DVSA reno posed unique architectural challenges

The Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA) is nearing the end of a $5 million transformation, all because the school was in need of an elevator.

To be more accurate, the DVSA already had an elevator, but it was not functioning at full capacity, failing to service all three of the building’s levels, explains DVSA Executive Director Arthur Greenblatt and Board of Governors member Robert C. Glass.

The DVSA, which has been in operation for over 35 years and sees close to 4,000 registrants pass through its doors on an annual basis, wanted to make its building fully accessible. Previously, a steep set of stairs led to the building’s main entrance, making entry difficult for those with mobility issues.

The school enlisted the services of architect Trevor Garwood-Jones — of the architectural firm Garwood-Jones and Hanham — and somewhere along the way, the proposed change to the elevator became the impetus to give the entire building an overhaul.

Garwood-Jones and Hanham have completed several renovations and architectural projects throughout the city such as the YMCA in Waterdown and the recent Hamilton City Hall renovation, both of which illustrate the modernist aesthetic for which the firm is known.

When embarking on renovations to older buildings, Garwood-Jones is a firm believer in respecting the integrity of the structure, in “blending the old with the new” and in “paying homage to past architecture.”

 But renovating older buildings often brings about unique challenges. The DVSA building — which is actually formed of two structures, one dating to 1836 and the other to 1942 — proposed a “number of problems.”

“There were no drawings to start off with,” says Garwood-Jones.

As a result, neither the architect nor the contractors ”knew what was in the ground.” Indeed, digging revealed two buried smokestacks which spoke to the building’s previous incarnations as former fastener and munitions factories.

The school’s famed neo-Georgian glass windows could not be replaced with glass panes from that period as they were “full of lead.” So they were instead replaced with thermally efficient replicas. But while they were being installed, another   discovery was made:

“The size of the two buildings is not the same,” explains Garwood-Jones. “There is a 3-inch difference that we never picked up on until we started installing.”

And while the new brick used in the reno matches the colour of the original, contemporary brick sizes have are now smaller than those originally used in the construction of the building.

Yet not all of the changes have proved to be exercises in frustration.

“The top floor was full of oil and grease,” says Garwood-Jones of the loft where the annual live art auction is held. “We’ve sandblasted the old wood beams and the metal work has been painted black. It looks quite good, it’s a lovely space.”

He also speaks enthusiastically about the new school library, which will be housed in the former gallery space, and which will feature a café.

“It will be a space frame structure, finished in walnut. It will be like a space ship,” he says, smiling.

Further changes have been made to the building’s interior layout and spaces.

“The studios have all been changed around. They have projection equipment and infrared lighting to keep [nude] models warm. The studios have blackout blinds and  there is new lighting that comes down on flexible stalks to suit the needs of particular conditions. There is a new media lab with wifi throughout the building.”

The renovations will leave the studios with more natural light filtering into the spaces, which is a definite boon for an art school.

There is also more flexibility with many of the spaces. Two smaller spaces have been repurposed as the new main gallery. A kitchen prep area has been added, which will be useful for when the school hosts events. And many of the washrooms are now fully accessible.

Though the DVSA’s industrial aesthetic has been maintained, other changes have been made to draw attention to its current existence as a hub of artistic activity.

Stadium steps covered by a metal canopy will allow the school to accommodate outdoor classes and performances. Translucent panels have been added in this area

“[The panels] look quite artistic in structure and define the DVSA as an arts school,” explains Garwood-Jones.

The front and back entry doors have had stained glass added, which Garwood Jones explains is,  “slightly Frank Lloyd Wright-ish. I wanted to have something that announced it as an arts building, where people would drive by and ask, ‘what’s this crazy building?’”