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Aurora Armoury Canadian Food & Wine Institute

By : Gow Hastings Architects

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Other categories in architecture / Continuing Value : Gold Certification

Constructed for the Department of National Defence in 1874, the Aurora Armoury is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building and one of the oldest purpose-built armouries in Ontario, originally used for drills, meetings, and military parades across the surrounding Town Park. The building played a vital role in the post-Confederation era, as a defence training facility for citizen soldiers.

The Town of Aurora partnered with Niagara College to reimagine the Armoury as a vibrant culinary and community hub, conserving the landmark building for continued use. The challenge was to provide modern teaching and event space, while embracing the Armoury’s architectural heritage and prominent location at the edge of the Town Park.

The renovation restores the simple and recognizable volumes of the drill hall, characterized by its wood frame design and large trussed volume. Newly revealed hemlock rafters—discovered after the removal of a dropped drywall ceiling—are illuminated with soft and strategically placed uplighting, including custom-designed L and arrow-shaped LED fixtures. The exposed post-and-beam structure establishes the greatest volume over the central event area—situated within the footprint of the former drill hall—which can host up to 200 guests with the support of an interactive demonstration kitchen. The backdrop for the shiny and modern demonstration kitchen is a supergraphic collage of archival photos, carefully arranged to tell the story of the Armoury.

A hydraulic dual panel door system forges a 48-foot wide, full-height opening onto the Town Park, allowing the event space to uniquely service park goers. Folding into an awning, the doors maintain an indoor-outdoor connection that positions the Armoury as a public amenity that is integral to the park. Fresh exterior cladding of Accoya—a sustainably harvested pine species—takes inspiration from the Armoury’s board and batten origins. With time the bright new boards will silver, giving the exterior an appropriately aged appearance.

A modest addition locates the commercial event kitchen to the south of the building, minimizing impact on the heritage structure. The state-of-the-art kitchen, framed with full-length glazing to showcase the activity inside, can accommodate anywhere from two to 24 people along a 10-foot-wide chef’s table. The kitchen was designed to emphasize interaction amongst chefs and learners, with interactive video monitors that project hands-on cooking demonstration and put the activity of the chef front and centre.

The transformation of the Armoury emphasizes a commitment to balancing old and new, while honouring civic tradition with a reimagined community use. The end result is a timeless and contemporary solution that will allow the community to enjoy the Armoury for years to come.

Collaboration

Architect : Gow Hastings Architects

Interior Designer : Gow Hastings Architects

Engineering : ENSO Systems

Engineering : Stephenson Engineering

Engineering : Counterpoint Engineering

Other : ERA Architects

Landscape Architecture : PMA Landscape Architects

Other : RWDI

Other : A.W. Hooker

Lighting : Sistemalux

General Contractor : Orion Construction & Management