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
Milton Central Public Library
Part of the Milton Centre for the Arts, the main Library complements the vision of the Milton Public Library Board for their service delivery model.
The Library includes space for: Broad, in-depth collections; Resources and programs; Children’s program room; Computer training and study rooms; Seating (including silent study space); and Workstations.
The project has consolidated the program into a single destination on the second floor. There are two main studios, one for adults and one for children. Main programming features of the Library include: Administration area including offices and staff lounge; Check out, central lobby, and central concession areas; Program, silent study and group study rooms; Children’s collection and reading areas; Fiction and non-fiction collections areas; and Washroom facilities and ancillary service uses.
The Library is part of a larger renovation project for the Milton Centre for the Arts which includes two theatre spaces: the Mattamy Theatre, a 500 seat theatre (21,000 ft2); and the adjacent Minmaxx Hall, a 200 seat multi-use theatre space which can be used as a performance space, private event space, or rehearsal space for the main theatre.
LOCATION
Milton, Ontario
COMPLETED
2011
SIZE
27,240 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction (Design/Build)
AWARDS
2012 PRO Award of Excellence in Design
Parks & Recreation Ontario
Markham Museum Collections Building
The Markham Museum Collections building is an expansion on to the existing Visitor’s Centre and forms the “Gateway” to the Markham Museum Pioneer Village.
The architectural design is a modern interpretation of the industrial and agricultural heritage for the Town. The initial design stage was to create a Master Plan for the entire site and Facility Program (with EDA), including the long term development of the Pioneer Village which is programmed with a variety of community, family, and school programming year round.
The new building was built using prefabricated steel structures for maximum area with minimum cost. The final result is reminiscent of a 19th Century barn. The new Markham Museum houses a substantially enlarged collection, previously in storage, and forms the anchor for the surrounding municipal heritage park. Features of the Collections Building include permanent and rotating collection spaces, restoration studios, administrative spaces and food service amenities.
As part of the City’s overall Green Building Initiative, the Collections Building was to achieve a minimum level of LEED® Silver Certification. The project was awarded LEED® Gold in March 2014.
The Master Plan for the park was developed at the beginning of the project to enhance educational programming, determine the location for the Collections Building, and develop long-term goals for the site. The new building accommodates covered outdoor activity space for students and other visitors.
LOCATION
Markham, Ontario
COMPLETED
2010
SIZE
16,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
Milton Centre for the Arts
+VG Architects were selected as Project Architect by PCL Constructors Canada in January 2010 to deliver this Design/Build Project on a FastTrack schedule.
The $41 Million, 75,000 ft2, LEED® Silver Certified complex was planned, designed and delivered – on budget – in only 20 months. The project included:
Mattamy Theatre
Milton’s new 500 seat proscenium theatre showcases drama, music, orchestra, dance, as well as lectures, concerts, cinema and conferences. The main programming is supported by interstitial spaces providing the community with destinations and opportunities for interaction.
- 500 seat theatre
- Public areas including, reception, lobby, public washrooms, box office and bar/concession areas
- Auditorium, stage, orchestra pit, rehearsal hall, associated audio visual and technical support and dressing rooms
- Administration and support areas including offices, lounges, staff washrooms, storage, housekeeping and lockers
Minmaxx Theatre
This 200 seat “Black Box” multi-purpose theatre space features a sprung floor, retractable seating, lighting grid, and theatrical sound and lighting systems. As the stage sizing and specifications are identical to the adjacent 500-seat theatre, it can serve as a rehearsal space.
The room may be configured for performances, corporate functions, receptions, cabarets, etc. Backstage amenities such as dressing rooms are shared with the main theatre.
The community meeting room systems include video projection and audio reinforcement to support corporate events, meetings, workshops, seminars or smaller-scale receptions.
All of the systems in these spaces are integrated into the base building control for seamless operation. Video may be distributed from the theatres to any of the spaces.
Holcim Gallery
The Gallery is nestled in the Library. It accommodates both individual and group visual art exhibitions. Its large glass front wall allows for art displays to be seen even when the gallery is closed.
LOCATION
Milton, Ontario
CLIENT
Town of Milton
COMPLETED
January 2011
SIZE
87,300 ft²
AWARDS
2012 PRO Award of Excellence in Design, Parks & Recreation Ontario
SERVICES
New Construction (Design/Build)
Milton Town Hall
This unique design achieves an exciting and graceful balance of heritage and modern architecture.
The new two-storey addition is connected by a glass link to the existing historic Town Hall. Creating a visual separation between the link and the new addition is a stone wall that rises five feet higher than the rest of the building.
Central to this theme is the enhancement and formalization of the existing arrival to the building, through a transparent, transitional glass gateway. The structure of the Atrium is located in the current entrance to the historic building, as a significant expression of its activities and interests of its users. The gateway naturally flows out onto the public courtyard to form an invisible transition.
Throughout the planning, design, and construction process, +VG Architects worked closely with staff, stakeholders, and the community, by leading a process based upon meaningful consultation.
The interior allows for flexibility in planning and future change. The design incorporates a healthy workplace, through generous spaces, inviting materials, natural light, and natural ventilation brought together in an imaginative and creative manner.
Generous windows, skylights, atrium spaces, and stairs offer staff and visitors access to daylight and views, thus creating welcoming environments with a friendly, non-institutional feeling.
CLIENT
Town of Milton
COMPLETED
2009
SIZE
50,000 ft²
SERVICES
Expansion
AWARDS
2010 Public Works Project of the Year
Ontario Public Works Association
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Community Health Centre, Guelph Office
The design of this new Satellite was based on a previously commissioned Space Needs Assessment delivered by +VG Architects.
The facility provides clinical services (immunization, sexual health, dental, etc.) teaching services (prenatal, breastfeeding, food handler, etc.) as well as administrative services (communications, human resources, etc.). +VG worked with an internal WDGPH committee to review the site and design the building to meet WDGPH specifications.
WDGPH intends that Shelldale Centre convey the message that this facility offers more than traditional services. This concept originates with the strong and positive reputation that the client has established with the other community service and health care providers within the multi-use building that Shelldale Centre is part of. The new facility was designed to impart a positive image to the community as safe, welcoming and comfortable, while operating in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.
The accessibility needs of staff and clients were important components of the Owner’s criteria. The implementation of sustainable principles / practices was an important objective throughout the design and construction phases. The design met WDGPH’s requirements respecting the environmental, operational, life-cycle, quality and construction aspects of the project.
LOCATION
Guelph, Ontario
COMPLETED
2011
SIZE
5,000 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction
OPP Caldeon Detachment
Planned, designed and successfully completed by +VG Architects, the Caledon OPP Detachment is located on Innis Lake Road just south of Old Church Road in the community centre of Caledon East, local schools and the Caledon Town Hall.
As with most smaller municipalities, the Caledon OPP provide local community policing services and the facility houses five police units including Major Crime, Street Crimes, Community Response, School Resource Officers and Traffic.
The building was designed and located to be highly visible and accessible from Innis Lake Road. The building is clad in natural stone and ribbed steel siding offering a sense of permanence and stability. The building program includes a community meeting room adjacent to the main public entrance for various public outreach programs and information sessions for the public.
The lower level provides staff amenity space including a fitness room and locker areas, various secure storage areas as well as the cell block and secure sally port for transporting prisoners.
The building was designed to achieve LEED® Gold certification through a focus on its environment and reduced energy consumption, water usage reduction, storm water controls, local trades and a compact building footprint.
LOCATION
Caledon, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
24,000 ft²
SERVICES
New Construction
