View source for Jack Diamond (architect)

{{Short description|Canadian architect (1932–2022)}}
{{other people||Jack Diamond (disambiguation){{!}}Jack Diamond}}
{{Infobox architect
| name = Jack Diamond
| image = 
| image_size = <!-- if image is smaller than 250px -->
| birth_name = Abel Joseph Diamond
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1932|11|08}}
| birth_place = [[Piet Retief (town)|Piet Retief]], South Africa
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|10|30|1932|11|08}}
| death_place = [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada
| nationality = 
| alma_mater = [[University of Cape Town]]<br>[[University College, Oxford]]<br>[[University of Pennsylvania]]
| occupation = 
| influences = 
| influenced = 
| practice = 
| significant_buildings = 
| significant_projects = 
| significant_design = 
| awards = [[Order of Canada]]<br>[[Order of Ontario]]
}}

'''Abel Joseph "Jack" Diamond''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|OC|OOnt}} (November 8, 1932 – October 30, 2022) was a South African-born Canadian architect. Diamond arrived in Canada in 1964 for the University of Toronto. In 1974, he established his architectural practice, A.J. Diamond Architects. This practice evolved into [[Diamond Schmitt Architects]].<ref name="TCE">{{Cite encyclopedia |last1=Polo |first1=Marco |first2=Paul |last2=French |title=Jack Diamond |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |date=30 August 2016 |publisher=[[Historica Canada]] |edition=online |url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/abel-joseph-diamond}}</ref>

== Personal life and education ==
Jack Diamond was born on November 8, 1932, in [[Piet Retief (town)|Piet Retief]], [[South Africa]],<ref name="TCE"/> and he belongs to a [[Jew]]ish  family.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/home-and-garden/architecture/british-holocaust-memorial/article34238719/|title=For U.K.'s Holocaust memorial, a Canadian architect envisions light in a personal darkness|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref> Diamond's great-grandfather was a rabbi in London, England. In 1917, Diamond's grandfather died in a pogrom in Lithuania. Diamond's father, Jacob Diamond, migrated to South Africa before the Second World War.<ref name=":1" />

Diamond's mother had kept a house plan that Diamond drew when he was four. His love of architecture began at a young age. To Diamond, buildings have been a unique way of playing house. Diamond has a passion for various forms of art; painting, sketching, and music.<ref name="Alberge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ed71490c-cc94-11e8-8d0b-a6539b949662|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221211181240/https://www.ft.com/content/ed71490c-cc94-11e8-8d0b-a6539b949662|archive-date=2022-12-11|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|title=Jack Diamond: the architect behind the transformation of Marlborough College's Memorial Hall|last=Alberge|first=Dalya|date=2018-11-30|website=www.ft.com|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref>

Diamond had a love of watercolor paintings and sketches. His house was decorated with cities and landscapes paintings from throughout his career. His sketches are published in a book by [[Douglas & McIntyre]], called ''Sketches: From Here and There''. The book consists of many sketches that resemble his very own sketch book.<ref name=":32">{{Cite web|url=https://nuvomagazine.com/magazine/spring-2011/architect-jack-diamond|title=Architect Jack Diamond|website=NUVO|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref>

In 1956, Diamond received a [[Bachelor of Architecture]] from [[University of Cape Town]]. He subsequently studied philosophy, Politics and Economics at [[University College, Oxford]], graduating in 1958. Diamond received his Masters of Architecture at [[University of Pennsylvania]]  in 1962.<ref name="TCE"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Profile: Jack Diamond - University College Oxford Univ Oxford|url=https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/news/profile-jack-diamond/|access-date=2020-11-19|website=University College Oxford|language=en-GB}}</ref> It was at Oxford University where Diamond met his wife, Gillian.<ref name="Alberge"/> In Philadelphia, Diamond worked with the reputable architect, [[Louis Kahn]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2014/10/17/a_drink_with_architect_jack_diamond.html|title=A drink with architect Jack Diamond|date=2014-10-17|website=thestar.com|language=en|access-date=2020-04-04}}</ref> In 1964, Diamond moved to Canada and became the director of the Architecture Program at [[University of Toronto]].<ref name="TCE"/>

In 1995, Diamond was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-5212|title=Mr. Abel Joseph Diamond|work=Order of Canada|access-date=2022-09-04}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/people/a-j-diamond/|title=A.J. Diamond|date=2019-02-07|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> and he was awarded the [[Order of Ontario]] in 1997.<ref>[http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours/orderofontario/appointees.shtml Order of Ontario Appointees] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628230027/http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours/orderofontario/appointees.shtml|date=2009-06-28}}</ref><ref name=":4" />

Diamond served as a member of the Ontario Human Rights Commission from 1986 to 1989, as Chairman of the Design Advisory Committee for the National Capital, Ottawa, and as a Commissioner of the Greater Toronto Area Task Force.<ref name="TCE"/>

Diamond died at his Toronto home on October 30, 2022, at the age of 89.<ref>{{cite web |title=A.J. Diamond, OC, OOnt – 1932–2022 |url=https://dsai.ca/news/a-j-diamond-oc-oont-1932-2022/ |website=Diamond Schmitt |access-date=7 November 2022 |date=1 November 2022}}</ref>

== Career and design approach ==
Diamond began his career in architecture in 1968,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cip-icu.ca/About/College-of-Fellows/Recipients/A-J-Jack-Diamond-FCIP-RPP|title=A.J (Jack) Diamond FCIP, RPP|last=|first=|date=|website=Canadian Institute of Planners|access-date=2020-04-04|archive-date=2020-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406160315/https://www.cip-icu.ca/About/College-of-Fellows/Recipients/A-J-Jack-Diamond-FCIP-RPP|url-status=dead}}</ref> shortly after he joined [[University of Toronto]].<ref name="TCE"/> He stayed with the University of Toronto until 1970.

In 1970, Diamond persuaded people in Toronto to consider heritage preservation of an old ceramics manufacturing plant. At the time, the idea of preserving an old warehouse was a bizarre concept. Diamond had borrowed money and renovated the building and lived in one of the floors. The project was successful and other individuals showed interest. The old warehouse went under renovation and was later sold to [[Ed Mirvish]]. Diamond is a known pioneer in Toronto's heritage restoration.<ref name=":22"/>

In 1975, Diamond established his practice A.J. Diamond Architects. In 1978, he formed a partnership with Donald Schmitt and Company and the practice evolved into [[Diamond and Schmitt Architects]] employing over 120 <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/careers-leadership/the-house-that-jack-diamond-built/article11709725/|title=The house that Jack Diamond built|access-date=2020-04-06}}</ref> staff. Diamond Schmitt Architects have designed academic, cultural, commercial, healthcare, civic and residential buildings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/projects/|title=Projects|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> Their approach to architecture revolves around human activity. They challenge design in hopes of creating spaces that create a better way of living by using creative design strategies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/studio/approach/|title=Our Approach|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref><ref name=":32"/>

== Notable projects ==

=== Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts ===
The [[Four Seasons Centre|Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts]] opened in 2006. It is home to the [[Canadian Opera Company]] and the [[National Ballet of Canada]]. The Performing Arts Centre design keeps the city noise of Toronto out.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/projects/four-seasons-centre-for-the-performing-arts/|title=Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts|date=2019-05-31|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Competition ===
The United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial was an international design competition held in 2017. Diamond Schmitt's entry was among the finalists, although it was ultimately not selected. Located in Victoria Tower Gardens, the entrance of the Memorial is a ramp that circles around the middle. The cast-iron walls are a darker material, a reminder of the events that took place in the Holocaust. The sunken middle opens up to the sky to bring lightness into the memorial and contrast to the darker walls. The middle of the Memorial is the 'Court of Conscience'. The recitation of the names of the victims are the only sounds heard within the quiet memorial.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/projects/united-kingdom-holocaust-memorial-competition/|title=United Kingdom Holocaust Memorial Competition|date=2019-06-18|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>

=== Mariinsky II ===
The Mariinsky II opened in 2013 in St. Petersburg, Russia. This theater was one of the first major Russia opera houses to be constructed in over a century. Acoustic quality and the experience of a performance were two main goals when designing the Mariinsky II. The main auditorium of the theater is clad in Onyx. The warm glow from the Onyx can be seen at street level outside. The warm glow is considered to be the artistic spirit from art institutions in Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dsai.ca/projects/mariinsky-ii/|title=Mariinsky II|date=2019-02-07|website=Diamond Schmitt|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref> The backstage is designed to allow for 5 stages to be worked on simultaneously, making it easier for crews working on productions. The theater is a symbolism of the power art has within Russia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mariinsky.ru/en/about/history/mariinsky_ii/|title=MARIINSKY II|website=www.mariinsky.ru|access-date=2020-04-05}}</ref>&nbsp; &nbsp;

==Other projects ==
* 1978: [[Citadel Theatre]], Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
* 1981: Central YMCA Toronto
* 1981: Village Terraces, 260 Heath Street West, Toronto
* 1986: Arcadia Artists Co-Operative, Toronto  
* 1986: Newcastle Town Hall
* 1988: [[Jerusalem City Hall]], Israel<ref>"Jerusalem City Hall Square." Canadian Architect 35(7), July 1990: 18-23.</ref>
* 1988: [[York University Student Centre]], Toronto, Ontario Canada
* 1989: [[Richmond Hill Library]], Richmond Hill, Ontario Canada
* 1995: [[Baycrest]] Apotex Retirement Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
* 2001: Jewish Community Center in Manhattan
* 2006: [[Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts]], Toronto, Ontario Canada<ref>Tommasini, Anthony. "A Brand New ‘Ring’ in a Brand New Space." The New York Times, September 14, 2006</ref>
* 2007: [[Harman Center for the Arts]], Washington D.C., USA
* 2008: [[Southbrook Vineyards]], Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southbrook.com/|title=Southbrook Farms Limited|website=www.southbrook.com|access-date=2018-01-03}}</ref>
* 2009: [[Women's College Hospital]] Master Plan, Toronto, Ontario Canada
* 2010: [[Corus Quay]] Building, Toronto, Ontario Canada<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=1157|title=WAN:: Diamond and Schmitt waterfront project by Diamond and Schmitt Architects in Toronto, Canada|website=www.worldarchitecturenews.com|access-date=2018-01-03}}</ref>
* 2011 : [[Montreal Symphony House]], Montreal, Quebec, Canada (with SNC Lavalin and Aedifica, Montreal)
* 2011: Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, Toronto, Ontario Canada
* 2011: Burlington Performing Arts Centre, [[Burlington, Ontario|Burlington]], Ontario, Canada
* 2012: [[Osgoode Hall Law School]], Toronto, Ontario Canada
*2013:  [[Bridgepoint Health]] Chronic Long Term Health Care Complex, Toronto, Ontario Canada
*2013:  The [[Mariinsky Theatre#Mariinsky Theatre Second Stage|Mariinsky Theatre (Second Stage)]] New Opera, [[St. Petersburg]], [[Russia]]

==Work in progress==
*[[Black Sea]] Residential Resorts, [[Obzor]], Bulgaria (with Urbiarch, Obzor)

==Publications==
*1996:  ''Works: The Architecture of A. J. Diamond, Donald Schmitt and Company, 1968–1994''<ref>Diamond, A. J., Donald Schmit.  Works: The Architecture of A. J. Diamond, Donald Schmitt and Company, 1968–1995" Halifax: [[Tuns Press]], 1996</ref>
*2007: "Urban Form, Transportation and Sustainability". Ideas that Matter, July 30
*2007: "Sprawl is our 'Inconvenient Truth{{'"}}. ''[[The Globe and Mail]]'', May 18
*2008: Insight and On Site, The Architecture of Diamond and Schmitt.<ref>Diamond, A. J., Donald Schmitt, and Don Gilmour.  "Insight and On Site.  The Architecture of Diamond and Schmitt".  Toronto: Douglas & McIntyre, 2008</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130118222838/http://www.cdnarchitect.com/issues/ISarticle.asp?aid=1000224968&PC= Canadian Architect Review]</ref>
*2010:  Sketches from Here and There <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dmpibooks.com/book/sketches=|title=Douglas & McIntyre Publishers|website=www.dmpibooks.com|access-date=2018-01-03}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
*2022: Context and Content: Memoirs of a Fortunate Architect <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dundurn.com/books_/t22117/a9781459749764-context-and-content=|title=Dundurn|website=www.dundurn.com}}</ref>

== Honors and awards ==
* 1976: Governor General's Medal in Architecture for the Citadel Theater in Edmonton<ref name="TCE"/>
* 1984: Governor General's Medal in Architecture for the Metropolitan Toronto Central YMCA<ref name="TCE"/>
* 1989: Toronto Arts Award for Architecture and Design<ref name="TCE"/>
* 1990: Governor General's Medal in Architecture for the Earth Sciences Centre at University of Toronto<ref name="TCE"/>
* 1991: Governor General's Medal in Architecture for the York University Student Centre<<ref name="TCE"/>
* 1993: Governor General's Medal in Architecture for the Richmond Hill Central Library<ref name="TCE" />
* 1995: Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa), Dalhousie University<ref name="TCE" />
* 1995: Officer of the Order of Canada<ref name="TCE" />
* 1997: Order of Ontario<ref name="TCE" />
* 2001: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Gold Medal<ref name="TCE" />
* 2001: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture<ref name="TCE" />
* 2005: Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Award of Excellence for Innovation in Architecture<ref name="TCE" />

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* [http://www.gmcanada.com/gm/static/english/vehicles/2008/buick/enclave/podcast/index.html?adv=ENCOM070 Interview with Jack Diamond in Podcast Aesthetic Intent]
*[https://discoverarchives.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/diamond-abel-joseph-jack-oral-history Abel Joseph Diamond oral history interview] held at the [https://utarms.library.utoronto.ca/ University of Toronto Archives and Records Management Services]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Diamond, Jack}}
[[Category:1932 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Piet Retief, Mpumalanga]]
[[Category:Canadian architects]]
[[Category:Canadian Jews]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of Ontario]]
[[Category:University of Cape Town alumni]]
[[Category:Alumni of University College, Oxford]]