Check it out: Diamond Schmitt Architects

Hello Everyone! Today our check it out feature is on one of the leading architecture firms in Canada, Diamond Schmitt Architects. 

Diamond Schmitt Architects was founded in 1975 by University of Toronto Architecture graduates Jack Diamond and Donald Schmitt. It is a full service architectural practice that employs over 130 people and has worked on projects globally from North America, to Europe to the Middle East  and the Caribbean. The firm has designed a range of building types including cultural, civic, academic, healthcare, residential and commercial properties. Our last check it out feature of Bridgepoint Active Healthcare was one of the buildings that they had a hand in designing

Click HERE to visit the firm's website and Check it Out!

Sources and Images:

www.dsai.ca

Check it Out: Bridgepoint Active Healthcare

The award winning Bridgepoint Active Healthcare Centre is a state of the art 680,000 sq. ft. facility that replaced an existing adjacent hospital. It was designed by a team of architects from KPMB, Stantec, HDR and Diamond Schmitt Architects. The 464 bed facility was completed in June of 2013 and has a LEED silver rating. 

The hospital is located next to the Don River in the Riverdale neighbourhood of the city and includes the historic Don Jail which is now the administration building for the new hospital.  The bridgepoint building is located adjacent the Don Valley Parkway.

Upon visiting the site one can see that the design of the building was one created with public access in mind. The adjacent Riverdale Park has been made to feel like an extension of the building.

Inside the hospital, the attention to the smallest details has not been lost, materials such as Algonquin limestone, ultra-transparent low-iron glass and Zinc Panelling have been used adding to the buildings carefully crafted spaces.

When one wanders through the building they will notice number of striking spaces including a roof-top terrace with a garden of sedum, steel pergola and large tree-filled planters that are most exquisite. It has been said by the Toronto Star's Architectural critic Chris Hume that "It would enhance a fanciest of fancy boutique hotels, let alone a hospital"

Sources and Images:

http://dsai.ca/projects/bridgepoint-health-toronto/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgepoint_Health

http://www.bridgepointhealth.ca/en/who-we-are/about-us.asp

https://www.thestar.com/life/2013/04/11/torontos_new_bridgepoint_centre_raises_the_bar_for_health_care_facilities.html

 

Check it Out: Aga Khan Museum

This week's Check it Out feature is on the Aga Khan Museum! 

If you have not visited this magnificent building I highly encourage you to do so. Not only is the building amazing but so too is the surrounding landscape. Designed by Architect Fumihiko Maki in conjunction with the firm Moriyama and Teshima, and landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. The museum features impressive collections of islamic art and heritage  (some from exclusive private collections). One of my favourite features of the site is the expansive black granite reflective pool in front of the building. It really gives one that Zen feeling while walking through the grounds.

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To find out more about the Aga Khan Museum and Check it Out!  visit the page: www.agakhanmuseum.org

Images by: Karimah Gheddai

Check it Out: Snohetta (Architecture Firm Profile)

Snohetta is a Norweigian design firm that specializes in architecture and landscape architecture. They have offices in Oslo, New York and San Francisco. Some of their famous works include the Bibliothetica Alexandrina in Egypt (this was their marquee project that made them famous) and the Norwegian National Opera. In 2004 they were commissioned to build a cultural building on the memorial site of the World trade Centre.

 In Canada they designed the Ryerson Student Union Centre (see my blog post here). Snohetta's style is one that is modern and bold though they certainly cannot be typecast as they are constantly evolving. The firm which was created in 1989 takes it's name from one of Norway's highest mountain peaks as opposed to the name of the founders. Snohetta is committed to maintaining connections between landscape architecture and architecture, and one can see these connections in their work.

Click HERE to visit the website of Snohetta and Check it Out!

Sources and Images:

www.snohetta.com

 www.designboom.com

http://aasarchitecture.com/2012/08/national-opera-and-ballet-by-snohetta.html