The Idea Exchange Old Post Office
Cambridge,
ON
Award Category:
Governor General鈥檚 Medals in Architecture
RDH Architects (RDHA)
Occupancy: October 15, 2018
Construction Budget: $12 million
The Idea Exchange Old Post Office is a major renovation, restoration and addition to a heritage-listed structure in Cambridge, Ontario. This project adapts the 1885 post office to accommodate the Idea Exchange, a bookless library that centres on open studio spaces for creative work by people of all ages. Housed within a heritage structure in constant dialogue with its contemporary addition, the Idea Exchange Old Post Office projects the life and vitality of a progressive public library program to the street, the river, and the city beyond.
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Project Credits:听
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Client - City of Cambridge and the Idea Exchange
Landscape Architect - NAK Design听
Landscape Architect - NAK Design听
Structural Engineers - WSP / Halsall Ltd.听
Mechanical / Electrical Engineering - Jain Associates Ltd.听
Civil Engineers - Valdor Engineering Inc.听
Acoustic Engineering - Aercoustics听
Code Consultant - L.R.I.听
Cost Consulting - AW Hooker听
Contractor - Collaborative Structures Ltd.听听
Heritage Consultant - Steven Burgess Architects Ltd.听
Heritage Consultant - Steven Burgess Architects Ltd.听
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PHOTO - Tom Arban听
PHOTO - Tom Arban
PHOTO - Tom Arban
PHOTO - Tom Arban听
PHOTO - Tom Arban听
The architects integrated contemporary volumes into a historic building with boldness and attention to the fine detail of the junctions between the new and existing structures. This creates a continuity by contrast. Lightened views among common spaces over the water and the gesture of daylight washing the historic fa莽ades create an interesting and coherent program.
2022 Jury