Diamond Schmitt is one of the most respected architecture firms in the world, and their work is helping to shape the future of our cities. This article takes a close look at some Diamond Schmitt projects in their impressive portfolio, from famous concert halls to modern research labs, to show how they blend beautiful design with environmental care. Discover the stories behind some of their most iconic buildings and see what makes their approach to construction so unique.
About Diamond Schmitt
Founded in 1975, Diamond Schmitt is a global architectural firm headquartered in Toronto. Over the last few decades, they have grown into an industry powerhouse, known for working closely with clients. They are well known for their collaborative approach and deep expertise in high-performance, environmentally responsible design.
The firm works across a diverse range of building types—from healthcare facilities and academic campuses to residential towers—but is best known for its world-class performing arts centres celebrated for both striking design and exceptional acoustics. Its projects regularly earn major awards for seamlessly blending contemporary architecture with high-performance, sustainable design.
10 past, present, and future projects from Diamond Schmitt
Diamond Schmitt has designed hundreds of buildings that change how we experience art, education, and cities. Here are some of their most exciting projects from around the world.
1. David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
- Location: New York City, New York
- Year built: 2022
- Typology: Performing Arts Center
This project was a massive reimagining of the home of the New York Philharmonic. Diamond Schmitt focused on fixing the acoustics and making the space feel more personal. They moved the stage forward by 25 feet and reduced the seating capacity so that every guest is closer to the music. The new design uses warm wood and soft curves to turn a plain room into a world-class concert hall.
2. National Arts Centre (NAC) Rejuvenation
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Year built: 2017
- Typology: Cultural / Public Space
The original National Arts Centre, designed in a stark brutalist style, was dominated by concrete and limited natural light. Diamond Schmitt transformed it by adding a sweeping, transparent glass wing that wraps around the building. This “living room for the city” connects the center to Ottawa’s streets and frames stunning views of Parliament Hill, turning the once-dark fortress into a vibrant, inviting beacon for the arts.
3. New Senate of Canada Building
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Year built: 2019
- Typology: Government / Heritage
This project involved restoring Ottawa’s historic central train station to serve as a temporary home for the Senate. The team used modern technology, like 3D scanning, to create intricate wood and bronze details that look like they belong in the original 1912 building. It is a perfect example of how old landmarks can be updated for modern use while maintaining their historic charm.
4. Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences
- Location: Lubbock, Texas
- Year built: 2021
- Typology: Multi-use / Arts
Honoring the legacy of Buddy Holly, this hall stands as a premier cultural destination in West Texas. At the heart of the buildings is a striking 56-foot spiral staircase, complemented by a main theater engineered for exceptional acoustics. The building is environmentally conscious, achieving LEED Silver certification, and features innovative concrete fins that shield the interior from the blazing Texas sun while flooding the space with natural light.
5. The Globe and Mail Centre
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Year built: 2016
- Typology: Office / Mixed-use
This 17-story tower serves as the headquarters for one of Canada’s biggest newspapers. The design uses 10 vertically stacked blocks to create varying heights and unique terraces for workers. It features floor-to-ceiling windows that provide incredible views of the Toronto waterfront. The building is also LEED Gold certified, proving that big office towers can be both beautiful and sustainable.
6. Emily Carr University of Art + Design
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
- Year built: 2017
- Typology: Academic / Higher Education
This campus was designed as a true “blank canvas” for students, with open, light-filled spaces that encourage collaboration across artistic disciplines. Its exterior showcases vibrant metal panels reminiscent of a painter’s palette, creating a bright, energetic, and inspiring environment that embodies the university’s creative spirit.
7. Lazaridis Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University
- Location: Waterloo, Ontario
- Year built: 2017
- Typology: Academic / Business School
This building stands as a landmark for business and economics students, anchored by a soaring atrium lined with warm wood that serves as the campus’s central gathering space. Its striking “floating” lecture halls hover above the open area, creating a sense of openness and transparency. The design fosters connection, inviting collaboration between students and local tech companies.
8. Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Year built: 2013
- Typology: Healthcare / Research
This towering facility, part of the SickKids hospital complex, ranks among the largest pediatric research centers in the world. Its “watered” floors and open lab layouts are designed to foster collaboration, encouraging scientists from diverse fields to interact and share ideas. With a striking glass exterior and luminous atriums, the building exemplifies how thoughtful architecture can inspire innovation and advance medical discovery.
9. Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH)
- Location: Toronto, Ontario (UTSC)
- Year built: 2026 (TBD)
- Typology: Institutional / Healthcare Education
Currently under development, this future-facing facility will serve as a hub for training healthcare professionals. The design focuses on inclusivity and community, providing students with modern simulation labs and clinical spaces. Once complete, it will play a vital role in improving medical education and services in the eastern part of the Greater Toronto Area.
10. Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery (AGO Expansion)
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Status: Under construction (Estimated completion 2027)
- Typology: Cultural / Museum
This marks the seventh major expansion in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s history. In collaboration with Selldorf Architects and Two Row Architect, Diamond Schmitt is adding 40,000 square feet of innovative gallery space. The design stands out for its flexible, column-free interiors and ambitious sustainability goals, aiming for net-zero carbon operation without relying on fossil fuels. It also thoughtfully incorporates Indigenous values, creating a wing that is deeply connected to both the land and the community it serves.
Further reading
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