Rotman is not U of T’s only professional school with plans for a new building. The Law faculty is planning to build a major structure on its current site facing Queen’s Park to create more space to house faculty and accommodate students. The faculty has no plans to expand its enrolment.

The new structure will add 100,000 square feet of classrooms, lecture halls, and faculty offices at an estimated cost of $60 million. Plans also call for the building to be more accessible for students with disabilities. The law school had shortlisted six designs was and now has narrowed the field to three Canadabased firms.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, the finalists presented detailed models of their designs at Flavelle House, one of the law school’s two current locations. About 70 people attended the event, including prominent faculty members of the law school, the Dean of music, students, alumni, and representatives of the city of Toronto and the ROM.

“One of the things I wanted to do was to invite an educated conversation with our students who are very much a part of this,” said Mayo Moran, dean of Law. All three proposals are designed to enhance the beauty of Philosopher’s Walk, a scenic footpath that runs through the downtown campus.

“Space can make your spirit soar or your spirit suffer,” said Moran at the presentation, adding that students at the law school today are often taught in classrooms that are underground and uninspiring. “We have amazing students and it makes a difference to study and inhabit spaces that are beautiful and inspiring and for my faculty and my students I want them to be in spaces that inspire them to do their best.”

The three project designs can be viewed at Flavelle House on 78 Queen’s Park Crescent West. The final design will be selected in the spring