Architecture Highlights
Places to gather. Designed to endure.
CNA brings design ambition, technical rigour and direct principal oversight to new public buildings, major renovations, additions and coordinated renewal programs. Our in-house team connects the needs of communities with the realities of delivering and operating public facilities.
Sport, Recreation & Community
We shape pools, arenas, training facilities and community centres around the people who play, practise, gather and work there. Accessible circulation, adaptable spaces, clear connections and coordinated building systems support everyday use and changing programs. Our experience includes Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 2026 venue-specific training sites at Centennial Park. The same attention to use and long-term value informs our work in education, public housing and public-service workplaces.
Sustainable Design & Long-Term Performance
We establish environmental priorities early, connecting net-zero planning and low-carbon strategies with the client’s budget and operating goals. Design decisions consider building orientation, daylight, envelope performance, material selection, water efficiency and opportunities to retain and adapt existing buildings. We balance initial investment with durability, maintainability and long-term value, while considering climate resilience and applicable Toronto Green Standard provisions.
Constructability & Budget Planning
Early coordination turns design intent into a practical path to delivery. We review existing conditions, coordinate architectural and engineering systems, and consider construction sequencing, access and continued facility use. Working with clients and the project’s cost-planning team, we compare design options and material alternatives as the scope develops. Value engineering protects essential performance, accessibility and design quality. Coordinated tender documentation and construction administration carry that intent through delivery, with attention to applicable Ontario Building Code provisions and municipal requirements.
Special Projects Highlights
Renewing the places communities depend on.
Existing buildings demand careful decisions. CNA provides focused architectural services for state-of-good-repair programs, emergency response, interior fit-outs and accessibility improvements. We connect condition, use and constructability to a clear scope of work, with attention to phasing and continuity of public services.
Emergency Architectural Response
We assess affected spaces and coordinate repair design after water damage, fire damage or unexpected building failures. Our work helps clients prioritize investigations, plan phased recovery and consider resilience improvements, with construction administration supporting the repair process.
For arenas and facilities with regulated equipment, we coordinate the architectural work with specialist consultants and the relevant authority requirements, including the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) and applicable CSA B52 Mechanical Refrigeration Code provisions. Each assignment receives the technical attention and direct principal oversight it needs.
Feasibility Studies, Assessments & Engagement Highlights
Listen carefully. Understand the possibilities. Plan with purpose.
CNA helps public-sector clients connect the condition of their facilities, the needs of their communities and the possibilities for future investment. Our in-house team brings feasibility studies, building condition assessments, accessibility reports, and public and Indigenous engagement into a coordinated planning process, with direct principal oversight.
Feasibility Studies & Building Assessments
We examine existing conditions, program needs and development options to help clients establish a practical direction. Our studies connect opportunities and constraints with scope, budget considerations, phasing and priorities for renewal. Building condition assessments and accessibility reports help identify deficiencies, barriers and the next steps for informed capital planning.
Public Engagement
Good planning begins with understanding the people a facility serves. We create opportunities for users, operators and community members to share their experience and priorities. Clear information and accessible participation help people understand the options. We document what we hear and show how those perspectives inform facility programs, design choices and recommendations.
Indigenous Engagement
We approach engagement with a commitment to listening, learning and respect for the distinct histories, cultures and priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Working with clients and the relevant communities, we seek early dialogue and an approach shaped by community protocols, preferred ways of participating and the time needed to build understanding. Knowledge and perspectives shared for the project can inform planning and design, with respect for how communities wish that information to be used. Our aim is meaningful participation and relationships that develop beyond a single meeting.
Accessibility & Informed Decisions
Reviews consider applicable OBC provisions, AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards and the client’s municipal criteria, including Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines and Mississauga or London Facility Accessibility Design Standards, where relevant. We bring technical findings and community perspectives together in clear, actionable recommendations.
