Services

Our portfolio spans public and private schools, post-secondary institutions, and specialized research buildings. From vibrant classrooms and state-of-the-art laboratories to inspiring auditoriums, gyms, and student residences, we bring structural solutions that balance functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Whether creating adaptable learning environments or facilities tailored for advanced research, we understand the unique demands of educational spaces and deliver designs that support innovation and growth.

We are proud to help create sports and recreation facilities that bring communities together and inspire active lifestyles. Our experience includes designing community centers, aquatic facilities, ice rinks, and multi-purpose hubs that serve as vital spaces for connection, wellness, and play. We understand the structural demands of these dynamic environments and our team delivers solutions that reflect the spirit and needs of the communities they serve.

From intricate masonry repairs and structural stabilizations to adaptive reuse strategies and seismic retrofits, we work closely with architects, owners, and heritage specialists to preserve and strengthen historic buildings with care and precision. These projects often balance technical demands with cultural and architectural significance, and we take pride in contributing to the longevity and continued use of valued heritage sites. Whether supporting a modest conservation scope or a full-scale rehabilitation, our team delivers solutions that respect the past while ensuring resilience for the future.

In 2024, Blackwell acquired Ojdrovic Engineering, a firm with over 20 years of renown experience in the structural rehabilitation and retrofitting of such heritage buildings as Parliament Hill’s West and East Blocks and the Supreme Court of Canada Building in Ottawa, Royal St. George’s College in Toronto, and Province House in Charlottetown.

Since the firm's founding, Blackwell has specialized in crafting structural solutions for custom homes that are as unique as the people who live in them. Whether it’s an urban residence on a tight site or a one-of-a-kind cottage retreat nestled in nature, our team thrives on the challenges of creating beautiful, functional, and enduring spaces. We collaborate closely with architects and builders to bring visionary designs to life, ensuring that each home is tailored to its environment and built to stand the test of time. 

As with new home construction, we bring decades of expertise and creativity to residential renovations of all sizes and complexities. Whether it’s underpinning foundations, integrating new additions, or executing full gut retrofits, we understand the structural intricacies of transforming and reinforcing the structure of existing homes. 

As part of our commitment to addressing the "missing middle" in housing, we have contributed to studies such as Re-Housing, exploring innovative solutions for creating more diverse and affordable housing options through adaptive reuse and thoughtful design. 

Our dedicated tensile structures team has been specializing in fabric structures and shade canopies for many years, combining technical precision with architectural elegance. We have extensive experience designing with a variety of membrane materials including PVC-coated polyester, PTFE-coated fiberglass, ETFE, and HDPE mesh fabrics.  Each material brings unique properties, from translucency and flexibility to durability and UV resistance, and we have gained valuable experience in making the right choice for each project's needs. Using advanced SolidWorks 3D modeling software, our team meticulously develops and refines every aspect of the design, ensuring seamless integration of structural elements and aesthetic goals. 

Blackwell has been at the forefront of mass timber design for years, pioneering innovative solutions and contributing to the growing adoption of this sustainable and versatile building material. Our team has extensive experience exploring and executing projects using a wide range of mass timber types, including CLT (cross-laminated timber), DLT (dowel-laminated timber), NLT (nail-laminated timber), and GLT (glue-laminated timber). We are experts in designing various floor systems and structural applications, tailoring each project to meet its unique architectural and performance goals. From concept to construction, our deep understanding of mass timber's capabilities allows us to deliver efficient, elegant, and environmentally conscious solutions for projects of all scales.

Our portfolio includes apartments, condominiums, affordable housing, social housing, seniors' housing, and long-term care facilities. These projects require a balance of thoughtful design and technical expertise to create safe, functional, and welcoming spaces for individuals and families.

We are particularly committed to supporting projects that promote social good, such as affordable and social housing initiatives, recognizing the vital role they play in building inclusive and equitable communities. With a collaborative approach and a focus on innovative, efficient design solutions, we work alongside architects, developers, and community organizations to bring these essential projects to life.

We relish the opportunity to collaborate on art projects, installations, and sculptures, bringing structural expertise to some of the most creative and unconventional designs. Whether it’s supporting large-scale public art installations or intricate, smaller-scale sculptures, our team enjoys working closely with artists and designers to help bring their visions to life. 

From sculptural benches and pavilions to intricate retaining walls, pedestrian bridges, and urban plazas, we work collaboratively to enhance outdoor spaces with thoughtful, durable designs. These projects often blend structural innovation with aesthetic and environmental considerations, and we thrive on the opportunity to contribute to spaces that foster connection, recreation, and reflection.

We have developed expertise in the design of state-of-the-art laboratories and research institutions that demand an exceptional level of detail and precision. These facilities are at the forefront of innovation, requiring structural solutions that accommodate highly specialized equipment, stringent environmental controls, and flexible layouts to support evolving research needs.

Arts centres, theatres, museums, or places of worship, all share a common goal of inspiring communities and enriching lives, often through unique and architecturally ambitious designs. We thrive on the challenges these projects present, working closely with architects and stakeholders to bring bold visions to life while ensuring structural integrity and functionality. 

Commercial buildings present unique demands which Blackwell has come to understand over our years of experience delivering successfully on these projects. Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and tight timelines are often paramount, and our expertise extends to projects in dense urban environments, where space constraints and logistical challenges also require innovative structural solutions. Whether designing office buildings, retail spaces, or mixed-use developments, we bring a practical, results-driven approach to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget.