Award

J U N E 2 0 2 4 | 77 Sam Ibrahim Building – University of Toronto Scarborough R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y Z A S A RC H I T EC T S SAM IBRAHIM BUILDING – UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO SCARBOROUGH by NATALIE BRUCKNER T he University of Toronto Scarborough has long been recognized as a pioneer in educational innovation, dedi- cated to academic excellence and vibrant student communities. The new Sam Ibrahim Building (SIB) stands as a shining testament to this commitment. Designed to inspire and empower, it exempli- fies the University's dedication to crafting environments where stu- dents not only learn but thrive. The five-storey SIB is the con- tinuation of a classroom inventory expansion at the University's emerging North Campus, featuring 21 classrooms of various sizes and configurations, from a 500-seat theatre-in-the-round auditorium to smaller 24-seat active learning environments. "The president's priorities of rein- venting undergraduate education was key for us with the SIB. We recognized an opportunity to do something very different, so we engaged our leader- ship team in reimagining classroom design and functionality. Our goal was to create unique spaces that cater to modern student needs and enhance the campus experience. This gave us license to feel comfortable that a radical design approach was going to be worthwhile," explains Andrew Arifuzzaman, chief administrative officer at the University. Centrally aligned with the University campus' Master Plan vision, the site occupies a very prom- inent location playing a key role in establishing an eastern edge and an important façade condition on the east side of a future "Campus Green." "The building needed to be a cen- trepiece of the North campus. It will eventually become part of a pedes- trianized pathway across the north campus, so it needed to stand proud and strong," explains Paul Stevens from ZAS Architects, who worked extremely closely with CEBR A architecture. The design of the SIB embodies a harmonious blend of functionality and metaphor, seamlessly integrating with its surroundings while convey- ing a deeper narrative. Building on the notion of a building floating above a constructed landscape of mounds, Stevens explains that the recessed grade level façade is a highly trans- parent, mullion-free structural glass plane with full-height glass panels. Glass fin mullions support this glass plane from grade level to the can- tilevered soffit above. The mound landforms that will ultimately extend across the Campus Green leading to the Highland Creek ravine have a nat- ural appearance – bush-hammered precast concrete tiles with a terrazzo- like aggregate on facing surfaces. Drawing inspiration from the sim- plicity and versatility of a Printers Tray, traditionally used to store mov- able type in 19th-century letterpress newspaper printing, the structure takes on a pure, rectangular form that maximizes views and enriches the adjacent public realm. "The facades mirror the diverse hierarchy of rooms and stimulating educational environments within," explains Lars Gylling, associate partner and architect at CEBR A archi- tecture. "They exhibit the interior activities and make the diversity of learning situations visible from the outside so that both the external and internal elevations become a back- drop of memorable atmospheres and diverse spatial settings for students." As visitors step inside, they're greeted by an inviting atmosphere and a variety of social spaces, such as a café, student welcome areas, and infor- mal collaboration spaces, strategically positioned to encourage movement towards the building's edges. The atrium of the SIB is particu- larly lively and dynamic and features what Arifuzzaman describes as a "standout staircase that is reminiscent of something out of Harry Potter. It seems to almost float as it connects the third and fourth floors, adding to the building's unique charm." For the classrooms, the archi- tects took a very forward-thinking approach, as Gylling explains: "When we designed the classrooms and inter- stitial spaces, we focused on creating memorable experiences through their diverse atmospheres, not only by employing colours but also by varying materials and room layouts. Furthermore, we named the differ- ent rooms to capture and recall their atmosphere. This composes a multi- tude of coded spaces where various learning and work activities are linked with the diverse physical surround- ings in which they occur." The Arrow Group Innovation Hall, an octagonal lecture theatre below- grade is a perfect example of this. "It's a truly remarkable space, unlike any other I know of in Canada," remarks Stevens. Arifuzzaman adds, "Despite its size in being able to accommodate 500 students, the room maintains an intimate atmosphere, with the fur- thest student just eight rows away from the teacher. This layout challenges conventional teaching methods, as there's no distinct 'front' of the class." Throughout, a blend of innovative and flexible learning spaces coexist with traditional ones, offering fac- ulty members the freedom to select the ideal environment for their teach- ing needs and materials. Arifuzzaman emphasizes that this diversity empow- ers educators to adapt their teaching styles effectively. Up on the fifth floor is where you find the student hub, a centralized space housing a multitude of student services. "The decision to put this up on the top floor was driven by the need to streamline our student services, which were previously dispersed across multiple buildings," explains Arifuzzaman. "By centralizing these services in a vibrant student space equipped with hangout areas and lounges, we aim to enhance visibility and accessibility for students." Sustainability was a key focus in the design process, with targets set to meet Toronto's Green Standards requirements and achieve a 40 percent reduction in energy consumption com- pared to baseline building standards. These goals are being realized through various strategies, including highly effi- cient thermal insulation of the building envelope and the implementation of a geothermal energy plant. Window sys- tems are equipped with triple-glazed operable windows, enhancing energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Innovating the boundaries of learning spaces, the SIB promises to be a magnet for students seeking an enriching educational experience. Arifuzzaman concludes by saying, "As we near completion, our focus shifts to measuring its effectiveness. We under- stand that the true measure of success lies in the building's ability to trans- form undergraduate education. While architectural accolades are welcome, our ultimate reward will be in demon- strating tangible change in how people experience learning. We're committed to incorporating lessons learned into future projects, ensuring continued improvement and innovation." A LOCATION 1050 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER University of Toronto Scarborough ARCHITECTS/INTERIOR DESIGN CEBRA architecture / ZAS Architects CONSTRUCTION MANAGER EllisDon Corporation STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Thornton Tomasetti MECHANICAL CONSULTANT The Mitchell Partnership ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT HH Angus L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Land Inc. TOTAL SIZE 199,060 square feet TOTAL COST $140 million

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