Partners Roger du Toit, Robert Allsopp, and John Hillier with a model of Toronto?s Distillery District. Photo: DTAH
Roger du Toit
Roger Terence du Toit (1939-2015) was a decorated architect, landscape architect and planner with extensive project experience across Canada and other parts of the world. In a career spanning more than 45 years, he has left an indelible mark on Canadian urbanism, and has encouraged and inspired generations of fellow city builders.
A fundamental and consistent principle in all of his work was the integration of the major design disciplines to create environments that meet the need for economy and utility, and provide places that are socially responsive and a joy to inhabit. Du Toit?s primary concerns were the collective and public dimensions of the built environment. Du Toit cared passionately about great architecture. However, his principal and most influential contribution to Canada?s urban environment is to be seen through the lens of urban design. To du Toit, urban design brings a comprehensive approach to orchestrating the many factors that when combined can create great buildings in a great public realm. He believed strongly that this process could only be successful through the close collaboration of all design disciplines, and the combined efforts of consultants, owners, managers and end-users.
While working with John Andrews, du Toit led the Metro Centre plan for Toronto?s downtown railway lands and played a key role in completing the CN ...