‘The Arbour’ will be the home to the School of Technology and the Tall Wood Research Institute on George Brown College’s (GBC) expanding Waterfront Campus. The opportunity to combine a learning institution within a developing urban neighbourhood sets fertile ground for Change, inspiring young minds to shape the future of the City.
This 10-storey tall wood, low carbon building will be the first of its kind in Ontario, featuring ecological innovation across its entire life cycle and be a model for 21st Century smart, sustainable, green building innovation throughout Canada.
The project brings an innovative structural approach that revolutionizes the future of large span tall wood construction by fully taking advantage of the spanning capabilities of cross laminated timber (CLT) structures.
The construction of ‘The Arbour’ aligns with the City of Toronto’s intensification zones, industry and employment clusters and transit investments by enhancing connections to neighbouring developments and natural spaces offered by Sherbourne Common Park and the Water’s Edge Promenade.
In direct contrast to the surrounding, dematerialized glass towers, this compact, versatile and light-footprint building is filled with warm, intimate and spaces for research, learning and student life that evoke a sense of purpose and permanence in the landscape.
To see more amazing entries from this year’s WAN Awards please click here.