BARRISTON

BARRISTON

Located across the street from the historic, textured grey limestone clad Simcoe County Courthouse of 1842 (Barrie Courthouse), is the new home for Barriston Law. This low, two- storey, contemporary office building, placed within the context of historic brick houses on either side, is a bold intervention. Cantilevering out over the sidewalk from the corner of Mulcaster and McDonald Streets, the building’s roof dramatically juts out over Mulcaster Street, announcing its presence to all those passing by.

Clad in the same limestone as the Simcoe County Courthouse, this honed finished building immediately distinguishes itself from its historic brick neighbours through a juxtaposition of materials, while making a direct and obvious connection to the courthouse across the street. By introducing a series of black architectural elements (fascia, columns, windows and mechanical roof screens), the seriousness of the legal work practiced within is made abundantly clear. To counterbalance the stresses associated with litigation, the colour yellow (a hopeful, positive colour) has been strategically introduced throughout the building. Pops of yellow can be found in the building’s exterior soffit skylight frames, bright yellow flowers in the brushed stainless parking deck screens and on interior demising walls.

The building also offers two different exterior terraces to be used by both clients and staff alike. On the north side are a series of small exterior terraces located adjacent to meeting rooms, where clients can step away from the legal process, go outside and take a breath of fresh air to de-stress. On the south side, a large exterior terrace can be used by staff for meetings, outdoor dining or to decompress from the pressures of long arduous workdays.

The entire building sits on two storeys of underground parking, which front onto neighbouring backyards. Clad with horizontal brushed stainless steel planter boxes (south and west) these facades take advantage of the best sunlight for growing flowers, while simultaneously screening the parked cars within. Besides being visually pleasing, the yellow flowers add an environmentally conscious element, as they naturally give off oxygen. As well, their textural beauty simply makes for a wonderful backdrop to neighbouring backyards.

LOCATION: Barrie, Ontario

ARCHITECT: LINEVISION Architects + Salter Pilon Architects

DESIGN LEADERSHIP: Michael Poitras,
Principal-in-Charge of Design

DESIGN COMPETITION: Second Place

CLIENT: Barriston Law LLP

STATISTICS:

  • No. of storeys: 2 + 2 below grade
  • Total area:
    16,000 ft2 (1,486 m2)
  • Below grade parking: 109 stalls 
    (including 3 barrier-free)

MATERIALS:

  • Honed limestone (grey)
  • Black zinc fascias
  • Black curtain wall windows & doors + horizontal maple wood battens set between the glass
  • Brushed stainless steel planter boxes
  • Painted soffits (white & yellow)
  • Poured in-place concrete terraces
  • Composite wood deck terraces (grey)
  • Black pre-finished metal rooftop equipment screens
  • Outdoor landscaping

GENERAL PROGRAM:

  • Reception area
  • Offices (partners + senior staff)
  • Open concept offices (staff)
  • Boardrooms
  • Copy room, print room & mail room
  • Washrooms
  • Outdoor terraces next to boardrooms (for client use)
  • Outdoor terrace (for staff use)

COST: Withheld

COMPLETION: Project