Toronto-based Diamond Schmitt Architects has officially extended their practice to Vancouver by establishing a permanent presence in the city. The Vancouver office, located at 1500 West Georgia Street, is being led by Senior Associate Ana Maria Llanos, a veteran member of the Diamond Schmitt team with 20 years of experience. Llanos was appointed Project Architect for the new 300,000-square-foot Emily Carr University of Art + Design, which is currently under construction.

Forming the new Emily Carr University of Art + Design campus, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

"Western Canada has always been well represented in our portfolio, and with current projects and pursuits now is the right time to open a studio in Vancouver and be closer to our clients in the western regions of Canada and the United States," said Donald Schmitt, Principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects. Indeed, the firm's extensive portfolio features a number of projects in Vancouver, including the University of British Columbia Undergrad Life Sciences Teaching Laboratories and the Britannia Community Centre Renewal project.

The campus redevelopment of Emily Carr University of Art + Design is one of the firm's largest projects in the province to date. The new home of the venerable school, founded as the Vancouver School of Art in 1925, will be located on Great Northern Way, where an increasing array of affordable incubator, exhibition, workshop, and innovation space in the neighbourhood is contributing to the creation of a new cultural hub in the city. The facility will accommodate 3,800 students in state-of-the-art studios, with a surfeit of informal gathering and discussion spaces to boot.

Construction of the new Emily Carr University of Art + Design, image by Forum contributor Roundabout

Llanos will be speaking at the upcoming Architectural Institute of British Columbia's Annual Conference, which takes place from May 8th to 10th. She will share her thoughts and expertise on Integrated Project Delivery, a collaborative design and construction process that is finding favour in Canada for its cost control, schedule adherence, and design integrity. 

National Arts Centre Revitalization in Ottawa, image via Diamond Schmitt Architects

In addition to the developments pursued by Diamond Schmitt Architects at home, the firm has left a considerable legacy abroad. Their breadth of work includes performing arts centres, residential towers, commercial buildings, sports and academic facilities, and health facilities. The transformation of David Geffen Hall at New York City's Lincoln Center, the rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and the restoration of the Government Conference Centre are among the practice's current projects.

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