs, paybacks and energy savings of green home renovation options, and find suppliers, contractors, grants and financing for energy-efficient retrofits to your home (Kitchener)
Get a sneak-peek of a new museum: the Waterloo Region Museum will be open to the public during Doors Open! (Kitchener)
Visit a museum: learn about firefighting, 1900-style! (Fire Hall Museum and Education Centre, Cambridge), see the Ontario Maple Syrup Museum, Home Hardware Retrospective, St. Jacobs Quilt Gallery, Model Train Museum and the Short Story of Electricity display (Snider Flour Mill, St. Jacobs)
Guided tours: many of our Doors Open sites feature guided tours – check the site listings at www.region.waterloo.on.ca/doorsopen.

MORE SPECIAL EVENTS TO BE ANNOUNCED! CHECK OUR WEBSITE!

Jane Snyder & Karl Kessler
Doors Open Waterloo Region

[Spokes]

Don't know how I missed this existing thread, thanks Urban

[Brenden]

Did anyone go today? I checked out five sights, St, Andrews, the Tannery District, Waterloo County Gaol and Governor House, Calvin Presbyterian, and the Kitchener Masjid

[UrbanWaterloo]

I went on the Uptown Waterloo Walking Tour, checked out the Institute for Quantum Computing (which gave away a free 4GB USB stick!), checked out The Tannery, and walked through the Waterloo County Gaol. I took some photos but they'll take a bit of time to sort, process & upload.

[Newgrad]

I went to the Tannery, Gaol and Governor's House, Sunlife, Hespeler Hotel and Riverbank Lofts.

Riverbank Lofts tour was led by the owner.A very eccentric man who was very interesting. Dropped some good historical references as well as a nod to Richard Florida. He led a group of us through a very large portion of the building. Even let us on the roof of one of the buildings! I'm very excited about this project. I like how he is using Universal Designs for the building. Said he even had a gerontologist working with the project team. By far my favorite.

Most of the other buildings don't need a comment but the Hespeler Hotel is in really bad shape. The stables were almost unrecognizable but you could still imagine what it once looked like.

I'll be uploading photos of the Riverbank later today. Can't wait to share them!

[smably]

We checked out Sun Life, the Tannery, the Public Utilities Building, the Hespeler Hotel, the American Standard factory (future Riverbank Lofts), the Hespeler Library, Cambridge's old and new city halls, and the Cambridge market building. We had a great time.

We just missed the proper tours of the American Standard factory, but we recognized Shawky Fahel (the developer leading the loft conversion) in the parking lot and he gave us a quick peek in some parts of the building. He said that he'd taken over 700 people through the factory already and was exhausted (hence the tours ending before 5:00). I look forward to seeing photos. Looks like a really promising project.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'm also looking forward to the Riverbank photos! I had a great time today, I just wish I had made it down to Hespeler to check out that development. I understand this is a two-day event in some communities. Perhaps we could do the same thing here in future years?

[Brenden]

I love how we all checked out the Tannery

[fin2limb]

I only had time to check out The Tannery. I must say it's looking pretty sweet. Although I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see the two floors that Google is moving into.

[Newgrad]

Here's some of the pics I took on my iPhone. I don't have one of those fancy 4g versions so the quality might not be there. The outdoor photos are taken from the roof of one of the buildings. This roof will feature terraces for the units.

My wife and I absolutely fell in love with the place. Very stunning.

If you have any questions about whats in my photos or what I saw, I'll try my best to answer. :RpS_biggrin:

38
51
This was where the tour began. there were 3 presses here.

50
The section you see in the middle will be demolished to make way for the two floor parking garage. On top of the parking garage will be a gardens.
49
These ruins will be demolished.
48
Looking at the connection between two of the major buildings
47

46
The tower will be a communal area that can be used by residents
45
This is a look inside the original building (1840s I believe?)
44
43
42
41
40
39
52

[Urbanomicon]

Nice pictures Newgrad. Maybe we can do some before/after shots when the development is finished. :)

[UrbanWaterloo]

Neat photos Newgrad, I love how you were able to get up onto the roof! Did the developer give any update on when a model suite would be ready?

[Newgrad]

Developer said that the model suite should be ready in two months. Expects occupancy by the end of 2012 for atleast building 'A', the one along the river. He said that they might open in stages.

The roof was amazing. I still can't believe we were brought out there. I certainly wasn't expecting that. My day started at that location. Nothing could compare with how much we saw.

[Shawn]

I'm also amazed you were permitted on the roof! That tour looks like it was the most complete access of all the tours!

I have to add one thing: I learned on the tour of the Kitchener Gaol that the correct pronunciation of the word "gaol" is 'jail'. It's the British spelling (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gaol) of "jail". I suppose you could liken it to 'Geoffrey' vs. 'Jeffrey' or in my case 'Sean' vs. 'Shawn'.

Here all this time I thought it was a word related to the term "gallows (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallows)" and therefore I've been mispronouncing it like "goal" this whole time. :dunce: