Overview
Gow Hastings Architects is an award-winning architecture and interior design studio creating signature spatial environments.
Gow Hastings Architects creates vibrant places for learning and discovery. Since 2002, our Toronto-based studio has developed a solid reputation for the design of post-secondary, commercial, and public buildings.
We unite comprehensive, architecture, interior design and graphic design services with an agile, flexible and creative approach to realise affordable and time-conscious solutions. Our leadership maintains in-depth involvement through all stages of design and construction process. We have a proven track record of working well with clients and user groups. Projects are the result of a process rooted in inquiry, collaboration, and a constant search for new solutions to familiar problems. Our objective is to translate the unique personality and ideals of the institution into physical form, while also addressing functionality and the broader physical context. Purposeful and playful, our projects celebrate clarity of form, proportion, clean lines, refreshing materiality, and imaginative use of colour and light.
We consider our projects successful when each detail has purpose, when the overall impression reflects the spirit of the institution, and when the user is inspired by their encounter with the designed environment, ensuring the spaces we design perform and sustain over time.
Services
- Architecture
- Interior Design
- Culinary & Hospitality Design
- Environmental Graphics & Wayfinding
- Graphic Communication
- Feasibility Studies
- Master Planning
- Functional Programming
- Furniture Planning
- Prime Consulting
- Project Management
- Contract Administration
- BIM & 3D Visualisation
Clients
- Assiniboine College
- Be Relax
- Brock University
- Brookfield Institute
- Centennial College
- City of Toronto
- Cole and Partners
- Colleges Ontario
- Colliers
- Conestoga College
- Durham College
- Eitz Chaim Schools
- Fleming College
- Fire & Emergency Services Training Institute
- Garland Offices and Showroom
- George Brown College
- Georgian College
- Globe and Mail
- Granite Club
- Greater Toronto Airports Authority
- Greenwin
- Havergal College
- Heffel Gallery
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital
- Humber College
- Laurentian University
- Law Society of Ontario
- Loyalist College
- Lynx Music Inc.
- McMichael Canadian Art Collection
- Medisys Preventative Health Clinic
- Michener Institute of Education at UHN
- Mohawk College
- Niagara College
- Ontario Place
- Post Media Place
- Ryerson University
- Save the Children
- Schwarzkopf Professional ASK Academy
- Scott Mission
- Seneca College
- Signifi
- SLATE Corporate Offices
- St. Joseph's Hospital Health Centre
- Sunlife Financial Toronto
- The Linden School
- Toronto Catholic District School Board
- Toronto District School Board
- Toronto Public Libraries
- Toronto Region Conservation Authority
- Town of Aurora
- University Health Network
- University of Guelph
- Université de l'Ontario francais
- University of Toronto (Mississauga Campus)
- University of Toronto (St. George Campus)
- University of Toronto OISE (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)
- WEB Canada
- Wellpath Clinic
- York University
Awards
Conestoga College Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences & Biotechnology
- ARIDO Award - Preserve + Restore 2024
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada - Institutional 2024
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Higher Education & Research - Silver Certification 2024
- FX International Design Award - Public Sector - Finalist 2024
- SBID International Design Award - Public Space - Finalist 2024
- OGCA Builder Award for Construction Excellence - Group 2 Innovation 2024
Conestoga College School of Business A & B Wing Renovation
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Higher Education & Research - Silver Certification 2024
Conestoga College School of Hospitality & Culinary Arts
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Architecture/Higher Education - Bronze Certification 2024
- Grand Valley Construction Association Award - Building Excellence - Institutional over $20 Million 2023
- Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition 2022
- LOOP Design Award - Honourable Mention 2021
Town of Aurora Armoury Canadian Food and Wine Institute
- SBID International Design Award Finalist - Public Space Design 2021
- Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) Value of Design Award (VODA) 2021
- LIV Hospitality Design Award - Architectural Design Event Space 2020
Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus
- ARCHITECT Magazine Architecture & Interiors Award - Adaptive Reuse 2023
- ARIDO Award 2021
- Ceramics of Italy Award 2021
- 2021 Grands Prix Du Design Award - Silver Winner - Building Facade 2021
- SBID International Design Award 2020
- FX Design Award 2020
- Architecture MasterPrize - Honourable Mention 2020
Bloorview Research Institute
- PLAN Award - Finalist 2024
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Higher Education & Research - Silver Certification 2024
Seneca Polytechnic Odeyto Indigenous Centre
- Grands Prix Du Design Award - Gold Winner - Higher Education and Research Building 2021
- Wood Design & Building Award 2021
- IDA Design Award 2020
- IDC Value of Design Award 2020
- Architizer A+Awards Special Mention - Higher Education & Research Facilities 2020
- Architecture Masterprize - Educational Buildings 2019
- Toronto Urban Design Award (TUDA) 2019
Durham College W Galen Weston Centre for Food
- ARIDO Award 2015
- SBID International Design Awards 2015
- FX International Interior Design 2015
- REmmy Awards 2014
- Canadian Design-Build Awards 2014
George Brown College Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts
- OAA Award for Design Excellence 2009
- WAF Awards - Education Shortlist 2009
- ARIDO Award 2009
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2009
- Design Exchange Award, Interior Design - Commercial 2009
- IFI Best Overall Project Award 2009
- IFI Best in Leisure and Hospitality Award 2009
- Twenty + Change Exhibition of Contemporary Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design 2007
Niagara College Welland Student Commons
- IFI Design Distinction Award - Learning - Finalist 2023
- Niagara Biennial Award - Award of Excellence 2022
- Architecture MasterPrize - Interior Design - Honorable Mention 2022
- Architecture MasterPrize - Educational Buildings - Honorale Mention 2022
- ARIDO Award 2021
- Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) Value of Design Award (VODA) 2021
- Grands Prix Du Design Award - Gold Winner - University & Higher Education 2021
- Ceramics of Italy Award 2021
- SBID International Design Award 2020
- FX Design Award 2020
- LOOP Design Award 2020
Niagara College Niagara-on-the-Lake Student Commons
- Niagara Biennial Award 2020
- IIDA Global Excellence Award Finalist 2020
- IES Illumination Award 2020
- IDC Value of Design Award (VODA) 2019
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2018
- ARIDO Award 2018
- FX International Interior Design Awards 2018
Toronto Metropolitan University Paul H. Cocker Architecture Gallery
- ARIDO Award 2014
- SBID International Design Awards Finalist 2014
- Ceramics of Italy Award 2014
- Coverings Award: Tile Design Commercial 2014
University of Guelph Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
- OAA Queen's Park Pick 2020
York University Osgoode Professional Development
- FX Design Award 2021
Université de l'Ontario français Campus
- ARCHITECT Magazine Architecture & Interiors Award - Innovative Use of Materials 2023
- Architecture MasterPrize - Interiors / Public Space 2023
- IES Illumination Design Award - Interior Lighting Design 2023
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2022
- Grand Prix du Design Award 2022
- SBID International Design Award 2022
- FX International Design Award 2022
- International Design Award - Interior Design - Institutional - Silver 2022
- OGCA Builder Award 2022
University of Toronto OISE Lobby and Entrance
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Silver Winner 2023
- IDC Value of Design Award - Innovation in Institutional / Education / Civic Design 2023
- International Design Award - Interior Design - Education - Silver Winner 2023
- SBID International Design Award - Public Space - Finalist 2023
- ARIDO Award - Distinct 2022
- Graphics International Award - Silver Winner 2022
Laurentian University Student Centre
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Silver Winner 2023
- Architecture MasterPrize 2021
- Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) Value of Design Award (VODA) of Excellence 2021
- WoodWorks! Northern Ontario Design Award 2021
- Architizer A+Awards Finalist - Higher Education & Research Facilities 2021
Humber College Student Centre & Cafeteria
- Twenty + Change Exhibition of Contemporary Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design 2009
George Brown College The Chefs' House Restaurant
- OAA Award for Design Excellence 2009
- World Architect Festival Awards - Education Shortlist 2009
- ARIDO Award 2009
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2009
- Design Exchange Award, Interior Design - Commercial 2009
- IFI Best Overall Project Award 2009
- IFI Best in Leisure and Hospitality Award 2009
- Twenty + Change Exhibition of Contemporary Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design 2007
Toronto Metropolitan University Student ServiceHub
- IDC Value of Design Award - Innovation in Institutional / Educational / Civic Design 2018
- IES Illumination Awards: Energy and Environmental Lighting Design 2018
- ARIDO Award of Excellence 2017
- FX Design Awards - Public Sector Finalist 2016
- SBID International Design Awards Finalist 2016
- Ceramic Tiles of Italy Competition Honourable Mention 2016
Humber College Centre for Justice Leadership
- AJ Retrofit Awards Finalist 2013
- Zerofootprint Re-Skinning Awards 2011
- OAA Award for Design Excellence 2011
University of Toronto OISE Office of the Registrar
- Graphics International Award - Silver Winner 2022
- ARIDO Award - Distinct 2022
- Grand Prix Du Design Award - Silver Winner 2023
- IDC Value of Design Award - Innovation in Institutional / Education / Civic Design 2023
- International Design Award - Interior Design - Education - Silver Winner 2023
- SBID International Design Award - Public Space - Finalist 2023
University of Toronto Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation
- ABB LEAF Interior Design Award - Sustainability and Retrofit 2013
Toronto Metropolitan University School of Interior Design
- ARIDO Award 2010
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2009
Toronto Metropolitan University School of Performance Offices
- SBID International Design Awards Finalist 2017
- FX Design Awards Finalist 2017
Humber College Music Production & Recording Studio
- ARIDO Award 2009
- Design Exchange Award - Interior Design, Commercial 2008
ASK Academy Schwarzkopf Flagship
- SBID International Design Awards Finalist 2013
Humber College Canadian Centre of Culinary Arts & Sciences
- ARIDO Award 2010
- Twenty + Change Exhibition of Contemporary Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design 2009
TELUS Health Care Centre - Toronto Bay
- LEAF Interior Design Awards Shortlist 2013
- IIDA Healthcare Design Award 2012
- FX International Interior Design Shortlist 2012
University of Toronto McLennan Physical Laboratories
- Shaw Contract Awards Finalist 2021
Toronto Metropolitan University Library Archives & Collaboratory
- Ontario Library Association (OLA) Library Architectural and Design Transformation Award 2018
George Brown College Mixology Laboratory
- Canadian Interiors Best of Canada 2018
University of St. Michael’s College Brennan Hall and the Dodig Family COOP
- ACO Heritage Award - Peter Stokes Restoration Award: Large-Scale 2023
Press
The Spirit Garden
- City News, New Indigenous Spirit Garden taking shape at Nathan Phillips Square, Mark McAllister, September 2023
- NationTalk, City of Toronto recommits to truth and reconciliation and supports further actions to advance truth, reconciliation and justice, June 10, 2021
- CTV News, Toronto's Spirit Garden to help residential school survivors heal from trauma, Brooklyn Neustaeter, June 10, 2021
- NetNewsLedger, Toronto Moves to Take Leadership on Truth and Reconciliation, June 9, 2021
- City News, Residential school survivors soon to be honoured with Indigenous spirit garden in Toronto, Mark McAllister, June 7, 2021
- Daily Hive, Part of Nathan Phillips Square is becoming an Indigenous Spirit Garden, Laura Hanrahan, April 9, 2021
- CBC News, Indigenous Residential Schools Survivor Legacy Celebration, July 18, 2019
- CBC News, Cultural gathering at Nathan Philips Square offers chance to learn about residential schools, Rhiannon Johnson, October 9, 2018
Town of Aurora Armoury Canadian Food and Wine Institute
- Toronto Star, The Aurora Armoury — part classroom, part event space, part kitchen — brings the right ingredients to Aurora, Josh Rubin, December 30, 2019
- Education News Canada, The Armoury marks a beginning as the Canadian Food and Wine Institute at Niagara College opens to the community, November 25, 2019
- YorkRegion.Com, Residents can get a sneak peek at renovated Aurora Armoury during open house, Teresa Latchford, November 8, 2019
- YorkRegion.com, Aurora armoury to house Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Teresa Latchford, December 5, 2017
- The Auroran, Redesigned Armoury will be a blend of historic and new, Brock Weir, June 14, 2018
Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus
- ARCHITECT Magazine, Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus, September 2019
- Archello, Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus, September 2019
- Arquine, Edificio del Ala A de Fleming College, October 2019
- Canadian Architect, Fleming College A-Wing, Sutherland Campus, Peterborough, Ontario, Elsa Lam, October 2019
- Education Snapshots, Fleming College - A-Wing Building, July 2020
Bloorview Research Institute
- Toronto.com, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital to begin final phase of expansion, Andrew Palamarchuk, May 12, 2021
- Eminetra Canada, Kids Research Institute begins expansion, May 12, 2021
- On Site Magazine, Buttcon to start work on $32M expansion to Toronto children’s rehabilitation hospital, May 14, 2021
- Daily Commercial News, Rehabilitation hospital for kids to begin construction on connection to research institute, May 14, 2021
- Canadian Consulting Engineer, Work begins on expansion to Toronto children’s rehabilitation hospital, May 17, 2021
- Link2Build, Buttcon starts work on hospital expansion, May 18, 2021
- Ontario Construction News, Buttcon Ltd. starting work on $32 million expansion at Toronto children’s rehabilitation hospital, Robin MacLennan, May 19, 2021
- Daily Commercial News, Research institute renovation and expansion designed to encourage greater collaboration, Angela Gismondi, June 9, 2021
- Toronto Star, North York rehab hospital expansion will have 'tremendous impact' on childhood disability research, Andrew Palamarchuk, June 2, 2021
Seneca Polytechnic Odeyto Indigenous Centre
- toronto.com, Seneca College's Indigenous Centre Wins Toronto Urban Design Award, September 13, 2019
- Toronto Star, Purpose-built Indigenous centre buoying the slow paddle towards reconciliation at Seneca College, Jason Miller, March 2, 2019
- Azure, The 10 Best Canadian Architecture Projects of 2018, December 21, 2018
- Construction Canada, Indigenous Culture Influences Design of New Campus Hub, October 2018
- Canadian Architect, Gow Hastings and Two Row Architect unveil Seneca's Odeyto Indigenous Centre, September 2018
- Seneca College, New Indigenous Centre Opens at Seneca, September 2018
- Great Lakes by Design, Odeyto, R. Collins, January 14, 2021
Durham College W Galen Weston Centre for Food
- AZURE, From Field to Fork, A Culinary School That Satisfies, Elizabeth Pagliacolo, October 2015
- AWARD, Architecture, Design, Construction, Durham College Centre for Food, Yvan Marston, February 2014
George Brown College Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts
- Toronto Star, George Brown cooking school fit for future celebrity chefs, Christopher Hume, August 2012
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
- Image Interiors, Chef Special, March-April 2010
- "Folio" Hinge Magazine, March 2010
- Designlines Toronto, On the House, Natalia Williams, 2009
- Building Strategies Magazine, George Brown Chef School, Dan O’Reilly, Winter 2009
- Canadian Kitchen & Bath, Splash Volume 5, No. 3, 2009
- Identity Magazine, Educated Palette, July 2009
- Plan Magazine, Come Dine With Me, June-July 2009
- AZURE, Open Kitchen, Alex Bozikovic, June 2009
- Toronto Star, Architecture Worth Savouring, Christopher Hume, February 2009
- Globe and Mail, Yes, chef, yes! George Brown unveils its hospitality jewel, Sasha Chapman, November 2008
- Daily Commercial News, George Brown Whips Up Innovative Showcase for Culinary Education, Patricia Williams, December 2007
Niagara College Welland Student Commons
- Arquine, Centro de Estudiantes del Campus Welland, Niagara College, November 2020
- Education Snapshots, Niagara College – Welland Student Commons, September 2020
- Interior Design, Gow Hastings Architects Creates Contemporary Student Hub for Niagara College in Canada, Carlene Olsen, October 2020
Humber College Student Centre & Cafeteria
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
- Riverside Architectural Press, Twenty + Change 01: Emerging Toronto Design Practices, Heather Dubbeldam and Lola Sheppard, eds, 2009
George Brown College The Chefs' House Restaurant
- Toronto Star, George Brown cooking school fit for future celebrity chefs, Christopher Hume, August 2012
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
- Image Interiors, Chef Special, March-April 2010
- "Folio" Hinge Magazine, March 2010
- Designlines Toronto, On the House, Natalia Williams, 2009
- Building Strategies Magazine, George Brown Chef School, Dan O’Reilly, Winter 2009
- Canadian Kitchen & Bath, Splash, Fall 2009
- Identity Magazine, Educated Palette, July 2009
- Plan Magazine, Come Dine With Me, June-July 2009
- AZURE, Open Kitchen, Alex Bozikovic, June 2009
- Toronto Star, Architecture Worth Savouring, Christopher Hume, February 2009
- Globe and Mail, Yes, chef, yes! George Brown unveils its hospitality jewel, Sasha Chapman, November 2008
- Daily Commercial News, George Brown Whips Up Innovative Showcase for Culinary Education, Patricia Williams, December 2007
Toronto Metropolitan University Student ServiceHub
- AZURE, Gow Hastings’ Revitalized Ryerson Student Hub, David Dick-Agnew, January 2017
- ID+C Magazine, One-Stop Campus Services – Ryerson University Student ServiceHub in Toronto, November 2016
- Canadian Architect, Aiming Higher, Ryerson ServiceHub, Pamela Young, October 2016
- Canadian Facility Management & Design (CFM&D), Gow Hastings Architects give a 1970s-era space a modern remake at Ryerson University, Michelle Ervin, July 2016
- Ceramics of Italy, Back to the Future, Alfredo Zappa, December 2017
- Archello, Ryerson University Student ServiceHub, July 2016
Humber College Centre for Justice Leadership
- Globe and Mail, Don’t knock down that 50-year-old Building; Re-skin It, Grant Buckler, March 2012
- De Architect, Humber Centre for Justice Leadership, Will Jones, February 2011
- Antennae, Identity, Under the Microscope, Steve Hill, January 2011
- Plan Technical, CSI: Toronto, Valerie Gow, June-July 2010
- Toronto Star, Sleuth School Solves Mystery of Revitalizing Etobicoke, Christopher Hume, November 2010
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
- Daily Commercial News, From Car Dealer to Crime Lab: Conversion at Humber, Patricia Williams, July 2009
- Spacing Toronto, NO MEAN CITY: Tour, Centre for Justice Leadership, Alex Bozikovic, October 2011
Toronto Metropolitan University School of Interior Design
- AZURE, Higher Learning, December 2012
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
Humber College Music Production & Recording Studio
- AZURE Magazine, Beat Box, Alex Bozikovic, September 2008
- 1000 x Architecture of the Americas, Music Production Facility and Recording Studio, Humber College, Verlagshaus-Braun, 2008
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
Humber College Centre for Trades & Technology
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
Humber College Centre for Creative & Performing Arts
ASK Academy Schwarzkopf Flagship
- vmsd, Urban Highlights, Steve Kaufman, February 2013
- FX International Design Awards Book of Winners, Ask Academy, Schwarzkopf Professional by Gow Hastings, Theresa Dowling, 2012
- AZURE Blog, Fringe Benefits, David Dick-Agnew, October 2012
- World Interiors News, Schwarzkopf ASK Academy, November 2012
Humber College Canadian Centre of Culinary Arts & Sciences
- Canadian Interiors, Class Act: Top Marks to Gow Hastings Architects for a Plethora of Toronto School Projects, John Bentley Mays, May-June 2010
- Riverside Architectural Press, Twenty + Change 02: Emerging Toronto Design Practices, Heather Dubbeldam and Lola Sheppard, 2009
- Ofersop Communication, Ontario’s Architecture Edition. Architecture I Design I 01, 2009
- Mississauga News, Build It and They Will Come… The Futuristic Canadian Centre of Culinary Arts & Science Opens its Doors, Maureen Scott, December 2008
- Humber Et Cetera, State of the Culinary Arts, Agata Waliczek, October 2005
- Canadian Architect, Kick it Up a notch!, Ian Chodikoff, September 2005
TELUS Health Care Centre - Toronto Bay
- Daily Commercial News, Gow Hastings Recognized for Medical Clinic, Patricia Williams, September 2012
- Design Is, Shaw Contract Group, Uplifting Practice: Design is Wellbeing, 2012
University of Toronto Medical Sciences Student Lounge
University of Toronto McLennan Physical Laboratories
Toronto Metropolitan University Library Archives & Collaboratory
- Canadian Architect, Recipients announced for OLA Library Architectural and Design Transformation Award, July 12, 2018
- Building, Ontario awards celebrate best in new library design, July 16, 2018