UPDATE: See changes to the Diamond Schmitt talks schedule.

One of our favourite annual events in Toronto is Doors Open, two days when we get to explore nooks and crannies that are normally closed to the public or are normally ticketed, and it hits again this coming weekend. The website will tell you that there are more than 135 venues open; we're willing to go the extra distance and tell you that there are more than 136, 137, and beyond… as in fact there seem to be 141 listed. The event covers everything from historic buildings to the ultra-modern, from private homes to corporate headquarters, from houses of worship to the halls of learning, from entertainment palaces to the places where buildings are actually designed.

Of particular interest to us here at UrbanToronto are the events held at the architectural offices spread throughout Toronto; whether it be in hopes of catching a glimpse of the next big tower, or getting to see and perhaps even talk to those responsible for designing the buildings that we interact with on a daily basis, Doors Open has in the past allowed us to take a peek inside these studios. 

384 Adelaide Street West, offices of Diamond Schmitt, courtesy of Diamond Scmitt Inc.

One event we can't wait to get down to and see is being held at the Toronto-based architectural studio of Diamond Schmitt. The architectural firm is looking to actively engage the public with a series of informative presentations, centered on this year's theme of 'city building'. The talks will open with a presentation by Jack Diamond, followed by a series of talks every half hour. Each talk will focus on a specific project within the GTA and across Canada, ranging from condominium projects, to institutional buildings, to artistic installations. Look below to see the full schedule of presentations, as well as which architects from the firm will be presenting them.

Saturday May 26

  • 1:30PM Jack Diamond on City Building
  • 2:00PM Bridgepoint Hospital and the Don Jail by Gilda Giovane and Greg Colucci 
  • 2:30PM City of Vaughan Master Plan by Michael Szabo                           
  • 3:00PM Campus design for University of Ontario Institute of Technology by Michael Szabo    
  • 3:30PM Trends in Library Design by Sydney Browne                 
  • 4:00PM *CHANGE: CANMET metal testing lab in Hamilton (LEED Platinum candidate) by Birgit Siber
  • 4:30PM Diamond Schmitt’s Windscape installation for Luminato 2012 by Brad Hindson

Sunday May 27                

Bridgepoint Health Centre, image by Tom Arban

A true architectural junkie and Doors Open expert knows the weekend requires significant time management and some advanced planning - after catching one (or two) of the talks down at Diamond Schmitt's offices - located at 384 Adelaide Street West - head on over to one of the 9 other architectural open houses. Whether you want to see the offices of E.R.A. Architects Inc. or check out the award-winning modernist building that DTAH is located in, there's plenty to see, hear and do in the city this weekend.

Related Companies:  Bass Installation, CFMS Consulting Inc., Crossey Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, EllisDon, entro, HDR, LiveRoof Ontario Inc, LRI Engineering Inc., NAK Design Strategies, PCL Construction, Stantec, StrategyCorp