Michael Lee-Chin Crystal

As one of the most important architectural projects and a distinctive new symbol of Toronto for the 21st century, the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal marks the beginning of a new age for the Royal Ontario Museum. The Crystal Age announces the Museum as the country’s premier cultural and social destination. Inspired by the ROM’s gem and mineral collection, Libeskind sketched the initial expansion on paper napkins while attending a family wedding at the ROM. The design was quickly dubbed the 'crystal' because of its crystalline shape. The Lee-Chin Crystal is composed of five interlocking, self-supporting prismatic structures that co-exist but are not attached to the original ROM building, except for the bridges that link them.