Spencer R. Higgins, Architect Incorporated
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Toronto Court House, Toronto  

Heritage Structures Report, Impact Assessments, Conservation, Security Upgrades

 
   

The Toronto Court House is the specially designed centre for the delivery of criminal justice in the City of Toronto. Completed in 1966, it was designed by the Toronto firm of Marani, Rounthwaite and Dick Architects, and derives its form from contemporary 1960's design influences.

Our firm has been involved with the Court House since 2000. We completed a comprehensive Heritage Structures Report on the building in 2001 for Diamond & Schmitt Architects. We were subsequently retained as the heritage advisor on two separate renovation projects in 2008.

For Adamson Associates, the design architects responsible for accessibility upgrades to Courtroom 6-1, we prepared a Heritage Impact Assessment. Courtroom 6-1 is one of the largest and most prominant courtrooms in the Province. It serves both ceremonial functions and high profile cases. We developed a restoration strategy for the interior finishes in the courtroom. Our affliated conservation laboratory, ArconTest, provided specialist conservator services related to the interior finishes.

For Mulvey & Banani Engineers, the design consultants responsible for electrical upgrades to the Court House, we prepared an Heritage Impact Assessment related to this work. The proposed upgrades had implications for the architectural quality of the hallways and roofing elements.

In 2009 we were appointed prime consultant for the Security Upgrade Project for the Toronto Courthouse.

Toronto Court House
Exterior View - 2008

Courtroom 6-1, New Wheelchair Lift - 2008