Goodes Hall, Smith School of Business, Queen's University

+VG Architects was retained as Prime Consultant to lead the adaptive reuse and expansion of Victoria School, a historically significant Richardsonian Romanesque building dating to the late 19th century.

The project established a new home for the Smith School of Business, combining a 4,000 m² heritage structure with a 6,500 m² contemporary addition.

A defining feature of Phase I is a skylit atrium along the east façade, which preserves and reveals the historic exterior wall within a new interior public space. The project introduced entirely new mechanical systems, including integration with campus infrastructure to improve efficiency. The renewed facility accommodates a range of academic and administrative functions, including tiered lecture halls, classrooms, breakout spaces, faculty offices, and specialized teaching environments.

Phase II completes the vision with a west addition that forms a new forecourt, strengthening the School’s connection to the broader university campus. A glazed gathering space, known as the Commons, overlooks this public realm and supports both daily use and special events. Additional teaching spaces, offices, and underground parking are integrated into this phase.

The project was delivered on time and on budget, achieving LEED Gold certification and receiving multiple awards for design and heritage conservation excellence.