Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1533240
78 | M A R C H 2 0 2 5 R EN D ER I N GS BY M O R I YA M A T E S H I M A A RC H I T EC T S / AC TO N OS T RY A RC H I T EC T S – CO U RT E S Y G EO RG EB ROW N .C A Limberlost Place – George Brown College LIMBERLOST PLACE – GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE by CHRISTINE MORRISSEY L imberlost Place at George Brown College is setting a new benchmark for institutional architecture in Ontario. As a 10-storey, mass-timber, tall wood and net-zero carbon building, it is not only rede- fining the skyline of Toronto's East Bayfront community but also said to be reshaping the future of sus- tainable construction in Canada. Designed to house the School of Architectural Technology, the Brookfield Sustainability Institute (BSI) – a first-of-its-kind, college-based centre of excellence to tackle chal- lenges posed by climate change – a fitness centre, childcare centre, and a dedicated Indigenous space, this remarkable structure represents a bold vision for education, sustain- ability, and architectural innovation. The building's name was inspired by the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve near Huntsville, Ontario, a nod to the environmental ethos embedded in its design. This iden- tity was solidified in 2021 when Canadian business leader and phi- lanthropist Jack Cockwell donated $10 million to George Brown College in support of the project, adding to his previous $8-million gift in 2015. This historic $18-million contribution marks one of the largest donations ever made to the institution. Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA), in collaboration with Acton Ostry Architects, designed Limberlost Place with a deep commitment to stu- dent well-being. "When we designed Limberlost Place we designed it with students in mind," explains Carol Phillips, partner at MTA in the online video. Another consideration was a range of learning styles and the neu- rodiversity of students in the design. Social interaction perme- ates the design, from the ground level to the seventh floor, reflecting an understanding of how physi- cal space influences learning and engagement. A defining feature of the building is a large, east-facing, multi-level gathering area offer- ing expansive views of Queens Quay Boulevard East and Sherbourne Common waterfront park. The building's flexibility is another key element, with adaptable smart systems allowing spaces to evolve with changing academic needs. Beyond its educational mission, Limberlost Place is a triumph of sus- tainable engineering, standing years ahead of Toronto's 2030 Green Standard for new developments. Constructed with Canadian-sourced timber, the building maximizes access to daylight and fresh air while harnessing energy from its surrounding environment. The mass timber used for Limberlost Place was harvested from sustain- ably managed forests in Quebec, supplied by Nordic Structures. Two solar chimneys function as the engines of a passive ventilation system, drawing air up and through the structure from operable win- dows. This natural convection system allows the building to operate pas- sively for half the year, reducing reliance on mechanical ventilation and cutting overall energy consump- tion. Limberlost Place is also entirely free of fuel-fired systems, relying instead on high-efficiency electric sys- tems that provide a cleaner alternative to natural gas. A rooftop solar array will generate nearly a quarter of the building's energy needs, further off- setting greenhouse gas emissions. The structural ingenuity behind Limberlost Place is equally impres- sive. PCL Construction, leveraging its extensive expertise in mass tim- ber, navigated unique engineering challenges to bring the vision to life. Working in collaboration with the architects, Fast + Epp devel- oped an innovative large-span, beamless structural system using timber-concrete-composite CLT slab bands with perpendicular CLT infill panels, all supported on glulam col- umns. This flat plate system allows for architectural flexibility and unob- structed mechanical distribution. The building features three-sto- rey CLT columns that form a striking, open atrium, creating a sense of gran- deur while reinforcing the strength and efficiency of mass timber con- struction. The composite floor system, which integrates CLT and concrete, enables thinner structural ele- ments, increasing ceiling heights and optimizing space for mechani- cal and electrical components. Sustainability remains at the core of every design choice in this proj- ect. In addition to its solar chimneys LOCATION 185 Queens Quay East, Toronto, Ontario OWNER George Brown College ARCHITECTS ( JV) Moriyama Teshima Architects / Acton Ostry Architects CONSTRUCTION MANAGER PCL Constructors Canada Inc. STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Fast + Epp MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Introba BUILDING ENVELOPE CONSULTANT Morrison Hershfield SUSTAINABILIT Y CONSULTANT Transsolar TOTAL SIZE 225,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed