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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 57 Humber Cultural Hub – Humber College P H OTO G R A P H Y BY TO M A R BA N /CO U RT E S Y D I A M O N D S C H M I T T A RC H I T EC T S a cafeteria, and a gym. The acous- tics of the diverse performance venues were carefully worked out for optimal performance. As for the 300-bed residence, it was designed to include food service and student support spaces, positioned above – and linked to – Humber's exist- ing residence building via a bridge. Within the residence, Humber stu- dents have access to 126 new showers, 26 of which are wheelchair accessible. Every unit features white Torino walls installed by Bath Fitter. "This was our first time working with EllisDon," says Joseph Douglas, area development leader. "We really wanted to comple- ment the elegance of the entire project. The Torino walls, along with the matching 68-inch corner shelf tow- ers, add a nice touch to each shower." A highlight of the design is located at the heart of the Hub: the Exchange, which spans from grade level up to the third floor, within a light-filled atrium, and a super stair with amphi- theatre seating physically connecting all three levels. It supports the owner and architect's goal to promote casual performance, open talks, conversa- tion, and interaction (the Exchange will be fully realized upon completion of phase two). As for the sustainability goals, Valens says, "A geothermal system made up of 96 boreholes, each 800- feet deep, storing the energy needed to heat and cool our building. Also, Diamond Schmitt developed an extremely efficient building enve- lope, and the strategic use of glazing and shading will reduce solar heat gain and loss throughout the year." Onsite solar panels will generate another 10 percent of the building's power requirements, ensuring that 90 to 100 percent of energy used will be from renewable energy sources. Construction was complicated by rising material costs during the COVID lockdowns, "which neces- sitated extensive value engineering between EllisDon, Diamond Schmitt Architects, the IPD team, and Humber," says Valens. "Another big challenge was site constraints, which the entire team handled very well." The 120,000-square-foot exten- sion that compromises the second phase of the project (and will house the college's film program with film studios, editing suites, foley suites, screening room, and film program classrooms) will be built following the demolition of the existing teach- ers' college. "The interior circulation spine [the Exchange] of our new building is the area phase two will connect to," Valens says, adding that the three-storey steel frame structure follows the same aesthet- ics as the first phase building and will tie into the central geother- mal plant and other elements. Valens is excited by how the Humber Cultural Hub is taking shape. "It will be a real showcase for our music and film programs, and invigo- rate our Lakeshore campus," he says. "The intense collaboration between us, the architects, and the builders is resulting in a truly special facility." A Proud to have completed the concrete formwork, concrete placing, and slab finishing for the Humber Cultural Hub - Humber College project. ALLIANCE FORMING LTD. 91 PARR BLVD. BOLTON, ONTARIO 416 . 749 . 5030 verdialliance.com Alliance Forming.indd 1 Alliance Forming.indd 1 2024-08-13 9:52 AM 2024-08-13 9:52 AM WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE HUMBER CULTURAL HUB - HUMBER COLLEGE PROJECT. 1125 BURNS ST. EAST WHITBY, ONT. L1N 6A6 905-668-1323 www.darlingtonsteel.com Darlington Steel.indd 1 Darlington Steel.indd 1 2024-08-12 2:18 2024-08-12 2:18

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