To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed.
system,” he said. “Essentially that means lawyers have
the capability to use any known video support material,
which supports the ministry’s spirit of providing optimal
services for every person’s right to a fair trial.”
All of the systems needed to be tested for consistent
quality sound with a 100-hour burn-in phase. “If some-
thing is going to fail it will generally happen in the first 70
to 100 hours so we let it settle and then retest to make
sure everything is still functioning as it should,” Lewis
said. “Everything we installed is state-of-the-art but each
component was designed as the technical solution for a
particular situation. Every capability meets a judicial need
so it is all very efficient.”
Lewis says in this case the heritage courtroom posed
unique challenges. “We had to integrate the same tech-
nology into this courtroom but into the existing furniture
and walls instead of using purpose-built furniture as in
the case of the other courtrooms.”
He says connectivity has been integrated into a newly
constructed wall that resembles the original woodwork.
The millwork contractor also drilled up and through exist-
ing spindles where possible to hide wiring. Lewis says
this kind of solution, part of collaboration in which con-
sideration is given to each consultant or subtrade and
their particular area of expertise, is the only way such
projects succeed.
Now that the courthouse has opened Sight N Sound
Design’s role changes, but the audio-visual experts will
remain on site, reflecting the ongoing commitments in
P3 projects. “We’ll do training with all of the staff and
more extensive training with key people,” says Lewis.
“We will also take on a role of technical support to facili-
ties management. If they don’t know how to do some-
thing, need more training or experience a problem, we
will be there for the next 30 years to lend our support.”
Lewis says his company has learned a lot about the ju-
dicial process and system through their work on these
courthouse projects spanning more than a quarter of a
century. Sight N Sound continues to observe the needs
and changes that occur over time, will take away lessons
learned, and gain an even greater understanding of this
kind of project.
Clusiau says this is first heritage renovation and addi-
tion courthouse delivered through the Infrastructure On-
tario PPP process.
“This process has been used primarily for new build-
ings and is the primary funding mechanism for such large
projects. It is a significant milestone that this project was
able to be successfully delivered through this method
and hopefully will encourage other projects of this type
that retain valuable components of Ontario's built her-
itage.” Keith Bantock, BA MAC
Fine Art Conservator
Art Conservation Services Inc.
421 Ridout St. N.
London ON N6A 5H4 Canada
t: 519-472-4138 t: 800-667-6048
www.artconservationservices.com artconserv@bellnet.ca
Art Conservation Services Inc.
is proud to have restored the
paintings at the new courthouse.
Above: detail of the coat of arms for the main courtroom during treatment.
The Canadian Design and Construction Report — Summer 2014 – 35