Doors Open 2014 is coming this weekend for the festival's 15th year of behind-the-scenes public access to some of Toronto's most famous and well guarded landmarks. On May 24th and May 25th, many buildings city-wide will be opening their doors to the public, offering free, rare access to their interiors. In addition, many of Toronto's architectural firms are opening their doors this year, and we have picked out six significant architectural offices to check out during this year's Doors Open.

Cannon Design

Cannon Design's office lies on the 12th floor of 200 University Avenue, a 14-storey office building built in 1961. The 12th floor also features a sweeping view up University Avenue, offering views of Queen's Park and neighbouring office towers. Most prominently, Cannon Design's up-and-coming projects will be showcased, giving visitors the chance to learn about the context and creative vision behind them.


DTAH

DTAH will be opening their offices, located near the Rosedale Valley ravine. The notable DTAH office was built in 1954, and will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Visitors can tour the renovated early modern building, while checking out the interior space displaying historical images of 50 Park Road. 

DTAH Offices, image courtesy of DTAH

Johnson Chou Inc.

The offices Johnson Chou will be open at 1085 Woodbine Avenue. The modern structure was built in 1930, featuring white and black stucco clad buildings. The tour will showcase the main structure designed by the Johnson Chou Inc, who are known for their "less is more" approach.

Johnson Chou Offices, image courtesy of Johnson Chou Inc.

NAK Design Strategies

The recently restored Dominion Bank building on Roncesvalles Avenue is currently home to landscape architect NAK Design Strategies. The original bank vaults and finishings are most prominent throughout the post-modern 1945 built structure. Staff members will be present to greet guests for an informal tour of their new design space.

Ontario Association of Architects 

The OAA building opened in 1992, and is home to the Ontario Association of Architects. This post-modern structure lies at the north end of Toronto at 111 Moatfield Drive, and was designed by Toronto architect Ruth Cawker, winner of a 1989 province-wide design contest. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the building and will be able to view an exhibit showcasing the 2014 OAA award winners.

Ontario Association Of Architects Bulding

Diamond Schmitt Architects

The Richmond Street offices of Diamond Schmitt Architects will be abuzz during Doors Open. Diamond Schmitt acquired and renovated the Ellis Building in 2004, originally the home of the Barber-Ellis Company. Diamond Schmitt now occupies three floors of the 1920s built structure. During Doors Open, visitors can tour the studio and enjoy back-to-back presentations by some of the firm's architects discussing projects such as the Peter Gilgan SickKids Tower, the Globe & Mail Centre, and other current and recently completed buildings. The presentations are one of the annual architectural highlights of Doors Open.

Saturday May 24

1:30pm Gilgan Centre with Duncan Higgins
2:00pm Hong Kong Theatres with Matthew Lella 
2:30pm Buffalo Rising with Antra Roze 
3:00pm Maison Symphonique and its organ with Jack Diamond
3:30pm University of Toronto Scarborough with Nigel Tai 
4:00pm Architecture and Digital Design with Gary Watson

Sunday May 25
1:30pm The Globe and Mail Centre with David Dow 
2:00pm Living Wall Biofilter at 10 with Birgit Siber 
2:30pm Thompson Rivers University Law School with Walton Chan 
3:00pm Kids, condos and downtown living with Sybil Wa 
3:30pm St. Catharines Performing Arts Centre with Sybil Wa 
4:00pm Vaughan Metropolitan Centre with Mike Szabo

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, image by Jack Landau

Doors Open 2014 is presented by Great Gulf Homes, and will be going on this weekend from 10am to 5pm each day. For a list of buildings open, head to the Doors Open official website.

If you go, we would love to share your experiences from this year's Doors Open Toronto. Join the discussion by heading over to the Doors Open 2014 Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Related Companies:  Diamond Schmitt Architects, EllisDon, HDR