User:Patricia Diaz Basulto/RDH Architects

Rounthwaite, Dick & Hadley Architects (RDHA) is a Toronto-based architecture firm founded in 1919 by Ferdinand Herbert Marani. It is one of the oldest practices in Canada.

The century-long firm focuses on architecture for the public realm and has developed an extensive portfolio encompassing "corporate headquarters, industrial facilities, academic buildings, transportation facilities, recreation centres, libraries, secure buildings and interiors." They have won over 40 provincial, national and international awards in the last 10 years, including 3 Governor General's Medals, the 2018 RAIC Architectural Firm Award, and the 2014 Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Young Architect award for partner Tyler Sharp.

The practice has re-emerged under the partnership of a younger generation of architects as a "concept-driven, elite design firm" attracting a wide range of young designers. RDHA is currently comprised of a team of 22 employees led by principals Bob Goyeche, Geoff Miller, Tyler Sharp, and Momin Hoq.

History
Ferdie Marani founded the firm in 1919 in the Bloor Street Diet Kitchen's tearoom, a place where young architects would meet after World War 1 to dispute architecture. The architectural practice was first known as F.H. Marani. While working by himself, his first works consisted of residential projects such as townhouses and country homes in Ontario and Quebec.

In 1924, Mr. Marani brought on the firm’s second partner, James Paisley after winning the St. Andrews College (Aurora, ON) competition together. This partnership led to a revision of the name, becoming Marani & Paisley Architects. As the firm rapidly grew, they decided to embark a third partner, James Lawson. Not too long after, Marani, Lawson & Paisley Architects were commissioned to design the Medical Arts Building in Toronto. Although this project was their largest commission up to date, it imposed many challenges, resulting in the departure of Paisley.

Bill Morris became the next partner in 1930, bringing in "fresh ideas about emerging modernist ideals." Marani, Lawson and Morris began to gain more recognition and won various awards and prizes. However, the hit of the great depression left many people struggling to make ends meet. In light of these difficult times, the firm was commissioned to design North American Life Assurance Company headquarters on King street in 1932. When World War 2 started, the three partners left to serve in war-related agencies, leaving the practice to Archie Robertson. After returning home, Ferdie Marani and Bill Morris promoted Mr. Robertson as a partner. The firm continued to grow, and during the post-war years they designed reputable projects such as "Manufacturers Life, Crown Life and Confederation Life in Toronto, Metropolitan Life in Ottawa, Great-West Life in Winnipeg, the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, the Royal Bank of Canada in Toronto, the Metropolitan Toronto Court House, and the military portion of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC." During this period, Marvin Allan, an associate, became partner, forming Marani, Morris, and Allen. The practice flourished in North America and earned a reputation as one of the best companies in the continent. In 1958, they gained international recognition when partner Bill Morris received the Queen's Royal Gold Medal for Architecture. Growth followed these successes and in 1963 Ronald Dick, the firm’s chief designer, was promoted to senior partner. In a sudden turn of events, that same year Bill Morris and Marvin Allan passed away, only six weeks apart. This tragedy led Ferdie Marani to merge partnership with Rounthwaite & Associates in 1964, an architecture firm led by Fred Rounthwaite, a co-recipient of the Massey Gold Medal by the RAIC for the Stratford Festival Theatre's design. This merger formed Marani, Rounthwaite & Dick Architects.

Ferdie Marani died in 1971, at this time, Glenn Hadley became a partner. This partnership led to a final revision of the practice's name into Rounthwaite, Dick & Hadley Architects. During the 1990 recession, the firm struggled to stay afloat but as the economy recovered, partners Glenn Hadley, Rob Bokyo, and Bob Goyeche, managed to turn things around for the business. While keeping the firm's prosperity in mind, they decided to connect with Tyler Sharp and Geoff Miller, graduates of Dalhousie University and "handed them the design reigns" of the firm. This younger generation of architects has brought changes to the company. Both of Sharps and Millers first project won Governor General Medals. They became partners in 2012. In 2005, the firm reinvented itself from a "staid and competent firm with significant project management and technical experience to a studio striving to produce intelligent architecture of the highest calibre." Current partners, Tyler Sharp, Geoff Miller, Bob Goyeche, and Momin Hoq, continue to succeed RDHA's legacy. Projects such as, but not limited to, the Idea Exchange Old Post Office, and Bloor / Gladstone Library highlight the firm's redefined design approach, attracting a wide-range of talented young designers.

Idea Exchange Old Post Office (2018)
This adaptive re-use project was completed in 2018 in Cambridge, Ontario on the bank of the Grand River. It synergizes the former Galt Post Office, a heritage structure, with a glass pavilion that cantilevers over the river. Unlike conventional libraries, the heritage building was restored and renovated to accommodate marker spaces and act as a "bookless" library with its transparent counterpart. Together it houses programs such as a creative studio spaces with a black box theater, film and audio recording rooms, a children's discovery center, and maker-spaces with access to 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking and metalworking tools. The addition wraps around the original building to promote views of the post office and reveal the innovative spaces to the downtown area. It is cladded in glass with a fritted pattern that complements the decorative details on the existing buildings exterior walls.

Awards

 * 2020 OAA Design Excellence Award Finalist
 * 2019 National Trust for Canada Award Recipient
 * 2019 CAHP Award of Merit
 * 2019 Azure AZ Award for Design Excellence
 * 2019 Azure AZ People’s Choice Award
 * 2019 Architizer A+ Awards Finalist
 * 2019 The Plan Awards Finalist
 * 2018 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence
 * 2018 Architecture MasterPrize Award Recipient
 * 2016 Architectural Review MIPIM Future Project Awards Commendation

Bloor/Gladstone Branch Library (2010)
"This was the first project of a new generation of RDHA... and then the first to start winning significant recognition." The 12, 000 sqf addition to the existing Bloor Gladstone Library acts as a juxtaposition to the renovated heritage structure. The transparent pavilion sits on a limestone base and translates the library's culture by increasing visibility. It provides reading spaces with views to and from the city, maintaining a close relationship to the surrounding landscape. Certain details on the exterior complement the heritage facade. An example is the correlation between the five sections of glazing in the new section and the five arched windows on the existing building. All new elements are composed of steel and aluminum to contrast the existing masonry and plaster details. Sustainability was integrated through the use of efficient mechanical systems, two green roofs systems, reduction in city storm water demand, permeable pavement, domestic plants, 19 new trees, non v.o.c materials and high energy efficient glazing to increase natural light. The quality of design illustrates "the fundamental importance of access to information offered by the world’s largest library system."

Awards

 * 2014 Governor General's Medal for Architecture
 * 2011 Paul Oberman Award for Heritage Preservation
 * 2011 OAA Award of Excellence
 * 2010 Design Exchange Gold Medal
 * 2010 Best of Canada Award, Canadian Interiors
 * 2010 Heritage Toronto Awards Honourable Mention
 * 2010 Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award
 * 2010 Ontario Library Association Award of Excellence
 * 2007 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence, Notable Mention

Royal Bank of Canada Regional Headquarters (1965)
Completed in 1965 under Marani, Morris, and Allan, this project demonstrates the firms mid-twentieth century corporate architecture style from that time. It is located in the financial district in Toronto on King street.

CNE Grandstand (1948; demolished 1999)
Completed in 1948, the brick and limestone cladded CNE grandstand was the first postwar Modernist Building in the Exhibition Place in Toronto. The multi-purpose stadium hosted concerts, special events such as track and field, auto racing, circuses, and more. It was also the home of the Toronto Argonauts and the Toronto Blue Jays. The structure was defined by a steel truss roof which cantilevered of the bleachers. It initially contained 20, 633 seats and later on several additions were made, reaching 54, 000 seats. The concrete stadium was demolished in 1999 and has since been replaced by the TFC stadium.

Awards

 * 1950 Massey Silver Medal for Architecture

Cultural

 * 2018: Pinocchio Children's Library, YAC International design competition honourable mention
 * 2016: Mississauga Central Library Revitalization, Mississauga, ON
 * 2014 - 2018: Springdale Library and Komagata Maru Park, Brampton, ON
 * 2014 - 2018: Idea Exchange Old Post Office, Cambridge, ON
 * 2011 - 2015: Waterdown Library and Civic Centre, Waterdown, ON
 * 2009 - 2014: Guelph Market Square Pavilion, Guelph, ON
 * 2009 - 2011: Lakeview Library MPL01, Mississauga, ON
 * 2009 - 2011: Port Credit Library MPL02, Mississauga, ON
 * 2009 - 2011: Lorne Park Library MPL03, Mississauga, ON
 * 2008 - 2011: Hamilton Central Library and Farmers' Market, Hamilton, ON
 * 2005 - 2010: Bloor/Gladstone District Library, Toronto, ON
 * 2003 - 2006: Doris McCarthy Art Gallery, Scarborough, ON

Education

 * 2019 - Ongoing: Lawson Centre for Sustainability, Trinity College
 * 2018 - Ongoing: FitzGerald Building Revitalization, University of Toronto
 * 2011 - 2017: Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineering School, CFB Borden
 * 2006 - 2009: Plaza Building, Brock University
 * 2005 - 2009: School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo
 * 2005 - 2001: Academic Advising and Career Centre, University of Scarborough
 * 2004 - 2006: G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

Industrial

 * 2012 - 2017: Williams Parkway Operations Centre, Brampton, ON
 * 2013 - 2017: Quinte West Operations Centre, Quinte West, ON
 * 2012 - 2015: Surrey Operations Centre, Surrey, BC
 * 2014 - 2016: Riverview Operations Centre, Riverview, NB
 * 2006 - 2011: Newmarket Operations Centre, Newmarket, ON
 * 2013 - 2015: Robert C Austin Operations Centre, Halton Hills, ON
 * 2016 - Ongoing: Whitehorse Central Operations Centre

Recreation

 * 2019 Design: Cloverdale Sport & Ice Complex, Surrey, BC
 * 2011 - 2014: Welland International Flatwater Centre, Welland, ON
 * 2009 - 2014: Guelph Market Square Pavilion, Guelph, ON
 * 2009 Design: Toronto Regional Sports Complex, Toronto, ON
 * 2009 - 2012: Stoney Creek Recreation Centre, Hamilton, ON
 * 2009 - 2012: Harry Howel Arena, Hamilton, ON
 * 2004 - 2006: The Boulevard Club, Toronto, ON
 * 1999 - 2003: Cornwall Aquatic Centre, Cornwall, ON
 * 2001: Hart House, Toronto, ON (Renovation)

Office

 * 2012 - 2017: Williams Parkway Operations Centre, Brampton, ON
 * 2012 - 2015: Surrey Operations Centre, Surrey, BC
 * 2005 Design: First Leaside Headquarters, Uxbridge, ON
 * 1960 - 1965: Royal Bank of Canada Regional Headquarters, Toronto, ON

Secure

 * 2007 - 2016: Canadian Chancery Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria
 * 2003 - 2008: Canadian Chancery Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Transit

 * 2016 - Ongoing: Union Station Enhancement, Toronto, ON
 * 2014 - 2019: Guildwood GO Station, Scarborough, ON
 * 2016 - Ongoing: Confederation GO Station, Hamilton, ON
 * 2015 Design: Eglinton GO Station, Scarborough, ON
 * 2016 - Ongoing: Whitehorse Central Operations Centre, Yukon Territory

Marani, Lawson & Paisley

 * 1928-1929: Medical Arts Building, 170 St. George St. at Bloor St., Toronto

Marani, Lawson & Morris

 * 1935: Fort York Armoury, 660 Fleet Street, Toronto

Marani & Morris

 * 1947-1948: Grandstand, Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto
 * 1954-1956: Confederation Life Insurance, 321 Bloor Street East, Toronto
 * 1953: Manufacturers’ Life Insurance, 200 Bloor St East
 * 1956: Crown Life Insurance Company, 120 Bloor Street East, Toronto
 * 1958: Bank of Canada, 250 University Avenue, Toronto

Marani, Morris & Allan

 * 1958: Shell Oil Building, 505 University Avenue, Toronto
 * 1960 - 1965: Cherry Street Bridge, Toronto
 * 1961: Royal Bank Regional Headquarters, 20 King Street West, Toronto
 * 1961: Maclean Hunter Publishing, 481 University Avenue, Toronto (addition)
 * 1962: Better Living Centre, Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto

Marani, Rounthwaite & Dick

 * 1964: London Life, 255 Dufferin Avenue, London
 * 1965: Bell Telephone, 76 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
 * 1966: New Courthouse, 361 University Avenue, Toronto
 * 1966: Shell Oil Building, 505 University Avenue, Toronto (addition)
 * 1968: Manufacturers’ Life Insurance, 250 Bloor Street East, Toronto
 * 1969: Sheridan College, 1430 Trafalgar Rd, Oakville
 * 1979: Bank of Canada, 234 Wellington St W, Ottawa - In partnership with Arthur Erickson

Selected Awards

 * 2020: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award Finalist - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2020: National Urban Design Certificate of Merit - Springdale Library and Komagata Maru Park
 * 2019: Ontario CISC Steel Design Award - Springdale Library and Komagata Maru Park
 * 2019: Brampton Urban Design Award of Citation - Williams Parkway Operations Centre Phase 2
 * 2019: Brampton Urban Design Award of Excellence  - Springdale Library and Komagata Maru Park
 * 2019: Ontario Concrete Infrastructure Award - Guildwood GO Station
 * 2019: National Trust for Canada Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Award - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: Architizer A+ Award - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: AZ Azure Award of Excellence - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: AZ Azure People’s Choice Award - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: Ontario Library Association Library Building Award - Springdale Library
 * 2019: The Plan Award Finalist - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: AZ Awards Finalist - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2018: Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals Award of Merit - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2018: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2018: Architecture MasterPrize - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2018: Architecture MasterPrize - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2018: Chicago Athenaeum International Award of Excellence - Williams Parkway Operations Centre
 * 2018: Real Property, Best Practices - Project Management - Royal Canadian Electrical & Mechanical Engineering School
 * 2018: Canadian Interiors Best of Canada Award - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2018: The Plan Award Finalist - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2018: The Plan Award Finalist - Williams Parkway Operations Centre
 * 2018: YAC International Design Competition Honourable Mention - Pinocchio Children's Library
 * 2018: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Architectural Firm Award Recipient
 * 2017: NewCity Design Interiors Award of Excellence - Surrey Operations Centre
 * 2017: NewCity Design Institutional Award of Merit - Surrey Operations Centre
 * 2017: Hamilton Urban Design Award of Excellence - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: Chicago Athenaeum International Award of Excellence - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award - Williams Parkway Operations Centre
 * 2017: Architizer International Architecture Awards Finalist - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2016: Architectural Review MIPIM Future Project Awards Commendation - Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2016: Architectural Institute of British Columbia Innovation Award - Surrey Operations Centre
 * 2016: Brampton Urban Design Institutional Building Award of Merit - Williams Parkway Operations Centre
 * 2016: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Awards Finalist - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2016: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Awards Finalist - Surrey Operations Centre
 * 2016: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Awards Finalist - Mississauga Public Library Project
 * 2015: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - Springdale Library and Park
 * 2015: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - Eglinton GO Station
 * 2015: Fraser Valley Commercial Building Sustainability Award - Surrey Operations Centre
 * 2014: Governor General's Medal for Architecture - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2014: RAIC Young Architect Award - Tyler Sharp, Design Director
 * 2014: American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Award - Welland International Flatwater Centre
 * 2014: Chicago Athenaeum International Award of Excellence - Hamilton Central Library and Farmers' Market
 * 2014: Ontario Association of Architects Award of Excellence - Stoney Creek Recreation Centre
 * 2014: Mississauga Urban Design, Healthy by Design Award - Sheridan College, Hazel McCallion Campus Phase 1
 * 2014: Mississauga Urban Design Award of Excellence - Sheridan College, Hazel McCallion Campus Phase 1
 * 2013: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - Waterdown Library
 * 2013: Canadian Architect Award of Merit - Guelph Market Square Pavilion
 * 2013: Hamilton Urban Design Award of Merit - Stoney Creek Recreation Centre
 * 2012: Governor General's Medal for Architecture - Mississauga Public Library Project
 * 2012: Governor General's Medal for Architecture - Newmarket Operations Centre
 * 2012: Ontario Library Association Award of Excellence - Hamilton Central Library and Farmers’ Market
 * 2012: Best of Canada Award - Canadian Interiors Magazine Hamilton Central Library
 * 2012: Mississauga Urban Design Awards Award of Excellence - Mississauga Public Library Project
 * 2011: Ontario Association of Architects Award of Excellence - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2011: Ontario Association of Architects Award of Excellence - Hamilton Central Library and Farmers’ Market
 * 2011: Paul Oberman Award for Outstanding Achievement - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2011: Design Exchange Awards of Excellence, Bronze Medal - Hamilton Central Library and Farmers’ Market
 * 2010: Design Exchange Awards of Excellence, Gold Medal - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: Chicago Athenaeum, International Architecture Award - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: Ontario Library Association Design Excellence Award - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: Nova Scotia Lieutenant Governor’s Award - Canadian Chancery, Dhaka
 * 2010: Canadian Interiors Best In Canada Landscape Design - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: Heritage Toronto Honourable Mention - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2009: Canadian Architect Honourable Mention - Hamilton Central Library and Farmers’ Market
 * 2009: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - Newmarket Operations Centre
 * 2008: Canadian Architect Award of Excellence - First Leaside Financial Office Headquarters
 * 2008: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award - Academic Resource Centre, University of Toronto Scarborough
 * 2007: Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award - Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Ryerson University

Selected Publications

 * 2019: Canadian Architect. Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2019: Architectural Record Snapshot. Idea Exchange Old Post Office
 * 2018: Canadian Interiors. Best in Canada, Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2018: Canadian Architect.  Williams Parkway Operations Centre
 * 2018: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - RDHA
 * 2017: Architectural Record.  Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: Canadian Interiors.  Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: Yapi: Architecture, Design, Culture and Art.  Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: OnOffice: Architecture & Design at Work.  Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2017: Globe and Mail.  Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2016: Architectural Review.  Future Project Awards Old Post Office Idea Exchange
 * 2016: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Eglinton GO Station
 * 2015: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Springdale Library
 * 2014: Canadian Architect.  Governor General's Medals Issue - Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2013: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Waterdown Library and Civic Centre
 * 2013: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Guelph Market Pavilion
 * 2012: AIT Magazine.  Feature, Hamilton Central Library and Farmers’ Market
 * 2012: Globe and Mail.  Real Estate feature,  Mississauga Public Library project
 * 2012: Canadian Interiors.  Best of Canada Awards, Hamilton Central Library
 * 2011: Canadian Architect.  Cover Story, Hamilton Central Library
 * 2011: ARCHITECT Magazine. Cover Story, Hamilton Central Library
 * 2011: Architectural Record.  Building Types Study: Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2011: Architektur Magazine.  Feature, Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: Canadian Interiors. Best in Canada, Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2010: “Masterpieces: Library Architecture and Design”.  Verlagsrhaus, Braun,Austria.
 * 2009: The Globe and Mail.  Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2009: Toronto Star.  Bloor/Gladstone District Library
 * 2009: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Newmarket Operations Centre
 * 2009: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue - Hamilton Central Library
 * 2009: “Ice Architecture” : First Leaside Financial.  Verlagsrhaus, Braun, Austria
 * 2009: 1000X Architecture of the Americas.  Verlagsrhaus Braun, Austria
 * 2008: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue, First Leaside Financial Headquarters
 * 2007: Canadian Architect.  Awards Issue, Bloor/Gladstone District Library