About Us

We are a professional architecture firm based in Toronto. Our focus includes adaptive re-use, renovations, feasibility studies, preservation, and heritage buildings.

GBCA (Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. Architects) is a full-service architecture firm specializing in adaptive reuse, restoration, rehabilitation, technical consulting, and heritage consulting. Based in Toronto, our architecture firm serves clients across Toronto, Hamilton, and Southern Ontario, transforming existing buildings through thoughtful, sustainable architectural solutions.

As one of Canada’s most experienced architecture firms, GBCA provides heritage impact assessments, conservation reports, architectural feasibility studies, construction documentation, building envelope consulting, and a full range of architectural services. Our architecture firm works as both a prime consultant and collaborative partner, delivering innovative solutions for adaptive reuse, restoration, and complex building renewal projects.

Led by Christopher Borgal (President) and Robert Brough (Vice-President), our architecture firm is supported by experienced architects, designers, technologists, and conservation specialists dedicated to preserving the past while creating spaces for the future. Explore our award-winning projects, meet our team, and discover why clients continue to trust GBCA.

Honours & Awards

2023
Award of Excellence
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Award of Merit: Materials, Craftsmanship and Construction
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Mackenzie Hall – Windsor, ON
Built Heritage Award
City of Windsor
Mackenzie Hall – Windsor, ON
Built Heritage: Crafts and Trades
Heritage Toronto
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Special Jury Award
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
2022
Award of Excellence
Toronto Urban Design Award
Montcrest School, Broadview Avenue – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence for Conservation
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
John Muir Branch – Windsor Public Library – Windsor, ON
Award of Merit
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Silver Dollar Room – Toronto, ON
Peggy Kurtin Award for Excellence in Restoration
Cabbagetown Preservation Association
The Winchester Hotel, 531 Parliament Street – Toronto, ON
2021
Built Heritage Award
City of Windsor
Willistead Manor Restoration – Windsor, ON
2020
National Award
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Cultural Heritage Landscapes Inventory for the City of Kitchener (with Landplan Collaborative Ltd.) – Kitchener, ON
2016
Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Award
Heritage Canada
Market Street Development – Toronto, ON
Honourable Mention
Heritage Toronto
Artscape Youngplace Shaw Street – Toronto, ON
Toronto Urban Design Award
Market Street Development – Toronto, ON
2015
Award of Excellence
Heritage Toronto
Market Street Redevelopment – Toronto, ON
Ontario Masonry Design Award
Bay Adelaide Centre – Toronto, ON
2014
Award of Excellence
Brampton Urban Design Awards
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
Award of Merit for Rehabilitation
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Canadian Northern Railway Locomotive Shop – Toronto, ON
Award of Merit for Rehabilitation
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
James Cooper Mansion – Toronto, ON
Best Central Area Project
Brampton Urban Design Awards
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
People’s Choice Award
Brampton Urban Design Awards
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
2013
Award of Merit
Heritage Toronto
James Cooper Mansion, Sherbourne Street – Toronto, ON
Honourable Mention for Outstanding Achievement
Pug Awards
James Cooper Mansion, Sherbourne Street – Toronto, ON
Paul Oberman Award for Outstanding Achievement
Pug Awards
Shops of Summerhill (1095-1103 Yonge Street) – Toronto, ON
2012
Award for Craftsmanship
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Restoration of Birks Clock – Hamilton, ON
Award for Preservation of a Heritage Building
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Toronto’s Seventh Post Office, 10 Toronto Street – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence
Heritage Toronto
Toronto’s Seventh Post Office, 10 Toronto Street – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence
Toronto Urban Design Awards
Shops of Summerhill, 1099 Yonge Street – Toronto, ON
Award of Merit
Heritage Toronto
Shops of Summerhill – 1099 Yonge Street – Toronto, ON
Guelph and Wellington Branch Heritage Awards
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
Former Guelph City Hall – Provincial Offences Court – Guelph, Ontario
Honourable Mention
Heritage Toronto
Pease Foundry Building, 211 Laird Drive – Toronto, ON
Peter Stokes Restoration Award
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
Guelph Provincial Offences Court Renovations – Guelph, ON
2011
Design of Excellence Award
OAA
Maitland Residence – National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
2010
Award of Merit
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Maitland Residence – National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
2009
Certificate of Merit: Restoration
City of Ottawa Conservation Award
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church – Ottawa, ON
Governor General’s Medal in Architecture
The Canada Council for the Arts and The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete – Toronto, ON
2008
Honourable Mention: Urban Design
Award for Planning Excellence – Canadian Institute of Planners
Parlimentary and Judicial Precincts Area Site, Capacity and Long Term Development Plan For PWGSC Parliament Precint Directories – Ottawa, ON
Institute Honour Award
The American Institute of Architects
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete – Toronto, ON
2007
Architectural Award of Excellence
Ontario Association of Architects
Canada’s National Ballet School – Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence, Commercial
Heritage Toronto
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
Best Design Commercial/Institutional
Pugly Awards City of Toronto
Canada’s National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
Best of Canada Design Competition
Canadian Interiors
Canada’s National Ballet School – Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
2006
Award of Merit, Restoration
City of Toronto
Miller Tavern – Toronto, ON
Best of the Best Award
Toronto Construction Association
National Ballet School of Canada Expansion – Toronto, ON
2005
Architectural Award of Excellence
Ontario Association of Architects
Restoration of North Toronto Train Station / LCBO Summerhill Store – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence, Commercial
Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
Summerhill LCBO Interior (North Toronto Station) – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence, Commercial
Heritage Toronto
Restoration / Adaptive Reuse, North Toronto Station – Toronto, ON
Outstanding Merit, Food Retailer
nasfm – Retail Detail Design Awards
LCBO/Summerhill Flagship Store (North Toronto Station) – Toronto, ON
2004
Best of the Best Award
Toronto Construction Association
Project Achievement – Medium – North Toronto Station – Toronto, ON
2003
Citation – In collaboration with The Landplan Collaborative Ltd
The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Paletta Lakefront Park – Burlington, ON
2002
Heritage Awards
City of Burlington, Heritage Burlington LACAC
McNichol (Paletta) Mansion Barn – Burlington, ON
2001
Urban Design Award
City of Toronto
Toronto Brickworks – Adaptive Re-use of Buildings and Park Development – Don Valley (Toronto), ON

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