The roots of CSV Architects can be traced back to 1995 when a group of ten design professionals were looking for a collaborative workplace. Amongst this group were Anthony Leaning, Robert Froom and Peter Simister, who have now been principals at CSV Architects for over 20 years.

Anthony, Robert and Peter all studied together at the School of Architecture at Carleton University. After graduation, Peter headed to England to work with the TJMCA Partnership in Sussex. Anthony and Robert established the Architecture Book Store on Third Avenue in the Glebe, with the architectural practice of Leaning & Associates located on the second floor. Peter returned to Ottawa and established Peter Simister Architect in 1994. By 1995, Anthony and Rob had decided to sell the bookstore and were looking for a larger space for their practice.

A new workspace that suited everyone’s needs was found in Hintonburg, at 22 O’Meara Street, in a former school called Ecole St. Conrad. Leaning & Associates and Peter Simister Architect relocated into the large, high ceiling classrooms of the main floor. They were joined by five other Architects and two associates. The group began to share resources including a photocopier, plotter and phone system. It soon became obvious that the institutional and government clients that we were pursuing preferred to deal with larger more established practices. By 1998, everyone was in agreement that we would have more opportunity in the business of Architecture if we joined together and marketed our services as one entity.

The meaning behind CSV

After much discussion about a name for the new practice, ‘CSV Consultants’ was selected. The name was easily recognizable but was not associated with the surnames of the principals. ‘CSV’ is an acronym for the three principles of good architecture established by the Roman Architect, Vitruvius: Commoditas, Soliditas, Venustas, or Commodity, Firmness and Delight.

The workplace in the old Ecole St. Conrad, while spacious and bright, had challenges of heating and air conditioning, fire alarms and power outages, and the occasional bat. In 2004, the partnership had transitioned to four principals and a change of location was required. A new space was found nearby on the fourth floor of 1066 Somerset Street West.

CSV grew and prospered in the new location, expanding the space twice until the office occupied more than half of the floorplate. By 2005, Anthony, Robert and Peter were the principals of the practice. The work of CSV Consultants was diverse, with social housing projects, work for the National Capital Commission (NCC), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Public Works and Agriculture Canada. A common interest amongst the principals was sustainable design and Anthony Leaning became one of the first Architects in Ottawa to achieve his LEED accreditation. The principals believed that architects had a responsibility to design in a way that minimized harm to the natural environment. It was decided that every project would include principles of sustainability.

Looking ahead

The three principals were also looking ahead to the future of the practice and realized that a succession plan was needed, where younger principals would take over the leadership when the founding principals were ready to retire. Darryl Hood was CSV’s first employee and became an associate in 2007. By 2011, Darryl became a full principal. Two years later in 2013, Jessie Smith became an associate and was soon made the fifth principal in the management team that continues today. Two new associates have also been added, Richard Gurnham in 2015 and Rick Kellner in 2018.

CSV is proud of its achievements including ten LEED accredited buildings, two Passive House certified projects and a list of awards from international, national, provincial and municipal organizations.

In October 2019, after 15 years in Hintonburg, CSV will be moving to Centretown to a larger ground floor office at 190 O’Connor Street. The new workplace will give us more room and provides the opportunity to create a new type of collaborative workplace. As we celebrate 20 years of architectural practice, CSV is now well known as Ottawa’s Sustainable Architecture firm and as a centre of creative, innovative collaboration.