Execution:
When the windows were removed to be restored, sections of some collapsed under their own weight. Our heritage window contractor, HBK Custom Woodworking, broke the window components apart, stripped them, restored them, and then reassembled them. The only difference between the original and the restored is that the restored windows are now double glazed.

The author of the museum document was Moriyama and Teshima Architects (MTA) of Toronto, the same architects that designed Waterloo Region’s museum.  They developed simple, well-used elements into features rarely seen, such as curtain wall framing. The entire front display area is wrapped with twenty-foot high curtain walls letting the natural light in and features a beautiful tempered glass guarded stairwell.

Additional heritage building elements that were restored included the cedar shake roof, lead-covered copper trough and whirly vents, stone building walls and retaining wall, and the fountain donated by the Queen of England that needed to be moved off-site during the construction and then brought back to the site and reinstalled upon completion of the landscaping.

Like all museums, the project required highly sophisticated air systems and dehumidification for artifact preservation, high-density storage, and FADM accessibility requirements.

This complex undertaking - to build and restore a key part of Canada's history - was completed ahead of schedule, in time for the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812.

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CSL installed barrier-free accessibility throughout the building, incorporated an elevator with access to all levels, added a new digital media lab in the basement, and restored the exterior of the building to capture and sustain the historic value of the original structure.

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The most significant undertaking was replicating and restoring the gingerbread eave detailing, solid wood glazed doors, transoms, trims, cornices, crowns, windows, wood louvers, and stairs.

Another significant initiative was the building of a curvy linear stone retaining wall. CSL contracted GB Masonry to complete the complicated work, which was performed expertly within a tight timeline with exceptional quality.

Mechanical and Electrical requirements including new heat pumps and related electrical systems, complete building automation system, installation of period and new light fixtures, updating A/V system and equipment, and the installation of kitchen equipment.

Landscape and Site Works included site preparation, grading, asphalt paving and decorative concrete, modifications to existing site services to convey stormwater, stone and brick masonry walls, wood and metal fencing and gates, site furnishings, planting and soft landscaping, exterior lighting, and signage.

Besides the complexity of the work, the project had a specific completion date.  All work and deficiencies had to be completed for a booked event. CSL's project manager worked closely with the owner's representative to achieve the desired completion date. 

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Objective:

In the mid-1800s, the building was used as the Guelph Town Hall, public gathering area, and market place. In the 1970s, renovations had been completed to create space for council chambers, City of Guelph offices, and the planning department. Since these renovations hid much of the heritage character of the original building, our objective was to repair, replace, and renovate the Court House to its original heritage condition while incorporating solutions to resolve major structural defects.

Execution:

Once the demolition and environmental clean-up were complete, we could see the remnants of the original beauty, as well as any major defects that needed to be resolved.

Much of the rope-like corbeling was damaged or nonexistent. The plaster rosettes and angels were broken, damaged, or removed.  The first step was taking molds of the existing plaster pieces, which were then developed into a rubber mold. Next, they installed and repaired the casted components so the plaster detail was ready for the consolidation process. The repaired plaster details were now ready for final paint and another hundred years of beauty. This method was used for all the plaster capitals, reinstating the arch, the plaster figurines, and rosettes.

The next challenge was to get a 65-foot collar tie into the truss area to support the existing structure (heavy timber trusses) and ensure proper bearing. CSL and K-W Ornamental Ironworks found a way. The solution was a significant structural steel collar tie tied back with rods.

While excavating the foundations for the addition, we uncovered a rubble stone wall that had lost its strength. The mortar had deteriorated. CSL contracted a specialized structural engineer to evaluate and design a concrete solution that sandwiched the existing wall between two new concrete walls. The solution required adding a few complex lintels requiring shores, pins, and welded steel lintels to support the stone walls.

We sourced a local tin ceiling manufacturer to supply and install the tin ceiling panels, nosings, moldings, and cornices. In the entrance stair, the walls were curved and the original windows in the curved stone cavaedium were also curved along with the glass. For this feature, we contracted another local contractor to manufacture, glaze, and install the two operating curved windows.

Since the building contains many classic heritage features, Goldsmith Borgal Architects researched classic heritage courtroom designs and provided drawings with detailed newel posts, bench rails and pickets, judge's table, prisoner's box, and stenographer's desk that replicated the different eras.

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Execution:

The building had caved in sections of the roof, broken windows, no environmental control, and no hydro – resulting in snow and ice destroying the structure. Many floors were unsafe to walk, and there was asbestos and small animal feces contaminating several areas.

The team decided that structural repairs to the roof and walls, a new roof, hoarding of windows, reconstruction of the sunroom and lobotomy roof were considered a top priority. The cleanup of the designated substances contaminating the place of work was completed first.  Once the cleanup was completed and accepted, CSL engineers designed the structural shoring to ensure the workplace would be safe.

Once the structural framing was in place, roofing, stone restoration, wood restoration, and copula restoration were completed as defined by the scope of the project.

All work was completed off sketches and prepared scope documents. Building permits were not a factor as our objective was to stabilize the building without making any changes from a code standpoint.

This project was not typical to any projects CSL has ever undertaken before. Our goal was to stabilize the structure and preserve it for future restoration. All work was completed within the time allotment and revised budget. 

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