{"id":21859,"date":"2023-09-12T23:16:56","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T06:16:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/graham-outlines-what-goes-into-constructing-the-117m-u-of-t-lawson-centre-for-sustainability\/"},"modified":"2023-09-12T23:16:57","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T06:16:57","slug":"graham-outlines-what-goes-into-constructing-the-117m-u-of-t-lawson-centre-for-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/graham-outlines-what-goes-into-constructing-the-117m-u-of-t-lawson-centre-for-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"Graham outlines what goes into constructing the $117M U of T Lawson Centre for Sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Lawson Centre for Sustainability is a $117-million, four-storey, hybrid mass timber and concrete structure that will add additional space to Trinity College as well as be a sustainable facility for generations to come.<\/p>\n

Located on the University of Toronto\u2019s St. George Campus, the building is targeting LEED Platinum certification and the Canada Green Building Council\u2019s Zero Carbon Building Standard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole premise and design behind it is that it\u2019s a sustainable building, so net-zero, it\u2019s a LEED Platinum project so a lot of the technologies that are used within the construction are sustainable technologies,\u201d said Dominic Gallagher, district manager \u2013 Toronto, with Graham.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have completed the geothermal wells, which are essentially generating heat from the earth\u2026That was a huge milestone to get that completed prior to doing the earthworks. Other technologies include the use of rainwater harvesting, there are PV panels, solar panels on the roof.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe client wants to be able to potentially feed itself, be sustainable, so there is a garden on the roof which is a fully functioning garden that they\u2019ll grow produce and then they\u2019ll use that within the building.\u201d<\/p>\n

Completion is anticipated in May 2025. It is slated to open in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cGraham was awarded the project in 2020, was brought on as the construction manager,\u201d Gallagher said. \u201cIt did take some time for the project to actually get into the ground due to delays during COVID.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe actually broke ground in December of last year. That\u2019s when we mobilized to the site.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bulk excavation, earthworks and shoring is completed and we\u2019re now due to commence formwork \u2026foundations substructures, which will start in the next couple of weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The building consists of student residences as well as academic, community and dining spaces.<\/p>\n

It will be located on the former parking lot of Trinity College at 6 Hoskin Ave. adjacent to Devonshire Place to the west, Varsity Stadium to the north, Philosopher\u2019s Walk to the east and the Trinity College campus to the south.<\/p>\n

One of the challenges has been working on a tight site in the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrinity College is a very old, historical place,\u201d said Gallagher. \u201cYou\u2019re building right in the middle of downtown. It\u2019s obviously active, very congested.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had to monitor closely things like vibration because you work in close proximity to these historic buildings, some of these buildings have been around pre-1900s, so we\u2019re working closely with the university.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other construction projects are also taking place at the university and they have shared access to the site.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to liaise very carefully with all the contractors,\u201d said Gallagher. \u201cWe\u2019re going to have more challenges when we start bringing in the materials because the glulam is in huge sections. It\u2019s brought in on 53-foot trailers. Getting the tower cranes in was logistically quite difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n

The low-rise, 155,000-square-foot, T-shaped building will add approximately 350 residence beds with single and double rooms as well as suites. The new building also includes designated residence lounges with full kitchens in each wing as well as multi-purpose study and activity spaces.<\/p>\n

In terms of academic space, the building consists of seminar- and lecture-style classrooms, shared-use meeting rooms, office spaces as well as a top-floor marquis event and conference pavilion, with an outdoor terrace and a view of the downtown Toronto skyline.<\/p>\n

It also includes areas for experiential learning, including a community kitchen and the George and Martha Butterfield Rooftop Farm.<\/p>\n

The Lawson Centre for Sustainability is part of Trinity\u2019s new\u00a0Integrated Sustainability Initiative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A portion of the food services will be supplied by the sustainable food program, harvesting from the building\u2019s rooftop community\u00a0gardens.<\/p>\n

In terms of materials, the building will utilize hybrid mass timber that prioritizes locally sourced timber and sequesters carbon; hyper-local compressed brick and limestone building cladding; durable materials with renewable and\/or recycled content; and LEED compliant building site and materials waste management.<\/p>\n

Other environmental features include a high-efficiency ventilation system for maximum indoor air quality; energy-efficient lighting and controls, co-ordinated with natural light wherever possible; energy-efficient equipment and fixtures; flexible building automation systems (with occupancy\/occupant load sensors to moderate HVAC and lighting levels); exposed wood design, large windows and proximity to nature to promote health and wellness; and low height open stairwells to encourage using stairs over elevators<\/p>\n

There is also bicycle parking, including an indoor facility with showers and lockers; a below-grade cistern for rainwater collection and reuse; and it is close to public transportation.<\/p>\n

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LAWSON CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABILTY PROJECT WEBSITE – The building will utilize hybrid mass timber that prioritizes locally sourced timber and sequesters carbon; hyper-local compressed brick and limestone building cladding; durable materials with renewable and\/or recycled content; and LEED compliant building site and materials waste management.
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LAWSON CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABILTY PROJECT WEBSITE – The Lawson Centre for Sustainability at Trinity College located at the centre of the University of Toronto\u2019s St. George Campus is targeting internationally recognized LEED Platinum certification and certification under the Canada Green Building Council\u2019s Zero Carbon Building Standard.
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