Ross Building

Beneath the imposing concrete facade of the Ross Building, a story unfolds. The Ross Building stands as a testament to a bold vision, a concrete acropolis at the heart of York University’s Keele Campus in Toronto. The Ross Building, originally the Ross Social Sciences and Humanities Building, opened in 1968. It was designed by the University Planners, Architects and Consulting Engineers (UPACE). This group was a joint venture between prominent firms: Gordon S. Adamson and Associates, John B. Parkin Associates, and Shore and Moffat and Partners. The building aimed to embody the spirit of a “free new society.” A grand concrete ramp, a “great open stoa,” once led up to the building’s eastern entrance. Imagine ascending this ramp, a processional path leading to the heart of the university. Inscribed on the building’s facade are the words of Murray Ross, York University’s first president: “We at York must give special emphasis to the humanizing of man…” This inscription speaks to the university’s original vision of a liberal arts education. The Ross Building’s design, with its monumental scale and raw concrete aesthetic, reflects the Brutalist architectural style popular in the 1960s. It was meant to be both a functional space and a symbolic statement. The top floor was intentionally left open-plan, a testament to the architects’ belief in flexibility and the evolving nature of the university. However, the building’s design wasn’t universally loved. In 1988, the grand ramp was removed and replaced by Vari Hall, a structure in a contrasting postmodernist style. This alteration dramatically changed the approach to the Ross Building and marked a shift in the university’s architectural identity. The Ross Building now stands as a complex and intriguing landmark. It represents both the grand visions of the past and the evolving nature of the university. The terrace, once connected by the ramp, still offers glimpses of its original purpose. Concrete planters and the “Four Squares in a Square” sculpture by George Rickey create a unique atmosphere. The building’s stark exterior, its imposing size, and the echoes of its original design, offer a unique perspective on the history of York University. The Ross Building remains a significant landmark on the campus, its concrete form a reminder of a bold era in architectural history.