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A Short History of Concrete in Toronto: The City that Works
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On-Demand
Access expires 30 days after start
Cost
$0.00
Credit Offered
0.1 CEU Credit
1 PDH Credit
This course explores the evolution of concrete in Canada from early 20th-century bridge engineering to its transformative role in modern architecture and urban development. Beginning with Frank Barber’s pioneering concrete arch bridges in Ontario, the course examines how structural innovation, durability, and aesthetics shaped early infrastructure. It then expands to the broader architectural history of concrete in Canada, tracing its journey from utilitarian industrial material to a symbol of national modernism—before confronting public backlash and contemporary efforts toward conservation and sustainable renewal.
  1. Explain Frank Barber’s contributions to reinforced concrete bridge design and early arch theory in Canada.
  2. Describe how concrete evolved from a utilitarian industrial material to a defining element of Canadian modernist architecture.
  3. Evaluate the aesthetic debates surrounding concrete, including the rise and criticism of Brutalist architecture.
  4. Discuss contemporary strategies for conserving and sustainably rehabilitating mid-20th-century concrete structures.

Study the materials included in this module. Then, complete and pass the corresponding 10-question quiz with a score of 80% or higher to receive a certificate for 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH).
Continuing Education Credit: 0.1 CEU (1.0 PDH)
Approved by AIA and ICC
Access Period: 30 days