Marie's+Project

**The Don Valley BrickWorks**

The objective of this panorama is to illustrate the historical aspects of a brick work. It outlines the site's current affairs in modern society as an urban landscape. This is demonstrated by three measures that include initial establishment, closing down of the industrial site, and lastly, a new use for the featured site allowing for the landmark to reclaim its place in history through public use.
 * Research Statement**

The Don Valley BrickWorks site provided bricks for well-known structures in the city of Toronto. Although it has closed down, the used to be industrial site is now a city park where a farmer's market is held weekly. It has become a public region for people who want to explore the urban landscape and the series of ponds that it includes.
 * Background**

The Don Valley BrickWorks was established by Taylor Brothers in 1889 and remained in business for one hundred years. The brothers established a paper mill in the 1830's. While trying to build a fence, William Taylor discovered high quality clay that he brought to a local brick work where it was identified as material for high quality brick. A pit was created at the north side of the site and the brick making plant known as the Don Valley BrickWorks was established near the Don River.

The buildings are currently undergoing restoration, courtesy of Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments.

My main concern is the fact that the Don Valley BrickWorks is a historical building and I may not know exactly what Evergreen plans on doing in the end, since they're vague with the details, but I've been watching them tear it down everyday and it seems like nothing will remain. I would love old buildings to be restored and still have a lot remaining from its original structure.
 * Critical Position **

Evergreen is doing a great deal, hosting activities and food markets at the BrickWorks mostly on the weekends. Many people enjoy it very much. I just hope Evergreen really is restoring it the best way they can, because at the moment it just looks like its being teared down. But I guess we'll see in a years time.

In the end I am happy they are restoring this building for further use although I believe it is a historical building at which they have to severely take into account when restoring.

- Farmers' Market: Each Saturday Evergreen organizes fresh food from local farmers, producers and artisans, plus live music and eco-crafts. - Green City Workshops: Native plants, organic gardens, wildlife-friendly growing, protecting pollinators and kids’ classes too! - Explore: Exploring the grounds. - Picnic - The Chef's Market - Sustainability Fair and much more...
 * Activities**


 * Data Collection and Analysis**  media type="custom" key="4484180"

- Stripped down to the very framework since closing - Site being re-constructed to preserve urban landscape - Farmer's market held weekly - Few bricks still in tact - Mostly rubble within the vicinity - Area has been fenced off - Last of all equipment was bought by a brick work in Brampton - TTC buses circulated and stop at the site - Graffiti encloses the sites on walls and roof of building - Air quality is reduced indoors and dust circulates in closed off areas - Remaining structures are rusted and brittle - Asbestos
 * Observations**

The BrickWorks is being restored to preserve urban landscape. It is a public sector where people can explore this historical landmark. This without a doubt leaves little or no opportunity for industrial advancement since the goal is to preserve the landscape and have it open to the public as are the surrounding ponds and recreational parks. In addition, it would be fair to say that int he future, industrialists and/ or businesses may wish to buy out the area and pursue business at this industrial site. Although to some, this may be inevitable, it is my will that this landmark remain restored and used for the community. I cannot accept the destruction of this historical landmark.
 * Opportunities**

 - Evergreen BrickWorks - []
 * Resources **

- Here's a link to great pictures taken of the Don Valley BrickWorks years ago before they started tearing it down - []

- Brick Manufacture History with old photographs - [] "Over the century the Don Valley plant operated, from 1889 when it started as a soft-mud brick plant, until it ceased production in 1989, its management regularly improved processing methods. The Don Valley BrickWorks received international recognition for the quality of its products in the 1890s".

- Don Valley BrickWorks Park (Map) - [] - BrickWorks Quarry (North Wall) - []

Video of the interior: media type="youtube" key="6E-wkmPdtIs" height="340" width="560"

 This video is nicely edited: media type="youtube" key="3kbadZ6bOv4" height="340" width="560"