Idea Exchange Old Post Office

Cambridge, Ontario

This adaptive re-use project transforms a listed heritage structure in downtown Galt to accommodate a progressive 'bookless' library, comprised almost exclusively of public studio spaces for creation combined with a restaurant and event space. The design renovates and restores the existing post office building and adds a transparent pavilion floating above the Grand River. View planes, civic axes and material transparency are used to promote views of the historic structure, strengthen relationships to other civic amenities, and display this exciting program to the downtown community.

Team: Principal & Design Director Tyler Sharp, Bob Goyeche, Juan Caballero, Ivan Ilic, Simon Routh.

2024 AIA International Honor Award

2024 AIA International Sustainable Future Award

2022 Governor General’s Medal for Architecture

2022 American Library Association/IIDA Award of Excellence

2020 Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award

2020 Architecture Masterprize Award of Excellence

2020 OAA Design Excellence Award Finalist

2019 National Trust for Canada Award Recipient

2019 CAHP Award of Merit

2019 Azure AZ Award for Design Excellence

2019 Azure AZ People’s Choice Award

2019 Architizer A+ Awards Finalist

2019 The Plan Awards Finalist

2018 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence

2018 Architecture MasterPrize Award Recipient 

2016 Architectural Review MIPIM Future Project Awards Commendation