Ontario – Toronto GTA – Downtown Toronto
Corporation
www.dsai.ca
Ontario
Toronto GTA
Downtown Toronto
Corporation
active
Who We Are: Established in 1975, Diamond and Schmitt Architects has grown steadily with a focus on buildings for cultural, civic, health care and academic institutions. The firm comprises 120 architectural staff and 19 support staff, including 15 principals and 13 senior associates. The firm has received national and international recognition for the planning and design of buildings that achieve design excellence, display a deep understanding of the context in which they are located and are innovative in the way in which user satisfaction is provided.
Mission: The firm seeks to achieve a high standard of excellence. We take pride in designing buildings which support both the ideals and the functional requirements of its users. Popular success has been achieved by unremitting attention to user needs and aspirations. Critical recognition has been achieved through commitment to design from first principles.
Design Excellence: Diamond and Schmitt have received over 150 regional, national and international awards for design, including six Governor General€™s Awards for architecture. Working with colleges and universities, academic institutions, government and private clients, the firm has designed public places and master plans, spaces for exhibition, medical and research facilities, performing arts centers, academic buildings, mixed-use and commercial projects. In 2004 and again in 2008 the firm was named one of Canada€™s 50 Best Managed Companies - the only firm of architects included in this group.
In 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 BUSINESS WEEK / ARCHITECTURAL RECORD selected the Israeli Foreign Ministry; the Four Seasons Opera House; the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C., and Southbrook Vineyards respectively, as the World€™s 10 Best Buildings completed in those years.
Sustainable Design: Diamond and Schmitt Architects is committed to producing sustainable building and site design to preserve and enrich our environment. The firm is a member of both the U.S. Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council. The firm has 32 LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Efficient) accredited sustainable design architects. More than 35 projects are registered for LEED designation with 5 achieving LEED Gold Certification. The firm is a proven leader in sustainable design and pioneered the application of a living wall bio-filter to purify air quality.
Project Management: The early planning stages of a project are particularly critical to the outcome, and we have developed an approach that ensures we have all the important information at hand and all the crucial systems in place before design development gets underway. Once preparations are complete, we take great care to maintain strict control over the design, documentation and construction processes, especially with respect to schedule, costs, and quality.
Country of Ownership: Canada
Year Established: 1975
Exporting: Yes
Primary Industry (NAICS): 541310 - Architectural Services
Primary Business Activity: Services
Total Sales ($CDN): $10,000,000 to $24,999,999
Number of Employees: 120
Services:
Architect - feasibility study, Architect - urban design, Architect - health care - hospitals, Architect - health care - other, Architect - education - universities, Architect - education - other, Architect - commercial (low rise), Architect - office building - low rise, Architect - office building - high rise, Architect - hotels/tourism, Architect - sports facilities, Architect - residential - single family, Architect - residential - high rise, Architect - residential - low cost, Architect - government, Architect - functional programming, Architect - architectural programming, Architect - master planning, Architect - site analysis, Architect - project construction management, Architect - interior design, Architect - landscape architecture, Architect - energy analysis, Architect - other (specify)
Technology:
Computer technology is a rapidly changing and developing field. Diamond and Schmitt Architects Incorporated maintains a leading position in utilizing, adapting and developing computer programs for the work of the firm.
The DSAI team utilizes Building Information Modeling (BIM). These remarkable three-dimensional modeling programs allow both the members of the firm and clients to test and refine options for site planning, landscape, building massing, shadow studies, plan configurations, construction systems, interior layouts, furniture arrangements, colours, textures and even lighting. Designs refined in this manner can then be transferred to production drawings. With this approach, building options are developed in three-dimensional fashion to allow the client to understand the true scale of facilities and allow a more appropriate dialogue between the architect and the stakeholders.
The computer drawings have the ability to be linked to costing systems and building specifications. As a result, coordination with mechanical, electrical and structural engineering is achieved with speed and precision. The firms data bases can be used to produce management systems and other forms of information and control throughout the life of buildings, landscape or urban systems.
Besides the workstations used in technical fields, the office uses a network of personal computers for project planning and management, graphic production and information storage. In our commitment to remain on the leading edge of technological development we continue to explore and develop techniques that allow us to provide the best possible service in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and planning.
Sector:
Key / Major Clients: City of Toronto
Government of Canada
Department of Foreign Affairs
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Infrastructure Ontario
Alberta Infrastructure
City of Mississauga
Town of Richmond Hill
Israeli Foreign Ministry
Russian Federation
Canadian Opera Corporation
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Shakespeare Theatre Company
National Ballet of Canada
University of Toronto
University of British Columbia
Queen€™s University
York University
University of Western Ontario
McGill University
University of Michigan
Drexel University
St. Michael's Hospital
Scarborough General Hospital
Bridgepoint Health
Success Stories: €œI think you have indeed build one of the great Opera Houses in the world – not in the first 10, but in the first 2 or 3 – and send you more congratulations than I can adequately express.€?
Richard Bradshaw
General Director
Canadian Opera Company
€œSo this is what superlative looks like up close. This building is the essence of superlative – it is the largest building to have ever been built on this campus; it is the most technically advanced; it is the most magnificent. But most of all it is the greatest example of the realized potential of universities, government and private donors working together to achieve that which none of us could have accomplished alone.€?
Dr. Martha Piper, President
University of British Columbia
Life Sciences Centre
Testimonial: €œThe Four Seasons Centre is a cultural gift to the City of Toronto and beyond. The sightlines and acoustic excellence have made us the envy of the opera world. We€™ve been able to expand our season from six to seven mainstage productions, our orchestra and chorus are universally acclaimed, and audiences are responding enthusiastically.€?
Arthur R.A. Scace, Jerry Heffernan, Peter Godsoe
Campaign Co-Chairs
Canadian Opera Company
€œDSAI was awarded the work at worked diligently at interpreting our Function Program, with numerous user meetings, to develop a design that is not only functional but will create an urban design element in the Discovery District that will be admired for many years to come. Your team has shown tremendous dedication to the project. Your personal involvement in the urban planning component was integral in our success in having the site rezoned to meet the new project requirements.
Your team has successfully created a primarily wet lab intensive building, with 10% more building area at a construction cost approximately 10% l
Diamond A. J.
Graham Robert
Schmitt Donald
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