Taro Hall, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
This project consists of an addition and renovation to the existing Taro Hall at Brock University for the Goodman School of Business (GSB).
The project involves three-storey additions on the west and east ends of the existing building and a new major interior circulation route at the ground floor that connects the two additions.
The west side addition includes a two-storey atrium that provides Goodman School of Business with a new identity facing the Brook Mall, as well as, much needed space for day-to-day student study and special event receptions. The existing Taro Hall will be fully renovated as part of the project.
Renovations to the classroom areas of the existing facility include upgraded lighting and finishes, and sprinkler replacement. The project will be phased to accommodate occupation during construction. The new west and east additions were completed in the first phase of construction to create swing space for faculty offices and teaching space. Renovations and ‘refresh’ of existing spaces within Taro Hall were completed in stages while the new west wing served as ‘swing space’ during the renovations. Upgrades to the building included a new security system and devices to meet university standards including CCTV, Code Blue stations and proximity card readers.
LOCATION
St. Catharines, Ontario
COMPLETED
December 2018
SIZE
74,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
PRESS
+VG Architects Renovates Brock University’s Goodman School of Business
Canadian Architect
Goodman School of Business Expansion – Brock University
AWARD Magazine
New-look business schools designed for learning
Globe and Mail
Goodes Hall, Smith School of Business, Queen's University
+VG was retained to design a major renovation and significant addition to the historically significant Victoria School, a Richardsonian Romanesque schoolhouse constructed in the late 1800’s.
The program was for adaptive re-use and an extensive addition to house the Smith School of Business – an innovative education facility for the 21st Century. +VG was commissioned to undertake the work as Prime Consultant. Phase I of the project integrated the 4,000 m2 Victoria School and a 6,500 m2 addition as the new consolidated home for the School.
The project introduced a new skylit atrium along the east side of the heritage building allowing the building’s east façade to be exposed within the new public space of the facility. Completely new mechanical systems were introduced and included the use of spare heating/cooling capacity from an adjacent campus building to serve the building’s needs. The new facility included seven tiered lecture halls, and two classrooms, student break-out rooms, PhD and MSC program space, faculty offices, a computer lab, a video conference facility, and administrative space. The project was successfully completed on time and on budget, and won three awards of excellence.
Phase II was completed in September 2014, which includes a west addition that creates a large forecourt at the interface of the University and the school itself. A glazed interior gathering public space, “the Commons”, overlooks the forecourt. The intent is to engage the school with the larger university constituency. Phase II also included two tiered 80 seat lecture rooms, a flexible classroom for 80 that can open up to the Commons for special events, additional program spaces, faculty offices, and underground parking for 90 cars. Although Phase II was designed to achieve LEED Silver certification, the project was awarded LEED NC Gold certification.
LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014 (Phase II); 2002 (Phase I)
SIZE
100,000 ft² (PII); 110,000 ft² (PI)
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
AWARDS
2008 Liveable City Award
City of Kingston
2003 Architectural Excellence Award (Honourable Mention)
Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
2002 Award of Excellence
Frontenac County Heritage Foundation
Smith School of Business Executive Education Suite, Queen's University
This project is an interior conversion and fit-up of former office space on the 30th floor of a downtown high-rise, located on Front Street West in Toronto.
The design takes advantage of spectacular views over Lake Ontario. Finishes were consistent with a corporate feel appropriate for the Queen’s University Smith School of Business image. Work was completed to a high standard of quality on a very compressed schedule that utilized a Construction Manager and sequential tendering to allow work to begin prior to completion of all aspects of the design.
- The initial phase involved fit-up of approx. 7,000 ft² and included:
- An 80 seat tiered classroom, fully wired for “state of the art” audio/visual teaching technologies, which is convertible to a reception area and event space
- Three video conference rooms
- Five meeting rooms
- Administrative office space
- Reception area and refreshment/staging kitchen
The second phase included expansion of the suite to add:
- A 30 seat classroom
- Boardroom
- Three meeting rooms
- Student study space
- Event kitchen
The third and final phase entails fit-up of the balance of the 30th floor comprising of 25,000 ft². The phase three program includes:
- A second 80 seat tiered classroom
- An additional video conference room
- A relocated and expanded office area
- Various staff and student meeting rooms
- A large flexible ‘crush space’ for student study and receptions
- Supplementary washroom facilities
- A new ‘stand alone’ HVAC system serving the 30th floor
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
25,000 ft²
SERVICES
Tenant Fit-Up/Interior Renovation
Doherty-Fitzpatrick Heritage House
The Doherty-Fitzpatrick Heritage House was constructed between 1851 and 1861.
It is an excellent example of a Neo-Classical farmhouse, featuring detailing and craftsmanship of a high order with a symmetrical front façade and fenestration with distinctive “Flemish Bond” brick patterning, decorative frieze, eave returns, and gable trim, a central entrance featuring transom and sidelights with elegant tracery, and a centre hall plan.
+VG Architects was retained in 2019 by the City of Brampton to provide a feasibility study and cost estimate for the conversion of the heritage house to an Early-ON Child and Family Centre, and to provide architectural services through construction contract administration. The project includes a 500 ft2 addition at the rear that is designed to be distinct and subordinate to the original heritage building. Interior renovations include upgrading the structure, accessibility, mechanical, electrical fire and life safety systems to accommodate the change of use from Residential to Assembly occupancy. The project construction cost is below the budget. The Doherty-Fitzpatrick Heritage House was vacant for more than 10 years before this project.
LOCATION
Brampton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2021
SIZE
14,980 ft² (including 500 ft² new addition)
SERVICES
Feasibility Study
Adaptive Re-Use
Accessibility Improvements
St. Lawrence College Library
+VG was retained to complete a design and contract administration for design services for renovations and upgrades to the St. Lawrence College Brockville Campus Library.
Improvements included interior design, ceiling and lighting replacement and energy efficiency upgrades. The space was expanded and the layout reconfigured to a more efficient use of the library. The high ceiling space allowed for the creation of new clerestory windows which provide natural light.
The new design of the library divides spaces into quiet and collaborative group spaces, improves barrier free accessibility and front desk reception space. The modernized library creates an improved experience for the students of the college.
LOCATION
Brockville, Ontario
COMPLETED
2018
SIZE
4,426 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation
School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
The School of Graduate Studies Administrative Offices are located in two century houses: 63 St. George and 65 St. George Street, built in 1872 and 1891.
Both buildings are listed on the City of Toronto’s heritage registry and required a sensitive approach to renovation that would provide modern office amenity while maintaining the distinctive heritage character of the two buildings.
The School of Graduate Studies defines and administers University-wide regulations for graduate education and represents the cause of graduate education at the University of Toronto.
The primary project goal was to create better space for graduate students to interface with the administration, with student common space, counselling and consultation space, and oral defense rooms that provided a more welcoming and dignified atmosphere.
The project commenced with an evaluation of the School’s Functional Program and space planning template to test options for improved organization and workspace efficiency. The building had been extensively modified over time and many of the rooms were awkwardly planned with poor circulation and ad-hoc provisions that severely compromised the quality of space. In particular, the HVAC and lighting systems were in need of improvement to meet a modern day Administration Office standard. The renovation scope of work included:
- Rework of partitions and layout to support the program and respect original building layout
- Provided new centralized HVAC system through entire building
- New limited ceiling installations as required to support HVAC work while preserving plaster heritage cornices
- Revised Building Exiting to allow for the removal of one existing fire escape stair
- AODA compliant Accessibility measures throughout the first floor of the building.
- New Interior Finishes including preservation of significant historic finishes
- Heritage window replacement
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
DESIGNATED
City of Toronto Listed Heritage Site
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
10,000 ft² (63 St. George Street)
6,500 ft² (65 St. George Street)
SERVICES
Renovation & Restoration
University of Windsor Campus Master Plan
+VG Architects authored the University’s Campus Master Plan, which outlines a vision of the open space and landscape for the next 50 years.
The vision, objectives and key elements for the Master Plan were based on an extensive consultative process utilizing The World Café™ as a tool. +VG led strategic visioning sessions with many community stakeholders including the University’s Board of Governors; Senior Administration and
Directors; Students, Faculty and Staff; and City Planning Officials. An Open House information session was also held for the general campus and neighbouring community. Like Western, campus development at the University of Windsor is based on a vision defined through a collaborative process. At Western University, the campus consultations provided direction toward a campus that:
- Is an international place of welcome and events
- Emphasizes its role, identified a new entrance point and gateways to the campus, created new high-quality open space hubs – activity zones that connect to existing and new pathways
- Relocates parking lots to the perimeter of the campus allowing for more green space hubs
- Provides greater access and removes barriers
The Design Guidelines for future decision-making celebrate the historic landscape of the campus, enhance campus spaces and improve the University’s connection with the City and neighbouring community.
+VG Architects is Prime Consultant throughout the project, responsible for implementing the campus consultations, draft visioning documentation, developing Design Guidelines and Schematic Design. +VG has provided Community Consultations, Vision and Concept Plan, Campus Design Guidelines, Campus Open Space Design and Landscaping.
LOCATION
Windsor, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014 (Study & Concept Design)
SERVICES
Master Plan & Phased Implementation
Jean Royce Hall Servery, Queen's University
The project entails renovations to the existing student servery (585 m²) within the occupied Jean Royce Hall student residence at the west campus of Queen’s University.
The new servery provides students with a “market-style” food services environment that provides various self-serve and full-service stations. The new servery offers a contemporary dining experience and was “open for business” in September 2013.
The University’s hospitality staff needed to have input on the colours and finishes in the new servery space. While sample boards were assembled showing optional finishing schemes, it was difficult for staff to make decisions without 3D views of the space. +VG developed a variety of 3D computer model views showing the various finishing schemes to assist the hospitality group in making final decisions regarding flooring, millwork, and paint colours.
Due to the age of the existing underground services in the area of the renovations, it was understood that there was likely a need to replace portions of the existing sewer piping. In order to manage the additional costs involved in this work, +VG recommended that the University allow for monies in their budget for this work and unit prices be requested in the tender documents for pipe replacement. Upon award of the work to a general contractor, the slab was cut and the pipe could be fully assessed and the scope of replacement work was defined. The additional costs associated with pipe replacement were easily determined and work could progress quickly.
LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
6,300 ft²
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Bell
