Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1035602
50 | OCTOBER 2018 Centre for Urban Innovation – Ryerson University RENDERING COURTESY MORIYAMA & TESHIMA ARCHITECTS The lighting design for the project was by Consullux Lighting Consultants, a division of Crossey Engineering Ltd. While preserving the legacy of the original structure was key, it is important to note that the CUI will house modern research facilities. "The requirements by each research lab also proved to create complexities for the mechanical system," notes Danny Baltazar, Ryerson's project manager. "In order to allow maximum flexibil- ity to the researchers, the project had to accommodate two high-volume exhaust stacks that discharge higher than the adjacent residential apart- ment in order to meet Ministry of the Environment regulations." Meanwhile, the food research lab had a number of very sensitive micro- scopes that required special treatment of the structure to minimize vibration, and the basement water lab required multiple microclimate environments. "The researchers in the water lab wanted to create a variety of different natural systems like marshes, swamps, and grass lands to determine the impact of urbanization on ecosystems," explains Stephen Ginsberg from NXL Architects, the laboratory architects on the proj- ect. For the water research lab, located both at the basement and first floor of the new building addition, the researchers required a long linear shallow water- proofed trench that was two-metres wide. "Grow lights were placed overhead, along with water services and drains located in multiple locations," continues Ginsberg. The researchers will be able to subdi- vide the trench as they wish, and fill it with materials to create an environment where various types of plants and microorganisms can thrive, as well as introduce materials like chemicals, gar- bage or sewage and measure their effect. In all, the $40-million project will house the Centre for Urban Energy, Ryerson Urban Water Institute, Food Research and SMaRT Lab, the NEXT Lab, Data Science Laboratory and Smart Urban Infrastructure Hub. "This new Centre for Urban Innovation creates new spaces and opportunities for Ryerson University researchers to collaborate on the global stage in finding solutions to crit- ical urban issues," says Contreras. "As the designers for the Ryerson CUI, we are proud to see this proj- ect enable real world applications for urgent urban issues in our own city, refresh and renew a dialogue with the city's heritage fabric, and advance the future of progressive education and research," concludes Phillips. A Partners.indd 1 2018-09-14 1:52 PM CROSSEY ENGINEERING LTD. MECHANICAL · ELECTRICAL · LIGHTING · TELECOMMUNICATIONS · ENERGY 416.497. 3111 WWW.CEL. CA Proud Mechanical and Electrical Engineers for the Centre for Urban Innovation at Ryerson University FM36380.indd 1 2018-09-12 8:05