Feds provide $4M in funding for U of T mass timber building
Thanks in part to a contribution of nearly $4 million from the federal government, the University of Toronto is forging ahead with the construction of a 14-storey mass timber academic and research tower on its St. George campus.
Located near the intersection of Devonshire Place and Bloor Street, the Academic Wood Tower will provide spaces for the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.
It is expected to be the tallest academic timber structure in Canada and one of the tallest mass timber and steel hybrid buildings in North America.
“This inspiring piece of architecture will provide our students, faculty and staff with state-of-the-art spaces for research, learning and community engagement,” said university president Meric Gertler. “It will stand as a testament to U of T’s global leadership in sustainability, as well as our commitment to city-building. It will also showcase Canada’s leadership in wood construction technologies and the forest products industry.”
Designed by award-winning Canadian firms Patkau Architects and MJMA Architecture & Design with consulting from Blackwell Structural Engineers and Smith+Andersen, the Academic Wood Tower’s structure has already won a Canadian Architect Award of Excellence. The same team worked on U of T’s Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
Construction is being led by Pomerleau, with completion anticipated in 2026.
“U of T’s Academic Wood Tower proves that we can reduce emissions, responsibly construct new buildings and contribute to the vibrant architectural fabric of a dense city like Toronto,” said Sandra Hanington, vice-chair of the university’s Governing Council.
Mass timber offers a wealth of structural advantages, including a high degree of fire safety and a low carbon footprint. Wood naturally absorbs carbon, taking it out of the atmosphere and reducing greenhouse gases. It is also one of the only major building materials that is a renewable resource.
Many of the tower’s components can be manufactured prior to their arrival, which means that they can be assembled easily and efficiently once on site, minimizing the level of construction disruption in this busy area of the city.
The structure is being constructed almost entirely from engineered Canadian timber.
Funding from the federal government is being supplied through the Green Construction through Wood program, which encourages the use of innovative wood-based building technologies in construction projects to help Canada reach its Paris Agreement commitments and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Government of Canada’s Green Construction through Wood program is supporting more sustainable Canadian materials for the construction industry,” said Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. “The University of Toronto’s Academic Wood Tower project is one of many examples of innovative technologies being used to create resilient and low-carbon buildings, while preventing carbon emissions.”