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SHELTER The form and detailing were influenced by traditional Japanese architecture -
SHELTER It is integrated within several terraces associated with the former estate -
SHELTER The rusticity of the stone piers contrasts with the fine wooden joinery of the screens -
GARDEN CENTRE Known today as the Moriyama Building, the former garden centre is part of a much expanded building for the Toronto Botanical Garden -
GARDEN CENTRE The east entrance with views of the addition by Montgomery Sisam to the right -
SHELTER The wooden trusses are illuminated by translucent panels in the roof above -
GARDEN CENTRE Like the shelter, this building is toplit and is influenced by traditional Japanese architecture and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright
Edwards Gardens’ Buildings
The former estate of Rupert E. Edwards became a public park in 1956, and Raymond Moriyama was later commissioned to design a shelter and a civic garden centre. As elements of a cultural landscape along the ravine of Wilket Creek, the buildings were integrated within the landscape, which included vestiges of the former estate and extensive gardens.
The two buildings within Edwards Gardens exhibit influences of both traditional Japanese architecture and the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, while achieving integrity in their own right. The Civic Garden Centre was expanded in 1976 (Jerome Markson).
The Ontario Association of Architects recognized the Edwards Gardens Shelter with its 25-Year Award in 1991.
In 2005, Montgomery Sisam was responsible for a further expansion to create a gardening education and information centre for the Toronto Botanical Gardens: The George and Kathy Dembroski Centre for Horticulture.