The use of rich materials, like marble and bronze, accentuates the interior. Also featured are several advances in engineering and construction. But beyond providing a source of aesthetic appreciation, the attributes of public buildings like the R.C. Harris have great educational value and can illustrate several types of history. Public history considers how decision-making occurred with respect to providing basic services to protect public health, safety and the environment. The history of technology examines how engineering know-how was applied to machinery and processes, and how individual facilities were related to larger functional systems.
Architectural history explores how designers meshed style with utility.
The history of civil engineering addresses how public works enabled urban growth to occur, as a response to demographic pressures and as a tool to promote development. With little doubt, the R.C. Harris possesses beauty, strength and quality. Yet it remains a finely tuned organ of the city's water works - the largest facility in an integrated system that supplies 45 per cent of the water to 2.27 million residents in metro and York Region. It displays a rare balance of form and function worth preserving and promoting. Donning one of many hats, Ron Brilliant guides visitors at the May 4th open house on a tour of the plant.