Queen's University’s Mitchell Hall won the 2020 Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) Award of Merit in the Conservation - Engineering category.

Mitchell Hall, also referred to as ‘Bew’s Gymnasium’, was the first building north of Union Street on the historic Queen's University Campus in Kingston. This original 1930s limestone building has been incorporated into the newly constructed state-of-the-art Innovation/ Student Wellness Centre. The original building is a steel structure, clad with a multi wythe masonry exterior wall composed primarily of local Kingston Limestone.

The project included restoration of the mass masonry exterior walls, off-site restoration of period wooden windows/doors, installation of new curtain wall glazing assemblies, and the wholesale removal and replacement of the slate bell curve roofing assembly. The design team took great measures to ensure the conservation work was completed in conformance with the ‘Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada’.

The CAHP Awards celebrate preservation, restoration and conservation work in areas including archeology, architecture, engineering, craftsmanship, education and planning. RJC’s Michael Park and John Adams were in virtual attendance at this year’s awards ceremony.