Corus Quay, Toronto - 2010. Photo by Richard Johnson

Diamond Schmitt Architects reports: the living wall biofilter – an installation of tropical plants adorning buildings – turns 10

A Canadian invention that improves indoor-air quality and reduces a building’s energy costs turns 10 years old this spring. The living wall biofilter – an installation of tropical plants adorning office, academic, commercial and civic buildings – is a sustainable design response to create a healthy indoor environment and lower the carbon footprint. Developed by…

April 22, 2014

Westminster Pier Park (Westminster BC); PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc. The park is the first phase in the city's long-term vision to integrate the waterfront with the historic downtown core, and to reconnect people to the previously industrialized Fraser River

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Projects in 12 Canadian cities receive 2014 National Urban Design Awards

Cities across Canada are seeing “renewed creativity and sensitive attention being paid to the public realm,” says the jury of the 2014 National Urban Design Awards. A dozen cities received awards: Calgary, Edmonton, Guelph, Montreal, Nanaimo, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Trois Rivières, Waterloo, Westminster and Winnipeg. The winning projects, which range from renewed brownfield sites to improved…

April 16, 2014

The SJU Campus Renewal will add a two-storey academic building (shown) and seven-storey student residence. Reconfigured roads, landscaping and new parking will transform the existing campus and create a new gateway to the university. Rendering courtesy Diamond Schmitt Architects

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St. Jerome’s University renewal by Diamond Schmitt Architects will enhance the Waterloo, Ontario, campus

A ground-breaking ceremony today marks a new chapter in the 150-year life of St. Jerome’s University at University of Waterloo. It also marks a new collaborative design process to realize a campus-expansion project. The SJU Campus Renewal will add a seven-storey student residence and two-storey academic building. Reconfigured roads, landscaping and new parking will transform…

April 11, 2014

JOLLY JELLIES A view of Planet Jellies, the world's largest kreisel tank (a special circular tank for jellies). It is backlit with a custom rack of fluorescent fixtures extending above the ceiling and below the floor of the gallery. The side and top-lit are lit with RGB fixtures: the linear, narrow beams shoot the light down the centre of the tank, creating the effect of the jellies changing colour. Photo by Harold Clark Photography

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The art of lighting Ripley’s Aquarium Canada, Toronto’s newest big attraction

Toronto’s newest big attraction – Ripley’s Aquarium Canada – is not only the largest indoor aquarium in the country but also a first-of-its-kind in lighting design, as it is the only aquarium of its size in the world featuring tanks lit entirely with LED technology. When Toronto-based lighting designers and engineers Mulvey & Banani first…

April 11, 2014

Three-part harmony (from left): Donald Chong, Betsy Williamson and Shane Williamson, principals of Williamson Chong

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Toronto-based Williamson Chong wins RAIC’s Emerging Architectural Practice Award

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) has named the Toronto firm of Williamson Chong as recipient of its 2014 Emerging Architectural Practice Award. In the words of the jury, “The firm is consistently producing innovative projects that contain quality detailing and craftsmanship including a focus on the use of wood." Established in 2011, the seven-person…

April 10, 2014

Historic elements and contemporary design blend to create a facade with a unique curvilinear form that rounds the intersection of Delaware and Chippewa streets. The main entrance is located at the centre of the curved facade, a feature given emphasis and visual importance by recessing levels two through five. Rendering courtesy DSAI

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Buffalo, New York, will get a mixed-use building – office, hotel and retail complex – designed by Diamond Schmitt

Diamond Schmitt Architects is designing a 12-storey, mixed-use building to rise in downtown Buffalo, New York. The $80-million complex for Uniland Development Company will feature more than 200,000-square-feet of Class-A office space, a 120-room hotel, hospitality and retail services. This innovative building will anchor a prime intersection bordering the Historic West Village District and serve…

March 26, 2014

The LEED Platinum-certified Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE) in Ottawa is a highly efficient combination of rigorous structure and flexible space where students, faculty and the public come together

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Diamond Schmitt Architects wins three 2014 Design Excellence Awards from the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)

Diamond Schmitt Architects is the recipient of three awards for 2014 Design Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects. The winning projects are the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, Centennial College Library and Bridgepoint Active Healthcare. The annual awards program recognizes the best in architectural design by Ontario-based firms. Diamond Schmitt has won numerous OAA Design Excellence…

March 25, 2014

Artopex is a leading manufacturer of office furniture, offering everything under one roof including wood and laminate casegoods, systems furniture, seating and storage

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Congratulations to Artopex – the first office-furniture manufacturer to become a member of the Platinum Club of the Best Managed Companies in Canada

Artopex has achieved Platinum Club member status with Canada's Best Managed Companies program. By retaining its Best Managed designation for six consecutive years, Artopex is the first office furniture manufacturer to be awarded the title. “Being named a member of the Platinum Club of the Best Managed Companies in Canada is an honour that demonstrates…

March 25, 2014

Tyler Sharp is now a design partner at RDH. His leadership shows "an individual architect can be an important component to the growth and re-invention of a traditional existing practice," the jury noted

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Tyler Sharp of Toronto wins RAIC’s 2014 Young Architect Award

The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) announces Tyler Sharp, of Toronto, as the recipient of its 2014 Young Architect Award. Sharp, 40, graduated from the Dalhousie School of Architecture in Halifax, N.S. in 2002. While at Dalhousie, he completed a work-term with Vancouver-based Battersby Howat where he contributed to series of custom houses, including…

March 24, 2014

Axor Starck Organic. The bathroom collection from renowned designer Philippe Starck combines unique design with a highly sensual water experience, with low consumption. Axor Starck Organic also guarantees responsible use of the vital element of water. This is borne out by a revolutionary control concept and numerous functional and ecological qualities. The collection therefore appeals to both heart and intellect in equal measure and also blends in with a variety of style worlds

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Hansgrohe/Axor recognized for excellence, winning a plethora of awards

Hansgrohe/Axor is starting 2014 with a number of prestigious honours under its belt. Organizations in the U.S. and abroad have lauded the company for its innovation and ingenuity in design in the kitchen and bath industry. Says Sibylle Mair, interim president of Hansgrohe N.A., “Whether it is here at Hansgrohe North America, or at our…

March 24, 2014