Taro Hall, Goodman School of Business, Brock University
This project involves the renovation and expansion of Taro Hall at Brock University, enhancing the facilities for the Goodman School of Business.
The design introduces new three-storey additions at both the east and west ends of the existing building, linked by a reconfigured ground-floor circulation spine that improves connectivity and wayfinding throughout the complex.
The west addition is defined by a two-storey atrium that establishes a strong presence along the Brock Mall while creating a welcoming front door for the School of Business. This space supports both informal student use and larger events, addressing the need for flexible gathering and study areas. The existing Taro Hall is fully renovated as part of the project, with upgrades to classrooms including new lighting, finishes, and sprinkler systems.
The work was carefully phased to maintain building operations during construction. Early completion of the new additions provided swing space for faculty offices and teaching functions, enabling staged renovation of the existing facilities. Additional upgrades include new security infrastructure aligned with university standards, incorporating CCTV, Code Blue stations, and controlled access systems.
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 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.
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
PRESS
Changing campus: Goodes Hall expansion news
Queen’s Alumni Review
School of Business renamed following $50 million donation
Queen’s Journal
Conestoga College Milton Campus Renovation
+VG Architects served as Prime Consultant for the transformation of a two-storey commercial office building into Conestoga College’s Milton Campus.
The project revitalized a 21,642 ft² facility on a 4.02-acre site, incorporating site improvements such as expanded parking, upgraded lighting, and the addition of a temporary Portapak classroom building to support immediate program needs.
The design was shaped through stakeholder engagement, with a focus on creating a balanced and adaptable post-secondary environment. Interior spaces were reconfigured to support a range of learning styles, including technologically enhanced classrooms, quiet study areas, and flexible collaborative zones.
At the centre of the main floor is a bright, multi-purpose student lounge that serves as a hub for study, social interaction, and campus events. Supporting amenities include food service kiosks, retail space, student association offices, IT support areas, and fully accessible washroom facilities.
The second floor expands academic and student-focused programming with additional classrooms, a library resource area, wellness and prayer rooms, and dedicated staff spaces. Together, these interventions establish a modern, inclusive campus environment that strengthens both academic experience and student life.
LOCATION
Milton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2024
SIZE
22,841 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation
Smith School of Business Executive Education Suite, Queen's University
This project involves the interior conversion of former office space on the 30th floor of a downtown Toronto high-rise into a satellite campus for the Queen’s University Smith School of Business.
Overlooking Lake Ontario, the design leverages expansive views while establishing a refined, corporate environment aligned with the School’s brand.
Delivered on a highly compressed schedule, the project utilized a Construction Manager and sequential tendering to enable early construction start prior to full design completion. The fit-out was executed in three phases, allowing for incremental expansion while maintaining operational flexibility.
Phase I introduced approximately 7,000 ft² of program space, including an 80-seat tiered classroom equipped with advanced audio-visual systems and designed to convert into an event venue. Supporting spaces included video conferencing suites, meeting rooms, administrative offices, and reception areas.
Phase II expanded the facility with additional teaching, meeting, and student study spaces, along with enhanced event support. The final phase completed the full 25,000 ft² floor plate, adding a second tiered lecture hall, expanded office areas, collaborative spaces, and a dedicated HVAC system. The result is a flexible, high-performance academic environment tailored to executive education and urban engagement.
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
25,000 ft²
SERVICES
Tenant Fit-Up/Interior Renovation
Doherty-Fitzpatrick Early-ON Child & Family Centre Adaptive Re-Use
The Doherty–Fitzpatrick Heritage House, constructed between 1851 and 1861, is a refined example of a Neo-Classical farmhouse distinguished by its symmetrical façade, Flemish bond brickwork, and finely crafted decorative elements.
Character-defining features include a central entrance with transom and sidelights, a formal centre hall plan, and detailed frieze and gable trim.
+VG Architects was retained by the City of Brampton to assess the property’s potential for adaptive reuse and to deliver a feasibility study, cost estimate, and full architectural services through construction. The project transforms the long-vacant building—unused for over a decade—into an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, introducing a new community-focused use while preserving its heritage character.
A modest 500 ft² rear addition is designed to remain visually distinct and subordinate to the original structure. Interior interventions include structural upgrades and comprehensive improvements to accessibility, as well as new mechanical, electrical, and fire protection systems to support the change in occupancy from residential to assembly use.
The project demonstrates a careful balance between conservation and renewal, reactivating a historic asset while meeting contemporary program and safety requirements—all achieved within the established project budget.
LOCATION
Brampton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2021
SIZE
14,980 ft² (including 500 ft² new addition)
SERVICES
Feasibility Study
Adaptive Re-Use
Accessibility Improvements
Oakville Museum Coach House
The adaptive reuse of the Oakville Coach House completes +VG Architects’ long-standing work at the Erchless Estate, a designated cultural heritage property overlooking Lake Ontario, Sixteen Mile Creek, and Oakville Harbour.
Reopened in 2022, the project transforms the 1901 Shingle Style building into a vibrant public venue while preserving its architectural character and historic setting.
Designed by Dick and Wickson, the 5,150 ft² Coach House is composed of three linked volumes: former stables and carriage storage, a hayloft, and a two-storey gardener’s cottage. Its distinctive form—defined by steep cross-gables, eyebrow dormers, and a shingled cupola—has been carefully conserved and restored.
The project repositions the building as a multi-purpose assembly space within the Oakville Museum campus. Interventions strengthen physical and visual connections to the surrounding landscape, improve wayfinding, and integrate the Coach House into the broader park setting. The restored gardener’s cottage complements the main facility, supporting expanded programming and public use.
Sensitive interior upgrades accommodate accessibility and life safety requirements while maintaining heritage integrity. The result is a renewed cultural destination that enhances the Erchless Estate and supports community engagement within a significant historic environment.
LOCATION
Oakville, Ontario
COMPLETED
2022
SIZE
5,100 ft²
SERVICES
Adaptive Re-Use
David Dunlap Observatory & Administration Building
The David Dunlap Observatory (DDO), a landmark in Richmond Hill and home to Canada’s largest telescope, has been carefully restored by +VG Architects to support its continued role as a centre for public education and cultural engagement.
Originally constructed in the mid-1930s and operated by the University of Toronto until 2008, the Observatory and its Administration Building are significant components of Canada’s scientific heritage.
+VG’s work began with a comprehensive building condition assessment, followed by the restoration of the exterior fabric of both structures. The project focused on conserving key heritage elements while stabilizing and renewing the buildings for long-term use.
The revitalization enhances the Observatory’s presence within the broader park, supporting its evolution into a major public destination for Richmond Hill and the surrounding region. By preserving its architectural character and scientific legacy, the project reinforces the site’s role in interpreting Canada’s contributions to astronomy.
The renewed complex now offers an improved experience for visitors while ensuring the protection of its heritage value for future generations. The project received a 2022 Award of Excellence from the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals, recognizing its achievement in conservation craftsmanship and construction.
LOCATION
Richmond Hill, Ontario
COMPLETED
2021
SIZE
21,000 ft²
SERVICES
Building Condition Assessment & Renovation
AWARDS
2022 Award of Excellence, Conservation – Materials, Craftsmanship & Construction
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP)
Ontario Court of Justice Toronto
The New Toronto Courthouse is a 17-storey facility that will become the largest courthouse in Ontario, occupying a site with a layered history dating back to the 1840s.
Following the demolition of earlier structures in the 1980s, significant archaeological remains were preserved beneath the site until extensive excavations began in 2016. Led by Infrastructure Ontario, this work uncovered thousands of artifacts and documented the footprints of former buildings, forming the basis for a comprehensive interpretation program.
+VG Architects was retained by EllisDon to lead the heritage approvals process and develop a site-wide interpretation strategy in coordination with Infrastructure Ontario, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and the City of Toronto. The work involved extensive consultation, including engagement with the City’s Heritage Interpretation Working Group, the Ministry’s Indigenous Elders’ Council, and representatives from Six Nations, Huron-Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.
With no physical heritage fabric remaining on site, the design approach focused on layered interpretation integrated throughout the public realm. Elements include inlaid bronze markers, exterior interpretive panels, digital installations, artifact displays, and a large-scale commemoration of the former British Methodist Episcopal Church.
The result is a coordinated and immersive strategy that reconnects the site to its history while supporting the civic presence of the new courthouse. The project received a 2024 OAA Design Excellence Award.
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
COMPLETED
2022
SIZE
775,000 ft²
SERVICES
Heritage Consulting Services
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Ecclestone (+VG Architects)
PRESS
Ontario Court of Justice Toronto
Bloaag (OAA)
Renzo Piano stacks Toronto courthouse on top of massive atrium
Dezeen
T.O. courthouse integrates several facilities into one sustainable building
Construction Canada
New Courthouse in Toronto brings six courts under one roof
Canadian Architect
Excavation in Full Swing for Ontario Court of Justice
Urban Toronto
New Toronto courthouse will likely look different from others
Toronto Star
