Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/755184
8 | DECEMBER 2016 PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA LOGAN/COURTESY ARCHITECTS TILLMANN RUTH ROBINSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAI GIL/COURTESY ARCHITECTS TILLMANN RUTH ROBINSON architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson Sense Of Purpose Y ou would be hard pressed to find an architecture firm in Southwestern Ontario with such a rich and diverse history as architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson. Over its 108 year history, the firm has been integral to the advance- ment of public life and institutions in the province. From the Labatt Brewery building to the art deco Canada Trust building (previ- ously the Huron and Erie Mortgage Corporation building), the firm has inspired the look and feel of many iconic structures in London, Ontario and beyond. The firm actually started way back in Windsor, Ontario in 1908 with John MacLeod Watt and Detroit architect D. Howard Crane under the name of Watt and Crane. The duo operated offices in Detroit and Windsor until it was dissolved during the First World War, at which time Watt formed a new partnership in London, Ontario with Victor Blackwell under the name of Watt and Blackwell; a partnership well known for designing a number of industrial structures for the McCormick Manufacturing Company, the Ruggles Motor Truck Company and the Hunt Brothers Flour Mills, as well as hospital buildings, schools and several large residences. It was in 1946 that Peter F. Tillmann joined the firm and in 1966 began working with renowned architect Wilfred Lamb on projects like University Hospital; a mil- lion square feet of new hospital that still remains extremely identifiable. In 1977, Bill Ruth joined Tillmann followed closely by Ric Mocellin, and then in 2008 Scott Robinson became a partner. Tom Tillmann, Peter Tillmann's son, joined in 1986 after having spent his sum- mers working as a student with the firm before graduating and working as an archi- tect in Milan, Italy, where he gained international experience and developed his love of vibrancy and colour. As the older generation hung up their hats, a new generation joined the ranks and McMichael Ruth, son of Bill Ruth, brought a fresh new perspec- tive and enthusiasm to the firm. The firm, architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson as we know it today, was born. While the architecture sector has obviously changed since 1908, there is one ele- ment that has remained firmly at the heart of the company: "My father was a man of sincere integrity. If he would say he would do something, he would stick to that. Integrity builds trust and is something we have become well-known for. We often University Health Network BMO Education and Conference Centre.