Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy today announced that following a rigorous selection process, the University has chosen Toronto-based Diamond and Schmitt Architects to develop and design the new $8 million Ryerson Photography Gallery and Research Centre.

The gallery and research centre will be located at 122 Bond Street, in the School of Image Arts building at the heart of the Ryerson campus. It will house the University's world-renowned Black Star Historical Black & White Photography Collection and the Mira Godard Study Centre. The facility, which will be directly accessible from the street, will occupy approximately 10,500 SF and will include several gallery and exhibit spaces, research facilities, and storage areas.

"Diamond and Schmitt Architects brings vision, design excellence and impeccable credentials to the Ryerson Photography Gallery and Research Centre," said Levy. "The team is ideal for a project that integrates teaching, research, study and gallery activities into one world-class facility. The gallery and research centre will provide an optimum learning environment for our graduate and undergraduate students, and will be a wonderful addition to our downtown Toronto community."

"The Ryerson Photography Gallery and Research Centre will create learning opportunities to engage and inspire students, visitors, scholars, and educators," said Donald Schmitt, principal-in charge. "It will be a place of stories told by the images of people who have played a role in the history of the 20th century. It is our role as architects and coordinators of the design team to create a place where these stories are conserved and brought to life."

Diamond and Schmitt Architects was established in 1975 and has received over 100 regional, national and international awards for design, including six Governor General's Awards for architecture. Past projects include the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (the new home of the Canadian Opera Company) in Toronto; the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University, Kingston; the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Hall; The Esplanade: Arts and Heritage Centre, Medicine Hat, Alberta; and the Weston Family Innovation Centre at the Ontario Science Centre.

Other members of the Diamond and Schmitt Architects team are: LORD Cultural Resources (Gallery Planning); Crossey Engineering Ltd. (Lighting Design, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering); Halcrow Yolles (Structural Engineers); Aercoustic Engineering (Acoustical Consultants); H.H. Angus (Vertical Transportation); T. Harris Environmental (Asbestos Management); LMDG (Building Code Consultants); Ehvert Engineering Inc. (Communications Distribution); and CFMS Consultants Inc. (Commissioning Consultant).