A billowing cloud of aluminum and wood that turns a simple ice rink into a heavenly sculpture.
Art museum in Toronto, Canada.
Featured in Frank Gehry's definitive monograph, Building Art: Life and Work of Frank Gehry.
Visitor Guide
The second floor features a transparent viewing area with 20-foot long windows that can be opened to the rinks.
The front plaza, where the yellow and purple painted stripes lead directly to the gray, acid-washed aluminum entrance.
Open for public skating, figure skating, and youth hockey. Skate rentals are available; checking the schedule is recommended.
Gehry used custom glulam timber beams inside to achieve a 'warm' atmosphere that recalls traditional ship-building techniques.
1-2 hours
Design & Structure
Frank Gehry Associates modified the roof system from steel to wood to stay within budget while maintaining the sculptural form.
Acid-washed aluminum panels on the exterior, custom glulam timber beams and plywood on the interior.
The saddle-shaped roof uses southern yellow pine glulam girders that span 116 feet to create the rink's curvilinear shape.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Art Gallery of Ontario — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Frank Gehry
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Yale University
Princeton University
Hennessy

University of Cincinnati
The Guardian
Yale New Haven Hospital
Nearby in Toronto
Royal Ontario Museum
L Tower
Brookfield Place (Toronto)
Pantages Tower
Aga Khan Museum
One Bloor West
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Art Gallery of Ontario?+
Art Gallery of Ontario was designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 1900. It is located in Toronto, Canada.
Where is Art Gallery of Ontario located?+
Art Gallery of Ontario is located in Toronto, Canada. Its coordinates are 43.6536°, -79.3928°.
When was Art Gallery of Ontario built?+
Art Gallery of Ontario was completed in 1900. It was designed by Frank Gehry.
Can I visit Art Gallery of Ontario?+
Art Gallery of Ontario is a real building in Toronto that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.
