OUR HISTORY
Jack Diamond founded his own architectural firm in 1975 after an accomplished career as architect and director of the University of Toronto’s Master of Architecture program. Donald Schmitt joined Jack in 1978, and Diamond Schmitt Architects was created.
Since that time, Diamond Schmitt Architects has designed award-winning buildings across the world, consistently looking at sustainability in design and innovative new technologies so as to further user satisfaction and supply modern building operations.
At Diamond Schmitt Architects, we believe the client’s program should drive any design. This means taking into account the unique functional demands of each project, as well as the ultimate goals of the client – aims we have achieved since our first major project at Beverley Place. As many talented associates joined Diamond Schmitt Architects, the scope of projects grew to include schools, hospitals, theatres, and recreation centres. Our client base also grew, and in addition to projects in Toronto and Ottawa, we began designing buildings internationally, including Jerusalem, New York City, and St. Petersburg.
Over the last forty years, we have been recognized with dozens of awards for our innovative designs and commitment to sustainability. Above all, we are proud to have served our community and the world by creating functional, integrated buildings that are practical, beautiful, and mindful of the environment.
1975
Diamond Schmitt Architects is Founded
1978
Beverley Place, Toronto, Ontario
Beverley Place, also known as the Hydro Block, replaced plans by Ontario Hydro for a 12-storey transformer station in the midst of an established residential neighbourhood. Beverley Place received a City of Toronto Non-Profit Housing Corporation Neighbourhood Development Award and a Design Award from Urban Design Magazine in New York.
1980
Burns Building, Calgary, Alberta
The project included the renovation of an historic, six storey, terra cotta-faced office building built in 1913, and the addition of a new structure of equal size. The two components form the atrium space that penetrates the full height of the building, allowing daylight to filter down into the office floors and adding grandeur to the ground floor and mezzanine levels. with Gerald Forseth Architect
1982
Berkeley Castle, Toronto, Ontario
Located in Toronto's St. Lawrence neighbourhood, the rehabilitation of a group of condemned industrial buildings yielded a mixed-use retail and office complex. Diamond Schmitt Architects' offices were located in this complex for more than 20 years. This Project received a National Award of Honour from the Heritage Canada Foundation in 1984.
1984
Metro Toronto Central YMCA – Toronto, Ontario
The Metro Central Y, completed in 1984, is the flagship of the YMCA in Toronto, continuing the organization’s tradition of leadership and service to the inner city and responding to the changing lifestyle and cultural needs of the urban resident. This project received a Governor General’s Medal for Architecture in 1986.
1988
Betty Oliphant Theatre, National Ballet School, Toronto, Ontario
The Betty Oliphant Theatre provides a stage training facility for the National Ballet School in Toronto. The Centre sits on a compact site incorporating two renovated Victorian houses of historical and architectural importance. The theatre is a small and technically sophisticated with a stage comparable in size and equipment to major North American performance spaces.
1990
Earth Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario
The Earth Science Centre at the University of Toronto opened in July, 1990. The $55 million project broke new ground in the design of research and teaching facilities and received a Governor General's Medal for Architecture.
1991
York University Student Centre, Toronto, Ontario
The York University Student Centre, recipient of a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture, houses entertainment and food services as well as student offices and clubs. It was created as a key link in a colonnade system that forms a continuous perimeter around the campus green.
1993
Richmond Hill Central Library, Richmond Hill, Ontario
A hallmark of the design of the Richmond Hill Central Library is the high level of integration between structural, mechanical and electrical systems, and the manner in which the structure has been used as an element of the architecture. This project received a Governor General’s Medal for Architecture in 1994.
1994
Jerusalem City Hall, Jerusalem, Israel
A civic campus - rather than a city hall - more accurately describes the collection of ten existing and three new buildings, together with the main plaza, minor plaza, courts and gardens that comprise this municipal complex. The main plaza, new and renovated structures and gardens, serve as a focus for all citizens and is positioned to be equally accessible from both East and West Jerusalem.
1996
Capital Information Centre, Ottawa, Ontario
An existing Heritage Building was renovated to provide interpretation and orientation to Canada's national capital. This project was completed in 1996 and was the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects and an Award for Office Efficiency Through Renovation from the Building Owners & Managers Association.
1997
Memorial Pool, Toronto, Ontario
This 50,000 square foot community aquatics centre, completed in 1997, is part of a public facility which includes an arena, health club and an elementary school and allows joint use by students and the community. Memorial Pool received an Award of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Excellence.
1998
Gerstein Science Information Centre, University of Toronto, Ontario
The Gerstein Science Information Centre master plan was completed in 1998 resulting in three phases of renovations and additions implemented over the next 10 years. This project has received multiple awards from the Ontario Association of Architects and the Ontario Library Association.
1999
Two Awards from the Ontario Library Association
Diamond and Schmitt Architects receive two awards from the Ontario Library Association for the Cornwall Public Library and the Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre in Toronto.
2000
Three Awards from the Ontario Association of Architects
In 2000 Diamond and Schmitt Architects received three Awards of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects for the Ways Lane Residence, the Memorial Pool and Health Club and the Regent Park Community Health Centre.
2001
Marion McCain Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
This project was completed in 2001 and received a Medal of Excellence from the Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Architecture program later the same year.
2002
The JCC in New York City
The Jewish Community Centre in Manhattan opened in May 2002. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem and the Bahen Centre for Information Technology at the University of Toronto were also completed in 2002.
2003
Architectural Firm of the Year
We received the Architectural Firm of the Year Award from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. "The award recognizes the achievements of the firm for its quality of architecture, its service to its clients, its innovations in practice, contributions to architectural education and to professional institutions and associations and public recognition."
2004
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Jerusalem, Israel
In 2004 the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs was a recipient of a Good Design is Good Business Award from the BusinessWeek / Architectural Record Awards program. "Demanding security issues were integrated into the architecture so they became either environmental assets or invisible." —Moshe Safdie, FAIA
2005
Two Awards for Innovation from the RAIC
In 2005 Diamond Schmitt Architects received two innovation awards from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for the sustainable design strategies employed at the University of Guelph - Humber building in Toronto and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Campus in Oshawa. The Guelph-Humber Building incorporates the prototype bio-filter living wall.
2006
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts – Toronto, Ontario
Canada’s first purpose-built opera house, The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto, opened in June, 2006, and has received numerous awards and widespread acclaim. The 2000-seat theatre is home to the Canadian Opera Company and the National Ballet of Canada.
2007
Sidney Harman Hall, Harman Centre for the Arts, Washington, D.C.
Sidney Harman Hall, the home of the Shakespeare Theatre Company, was completed in 2007. This project received an Award of Excellence from the American Association of Architects, D.C. Chapter and a Good Design is Good Business Award from the BusinessWeek / Architectural Record Awards program.
2008
Southbrook Vineyards – Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Southbrook Vineyards received LEED Gold Certification shortly after opening - one of only three wineries in North America to receive this designation. Southbrook has won several awards including a BusinessWeek Architectural Record Award, an Award of Excellence fron the Ontario Association of Architects and a Green Building Award from SAB Magazine.
2009
Mariinsky Theatre – St. Petersburg, Russia
In 2009, Diamond Schmitt Architects won an international competition to design the new Mariinsky Theatre in Russia.
2010
Diamond Schmitt Architects Win Two OAA Awards of Excellence
Southbrook Vineyards in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Gerstein Library Reading Room at the University of Toronto both received Awards of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects in 2010.
2011
Twenty Completed Projects
In 2011, Diamond Schmitt Architects completed twenty projects including La Maison Symphonique de Montréal, the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence in Ottawa and the Papadakis Integrated Sciences Building at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
2013
Mariinsky II openes in St. Petersburg, Russia
Mariinsky II opened to the public with three celebratory days of musical and dance performances featuring excerpts and full productions of opera and ballet.
2014
Diamond Schmitt Architects Win Three OAA Awards of Excellence
Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, Bridgepoint Active Healthcare and the Library and Academic Facility at Centennial College all received Awards of Excellence from the Ontario Association of Architects in 2014.
2015
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York
Diamond Schmitt Architects and Heatherwick Studio selected as the architecture team that will lead the renovation and reimagination of David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center’s largest concert hall.
2016
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare Wins Three Prestigious Awards
Bridgepoint Active Healthcare received a Governor General’s Medal in Architecture, a Civic Trust Award and a Good Design is Good Business Award in 2016. These are 3 of more than 18 awards presented to Bridgepoint since the state-of-the art hospital opened in 2013.
2017
Diamond Schmitt Architects Opens in Vancouver
Diamond Schmitt Architects is pleased to announce the opening of our Vancouver practice.
