George Brown College breaks ground on mass timber building
George Brown College is in the pole position to open the first mass-timber building in Ontario’s institutional sector.
The college announced the start of construction of its 10-storey, tall-wood Limberlost Place building on December 14. The building is sited on the college’s Waterfront Campus in downtown Toronto. When it opens in the summer of 2024, it promises to be net-zero carbon emissions.
The start of construction of the building was made possible in part thanks to a donation of $10 million from philanthropist Jack Cockwell. Cockwell was among those invited to attend the facility’s groundbreaking, alongside Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop, and Toronto Mayor John Tory.
“This signature building not only represents an important addition to George Brown’s Waterfront Campus but also signifies its strong commitment to sustainable development with innovative design and extensive use of natural building materials,” said Cockwell. “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to play a small part in the building of Limberlost Place, and hope that future generations will benefit from the enhanced education, knowledge and innovation it will serve to facilitate.”
Cockwell’s $10-million gift builds on his earlier $8-million donation to George Brown College. The combined $18 million represents the largest donation to an Ontario college.
Limberlost Place will serve as the new home for the School of Architectural Studies, the School of Computer Technology and a new childcare facility. It will also house a research hub called the Brookfield Sustainability Institute. The building will also dedicate space to Truth and Reconciliation and to celebrating Indigenous culture.
The building will not need to use fossil fuels for heating or cooling and will have the ability to generate the same amount of energy it consumes in part through solar energy and deep-water cooling.
“This innovative and stylish addition to the city skyline will add to the vitality and modernization of Toronto’s beautiful waterfront and will enhance the facilities of George Brown students to work, study, learn and grow. We welcome students from around the world and we are excited to experience a uniquely Canadian building,” said college president Dr. Gervan Fearon.
Construction is underway at the corner of Queens Quay East and Lower Sherbourne Street, just north of the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences.