To meet the needs of a growing community in the City of Brampton, the Government of Ontario expanded the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse, reinforcing the courthouse as a civic anchor and Brampton’s commitment to justice.
Ministry of the Attorney General
Pomerleau (Phase 2)
Entrance/Lobby – 6,500 SF (604 SM)
Phase 1 – 110,000 SF (10,220 SM)
Phase 2 – 128,500 SF (11,930 SM)
2020 – Phase 1: Addition, fit-out of basement and floors 1–2
2023 – Phase 2: Fit-out of floors 3-6; partial renovation of existing courthouse and Land Registry Building
Challenge
Rising case volumes, enhanced security, and the expectation for modern, accessible justice services created the need for additional courtrooms, judicial support spaces, and public areas. To maintain full operations at one of the province’s busiest courthouses, the project required a multi-phase approach.
Solution
Using stakeholder input to inform design decisions that prioritize human dignity and comfort, our multi-phase approach delivered the basement and first two floors, followed by courtrooms, judicial chambers, and public waiting areas in Phase 2. Cultural inclusion is embedded throughout, including three courtrooms designed to accommodate Indigenous smudging and ceremonial practices. Intuitive circulation supports safe wayfinding, while barrier-free entrances and seating areas promote equitable participation.
Outcome
The design meets LEED Silver standards by incorporating daylight harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and building automation to reduce environmental impact, operating costs, and enhance occupant comfort. Natural light, durable finishes, and integrated courtroom technology enhance the experience for all users—from staff to witnesses to the public.
Five new courtrooms, judicial chambers, conference rooms, and settlement spaces expand capacity for both the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice.
The multi-phase expansion included renovations to both the existing courthouse and the adjacent Land Registry Building while maintaining full operations
The Government of Ontario expanded the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community in the City of Brampton. Rising case volumes, enhanced security, and the expectation for modern, accessible justice services created the need for additional courtrooms, judicial support spaces, and public areas.
As a long-standing partner on the site, our team led the integrated planning, design, and engineering of the six-story vertical addition, building upon prior entrance and security upgrades. Phase 1 delivered immediate operational capacity by fitting out the basement and first two floors. Phase 2, delivered under a Design-Build-Finance model, completed levels three to six, adding five new courtrooms (for both the Ontario Court of Justice and Superior Court of Justice), judicial chambers, conference and settlement rooms, and expanded public waiting areas. The multi-phase project also included renovations to both the existing courthouse and the adjacent Land Registry Building—all while maintaining full operations at one of Ontario’s busiest courthouses.
Judicial, staff, and stakeholder input informed key design decisions so the expanded spaces support operational efficiency, human dignity, and user comfort. Circulation design separates public, judicial, and in-custody movement to support safety and intuitive wayfinding. Accessibility improvements address barrier-free entries, jury seating, and witness areas to facilitate equitable participation.
Cultural inclusion is embedded throughout, reflecting Brampton’s diverse population. Three of the new courtrooms are designed to accommodate Indigenous smudging, providing space for ceremonial practices and supporting reconciliation within the Canadian justice system.
Sustainability and operational resilience were central to the design, which meets LEED Silver standards. The addition incorporates daylight harvesting, energy-efficient systems, and building automation to reduce environmental impact, operating costs, and enhance occupant comfort. Natural light, durable finishes, and integrated courtroom technology enhance the experience for all users—from staff to witnesses to the public.
The expansion reinforces the courthouse as a civic anchor—embodying Brampton’s commitment to justice while strengthening access to justice for growing and diverse community.
