Canadian architects will design Brampton’s downtown Centre for Innovation

Brampton’s dream of a Centre for Innovation (CFI) is a step closer to fruition after the City announced the hiring of an architectural firm.

Leading the project, which is a key cog in the City’s work to revitalize and unlock the potential of the downtown core, will be Canadian firm Diamond Schmitt.

Diamond Schmitt, is a Canadian firm that has provided innovative designs for cultural, academic, and civic spaces around the world.

Some of Diamond Schmitt’s best known projects include the Senate of Canada Building; Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver; the Mariinsky II Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia; the National Arts Centre in Ottawa; Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and The Globe and Mail Centre; Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo and Brampton’s own Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness.

Diamond Schmitt is also designing the new Ottawa Public Library and Library and Archives Canada (OPL-LAC) Joint Facility.

With a focus on designs inspired by urban community, historic context, creative placemaking and a commitment to purpose-built, highly-sustainable, low-carbon and low-energy buildings, the City believes Diamond Schmitt is the perfect fit to deliver a transformative icon in downtown Brampton.

“Brampton is in the midst of an exciting transformation and our Centre for Innovation will play a pivotal role in helping to develop our city into a major education and innovation hub,” said Brampton mayor Patrick Brown.

The CFI will be located centrally in Brampton’s downtown core and support the presence of current and future post-secondary institutions in the city such as Algoma University, Ryerson University and the University of Guelph-Humber.

It will also play an integral role in connecting those institutions with local businesses and start-ups and help connect Brampton’s workforce with skilled jobs of the future.

The CFI will provide significant stimulus at the heart of the city’s downtown, and the design of the facility will provide a positive and engaging user experience both within the building and through its streetscape and urban design.

“We are excited to be a part of this transformative project. The Centre for Innovation presents an extraordinary opportunity for our team to chart the course for innovation, resilience, and sustainability,: said Mike Szabo from Diamond Schmitt.

As part of Brampton’s growing Innovation District, the Centre for Innovation will be a collaborative space offering a new central library providing opportunities for digital creation and programming, performance and audio recording, assistive technologies for various abilities, and culture days. The library will provide flexible office spaces to engage residents and community partners.

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.

Photo of Ottawa Public Library courtesy Diamond Schmitt