After more than three years, construction crews achieved substantial completion on George Brown College’s Limberlost Place building on April 22.

The 10-storey structure, which is built using Canadian-sourced mass-timber components, was designed by the team of Moriyama Teshima Architects and Acton Ostry Architects. PCL acted as the lead contractor. 

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. Key elements include the passive ventilation system powered by solar chimneys, rooftop photovoltaics, a deep-water cooling system, and flexible design components that maximize access to natural light and fresh air.

“Limberlost Place sets a new standard for green building and specifically mass-timber construction, and today’s topping-off ceremony marks a significant milestone,” said Limberlost Place Project Director Nerys Rau. “We are immensely proud of the progress made so far on this stunning example of climate-resilient construction that raises the bar when it comes to both design and function.”

The structure contains extraordinary elements, including a mass-timber pedestrian bridge on the fifth floor, connecting it to the Daphne Cockwell Centre for Health Sciences, and the largest wood column of its kind in North America (and possibly the world).

The building 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. 

"Limberlost Place sets a new standard for sustainable construction and building systems at the college and across Canada," said George Brown College's Vice-President of Facilities and Sustainability Michelle McCollum. "We are very proud to be pioneering new ways to respond to global climate change while ensuring spaces are designed to enhance the well-being of our students and community members."

George Brown College alumni and students were involved in the construction of Limberlost Place, which is one of the few high-profile and women-led architectural and construction projects in Toronto.

Rau said the project presented many potential risks – financial and institutional – but its success showcases how the post-secondary education sector can spur advancements in sustainable planning and construction.

"It says a lot for George Brown as an institution to be willing to take on such an innovative building. The status quo is always the easy way to go, but it's not what we should be doing for the future," she said. "You don't get the opportunity to construct a new building very often. When you have the opportunity, you should build something for the future."

At substantial performance, Limberlost Place is already five years ahead by reaching Tier 4 of the Toronto Green Standard, hitting 2030 targets as the city aims to transition to net-zero emissions. Limberlost Place also spurred changes to the provincial building code. The Ontario government updated the code to allow encapsulated mass timber construction up to 18 storeys.