UTM Innovation Complex

The UTM Innovation Complex is a project that addresses the overcrowded educational and faculty needs of the Departments of Economics and Management at the University of Toronto Mississauga campus and to provide a new office for the functions of the Office of the Registrar. Both these academic and administrative functions have been in less than ideal circumstances for some time as the campus has burgeoned. In choosing to substantially expand and renovate the existing Kaneff Centre, the University is making a strong commitment to reusing its resources and in doing so found the opportunity to enclose an existing underutilized open space and add a significant new multi-function assembly space to the campus. The newly enclosed “Rotunda”, as a non-academic space, is a place that can contribute to the campus’ character and to the communal life of the students, staff and faculty that ultimately gives a campus it’s identity. The design challenge was to create a space that was simultaneously inclusive and in-keeping with the community scale of UTM but have a scale and grandeur to be a venue for significant events and occasions. The addition to the existing Kaneff Centre is 1590 s.m. of below grade space and 6960 s.m. of above ground space over three storeys. The programme is distribution is classroom spaces at the lower level, Office of the Registrar Services at grade, the multifunction assembly space or Rotunda at grade, the Department of Management offices on the second level and the Department of Economics offices on the third (with departmental representation at grade). Distributed throughout all above ground levels are non-assigned spaces for inter-departmental use. The four levels are accessed by a pair of elevators, two exit stairs placed to encourage everyday use and a convenience stair to the teaching spaces below grade. The building itself is served by two new entrances in addition to the existing 3 main entrances and encourages connection to the public transit stops. The primary massing objective of both the multifunction space and the academic teaching and office space was to minimize footprint, capture natural light and reinforce or create usable open spaces around the building addition. In order not to overwhelm the existing building, the addition adds discrete and geometric elements to unify an existing geometrically complex plan and tie the volumes together with use of a green roof. The envelope of the academic portion of the addition is designed to achieve R27 wall and R30 roof with a partial green roof portion. The exterior expression of the addition at the upper level is a series of vertical fins offset from the building to provide increase shading on the glazing and shading on the façade. The gesture as well unifies the overall expression of the building helping to frame the exterior spaces that surround the building defining the edges of a new plaza and garden spaces creating usable spaces in between buildings. The interior objective again was to capitalize on the low campus building height and to maximize daylight harvesting. The interior finishes are natural and local both to make a connection with the landscape (a defining characteristic of the, or low VOC content. The structure is concrete and steel with recycled content and all finishes will be sourced with sustainability in mind. The HVAC strategy will aim for high performance, high delta T delivery, the largest space, the Rotunda will be serviced with a displacement ventilation strategy and lighting fixtures will be efficient and controlled with occupancy sensors where applicable. Additionally all plumbing fixtures will be sourced for efficiency and the University of Toronto Mississauga is committed to a programme of responsible maintenance with respect to products and protocols. Most meaningfully though, the project is designed to be robust, with stone walls and terrazzo floors, durable and long lasting materials that will ensure that the building is built to last. Also in the design we have employed a strategy of future proofing, using the principles of linear planning, centralized cores and consolidated mechanical services this anticipates change in use and easily facilitates change as the various departments may change over time. The combine strategies of robust construction and future proofing minimize repair and extensive renovation even if the programme changes over time.
(summary imported from CAGBC database. remove this message if edited)