The Arbour - George Brown College Tall Wood Building

Located on George Brown College’s (GBC) expanding Waterfront Campus, The Arbour will be the home to GBC’s School of Technology and the Tall Wood Research Institute. 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 structures.

The design seeks to instill generous space for wellbeing and sustainable development. The notion of “Breathing Room(s)” informs the integrated design on every level: Structural Breathing Room breathes room into the mass timber by increasing the spans and space into the structure with a shallow profile; Social Breathing Room breathes generosity into a compact footprint by finding spaces for interconnectivity, community social health and choice for the building user; Systems Breathing Room provides passive access to fresh air and light by allowing the building to act like a tree, a living thing that synergistically captures light and air and contributes to the earth’s ecosystem in return.

A triple-storey atrium and ascending seat-stairs rise alongside and Queens Quay East and strategically reveals the secrets of a multi-layered, mass wood superstructure system. Passersby will be offered uninhibited views into this light-filled Atrium, accessible via the ground floor entrance on Level 1. Facing Sherbourne Common and functioning as a series of “Student Interaction Spaces”, the Atrium is one of several intimate and interconnected gathering spaces within the structure’s limited footprint. With expansive views upwards into the heart of the building, the Atrium also acts as a main circulatory element with feature seat stairs that effortlessly guide visitors up, through to the building’s core.

Continuing upwards, the Student Interaction Spaces are complemented by lecture halls, computer labs, classrooms and meeting rooms on Levels 2 and 3. Visitors can continue their ascent deeper into the core of the building’s open and beamless structure via stairs located on the third floor. The structure’s uncluttered, beamless interior spaces are achieved through a custom, state-of-the-art, cross-laminated timber (CLT) flat plate system. This mass wood structural system is relatively thin and requires no use of beams, thereby reducing overall building height, volume, material costs, and simplification of distribution of building systems.

East and West solar chimneys act as the ‘lungs’ of the building, naturally and sustainably circulating cool air throughout the entirety of the structure. The light-filled clerestory and Level 9 Mezzanine will house the Tall Wood Institute at the very top. Maximizing both natural light and outward views of ’s East Harbour, the Institute’s angled top will overlook GBC’s Waterfront Campus. The Tall Wood Institute will also feature an aesthetically striking and structurally unique CLT and glulam roof structure that will signal the pioneering research work taking place within. Fittingly at its apex, Building and Program come together to confront climate change head on for current and future generations. VIEW FROM QUEENS QUAY

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 1 SITE CONNECTIONS

E The design of The Arbour enhances connections to neighbouring developments and the natural spaces offered by Sherbourne Common and the Water’s Edge Promenade. Queens Quay E Fronting to the east on Dockside Drive, a striking silhouette distinctly marks The Arbour, and George Brown College, on the skyline. The soaring solar chimney signals the sustainable systems within, while the angled apex of the Tall Wood Institute speaks to future advancement of D D A tallwood technologies and development of low carbon building methodologies. The building adresses the park and Queens Quay Blvd with primary views to and from the northeast corner at grade and southeast corner on the upper levels. An elegant double-stacked bridge links directly to the Daphne Cockwell building. The building form is defined and shaped by site- A THE ARBOR specific sustainability measures and acts as a vessel B GBC DAPHNIE COCKWELL for innovative spaces for learning and student life. B C SHERBOURNE COMMON In direct contrast to the surrounding, dematerialized D FUTURE INNOVATION CENTRE glass towers, this compact, versatile and light- E GBC CAMPUS footprint building is filled with warm, intimate and F C collegial spaces that evoke a sense of purpose and permanence in the landscape. F

St. James Campus St. James Park David CrombiePark Bike Lanes

TTC Lines Sherbourne Common Waterfront Campus

Sugar Beach CAMPUS CONNECTIONS PARK CONNECTIONS TRANSIT CONNECTIONS

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 2 VIEW FROM SHERBOURNE COMMON

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 3 1:500 LEGEND 22 22 7 1 40 Person Classroom 15 Toddler Classroom 2 60 Person Classroom 16 Preschool Classroom 3 40 Person Computer Lab 17 Playground 4 60 Person Computer Lab 18 Stroller Storage 5 Lecture Hall 19 Bridge 6 Meeting Room 20 Faculty/Admin 9 13 9 12 7 Student Interaction Space 21 Generator Room 8 Electrical Room 22 Fitness Centre 10 8 23 9 Mechanical Room 23 Janitor 10 A/V Room 24 Outdoor Patio 11 Solar Chimney 25 Tall Wood Institute 12 Lobby 26 Green Roof 13 Day Care 17 14 Infant Classroom 18 14 15 15 16 16

Line of Building Above

LEVEL 1

22 7 2 7

6 11 11

9 7 9 11 9 9 6 8 23

4 2 2 5 5 5 6

LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 4 1:500 LEGEND 2 2 2 1 1 1 40 Person Classroom 15 Toddler Classroom 2 60 Person Classroom 16 Preschool Classroom 3 40 Person Computer Lab 17 Playground 4 60 Person Computer Lab 18 Stroller Storage 5 Lecture Hall 19 Bridge 6 Meeting Room 20 Faculty/Admin 7 Student Interaction Space 21 Generator Room 11 9 9 7 11 8 Electrical Room 22 Fitness Centre 8 9 Mechanical Room 23 Janitor 23 10 A/V Room 24 Outdoor Patio 11 Solar Chimney 25 Tall Wood Institute 12 Lobby 26 Green Roof 13 Day Care 14 Infant Classroom 2 1 2 2 6

LEVEL 4 19

4 4 4 1 1 2 2 2 3 1

11 11 11 11 7 9 9 9 3 9 7

10 8 23 8 23

2 1 2 2 6 2 2 2 2 6

19 LEVEL 5 LEVEL 6

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 5 LEGEND 1:500 4 4 4 1 1 1 40 Person Classroom 15 Toddler Classroom 2 60 Person Classroom 16 Preschool Classroom 3 40 Person Computer Lab 17 Playground 4 60 Person Computer Lab 18 Stroller Storage 5 Lecture Hall 19 Bridge 6 Meeting Room 20 Faculty/Admin 11 7 9 3 9 11 7 Student Interaction Space 21 Generator Room 8 Electrical Room 22 Fitness Centre 8 23 9 Mechanical Room 23 Janitor 10 A/V Room 24 Outdoor Patio 11 Solar Chimney 25 Tall Wood Institute 12 Lobby 26 Green Roof 13 Day Care 20 14 Infant Classroom

LEVEL 7

4 4 4 1 1 26

11 9 3 9 7 11 11 8 25 8 11

10 8 23

20

24

LEVEL 8 LEVEL 9

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 6 A BUILDING ENTRY B BUILDING FORECOURT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS C DAYCARE ENTRY Sherbourne Common, designed to connect us to Lake Ontario fittingly forms the front door of the Arbour. This D DAYCARE PLAY SPACE opportunity to combine a learning institution within the context of a developing urban neighbourhood will set a E THE LEARNING LANDSCAPE fertile ground for Change, inspiring young minds to shape the future of the City. A triple-storey atrium and ascending seat-stairs rise alongside Martin Goodman Trail and Queens Quay East to tell a tale of tall wood transformed through the absence of sections of CLT (Cross Laminated Timber), to strategically reveal the secrets of the multi-layered, mass wood superstructure system. At the base of the learning landscape and at the entry to the building is an informal presentation space, a “community classroom”, or “speakers corner” where learning is on display to the greater neighbourhood; those looking into the space from the learning landscape will also look out onto the backdrop of the park and lake. Queens Quay E

E B

A

D

0 5 10C 20m Dockside Dr

0 5 10 20m

SITE PLAN 1:500 0 5 10 20m E VIEW FROM THE LEARNING LANDSCAPE

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 7 8 BREATHING ROOM(S) This notion of “Breathing Room(s)” informs the social spaces of the project. A series of interconnected spaces alternate through the building. Interconnected, interactive social spaces for students and staff provide breathing rooms, and a compelling sequence of communities within the highly efficient, compact building footprint. 1 3 These spaces will provide choices for students, access to light, views and fresh air while making legible 5 4 the diversity of spaces afforded by the mass timber solution. 2 6

7

13

9

12 Active Systems 1 Fresh Air 2 Underfloor Air Plenum 3 Displacement Air Supply 4 Return Air Intake 5 Total Heat Recovery 11 6 Exhaust Air at Each Floor 7 Solar Chimneys

8 Passive Systems 10 8 PV-Ready Rooftop 9 Geo-Thermal Heat Pump 10 Supply Air / Operable Windows 11 Air Travels Through Corridors 12 Air Travels Through Atria 13 Air Exhausted by Solar Chimney

NET-ZERO/POSITIVE READY The proposed design is the outcome of a philosophy where the aspirations to achieve high-performance are placed at the core of the architectural expression. The strategy to achieving net-zero positive ready for The Arbour is through reduced consumption of energy. This imperative is integrated in the design of a thermally efficient building envelope, with optimized daylighting and natural ventilation systems, reducing the reliance on mechanical systems. The building form has been shaped and refined to maximize access to natural light and fresh air. Two solar chimneys located on the east and west facades create natural convection, drawing air up and through the building to ensure that air flow from operable SECTIONAL PERSPECTIVE windows is continually refreshed. The strongly sloping roof allows solar panels to be fixed to face the south and the angled profile creates a clerestorey, allowing northern light to illuminate the interior of the Tall Wood Institute.

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 8 VIEW OF THE LEARNING LANDSCAPE

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 9 4 1 SECTION A 1:500

2 CLT Box Beam

3

4 Wood Institute 7

1 Potential PV Panels 2 Standing Seam Roof Assembly 8 3 CLT Roof Deck 5 4 3-Ply CLT Sloped Box Beam 5 500mm x 1200mm CLT Column 6 CLT Truss Bridge 9m Feature Stair 9m 9m

6 Reinforced CLT Box Beam

5

5 7

10

13 9 SECTION B 1:500

7 5-Ply CLT Slab 8 8 9-Ply CLT Slab Beam 11 9 Concrete Topping 10 Shallow Raised Floor with Integrated Breathing Rooms Radiant Heating 11 Radiant Cooling Panels 12 12 Acoustic Wood Baffles 5 13 Concrete Column Bases, Slab on Grade, Basement and Tunnel Connection STRUCTURE The Arbour will break new ground with a revolutionary flat plate “slab band” structural concept that will pave the way for widespread use of mass timber in multi-storey, larger span buildings. The primary wood product will be cross laminated timber (CLT), which will be used not only for slabs but also for supports; these are comprised of a flush transfer system of cross laminated slab bands and columns - otherwise known as Feature Stair “wallumns”. The highly innovative CLT slab band and wallumn superstructure will provide the longer spans required for institutional academic use. At this pivotal moment in time, with the current worldwide interest in tall timber, the Arbour is poised to set a precedent for the approval of exposed mass wood high-rise buildings and to accelerate the development of the Canadian forest products industry. The wood used for The Arbour will be sourced from sustainably managed forests with a legal requirement to regenerate all harvested areas. Mass wood construction can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the built environment since wood stores carbon and is less carbon intensive to produce than other building materials. The reduced carbon footprint will play an important role in climate change mitigation and future sustainable development of cities.

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 10 SOUTH ELEVATION 1:500 WEST ELEVATION 1:500

P.V. Armature

Solar Chimney Louvers

Solar Chimney

Prefabricated Envelope Modules CLT Truss Bridge

Module A

Module B

Shading Fins

CLT Canopy

Unitized CW

NORTH ELEVATION 1:500 EAST ELEVATION 1:500

Solar Chimney

CLT Canopy

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 11 Level 9 + Mezzanine

Level 8

Level 4 - 8: Flexible Layout

Level 7

Level 6

VIEW OF A TYPICAL BREATHING ROOM Level 5 FLEXIBILITY The plan is organized using a tartan grid to Level 3: establish three parallel bars of programmable Lecture Configuration Level 4 space. The mass wood structure is laid out on a seven by nine metre grid. The outer bars house classrooms, labs and administrative offices, with access to light and view. The large span, beamless structure,enables Level 3 demising walls to expand and contract, providing flexibility of sizes for a variety of learning spaces. Over time, programs uses are free to change and departments to shift. Level 2 The central bar houses vertical circulation cores Level 3: bookended by an interconnected sequence views Conference Configuration of double-height, interactive social spaces for telescopic seating students and staff within the compact building operable partitions footprint. Computer labs desirous of limited Level 1 Tall Wood daylight are comfortably housed within the inner Daycare central spine. Fitness Centre Classrooms Three large lecture rooms flow out to a generous, Computer Labs third floor crush space that overlooks Queen Lecture Rooms Quay East, from which a cascade of seat-stairs Meeting Rooms step downward through a triple-storey atrium. Administration Mechanical FEATURE STAIR

THE ARBOUR 2018 CANADIAN ARCHITECT AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE | 12