Mecanoo and RDHA Complete Lawson Centre for Sustainability at Trinity College Toronto
In 2026, Trinity College in Toronto unveiled the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, a project crafted by Mecanoo in collaboration with RDHA. This facility marks the College's first new construction since 1979, replacing an originally proposed fourteen-story tower with a more modest low-rise design that incorporates courtyards for both food cultivation and social interaction. The building, constructed from hybrid timber, is equipped with a geothermal heat pump, a rainwater harvesting system, and plans for a photovoltaic array. It also features a rooftop urban farm, a community kitchen, and a café. The residence offers 262 units with 357 beds, including accessible options, while academic facilities comprise meeting rooms and a lecture hall. Additionally, Vancouver secured 9th place in the EIU Global Liveability Index, alongside announcements of new architectural projects in Ontario and Toronto.
Key facts
- The Lawson Centre for Sustainability is Trinity College's first new building since 1979.
- Mecanoo collaborated with Toronto firm RDHA on the design.
- The building replaces a previously planned fourteen-story high-rise with a walkable low-rise structure.
- The hybrid timber structure is sourced from Ontario and includes a geothermal heat pump, rainwater collection, and a future photovoltaic array.
- The rooftop urban farm and community kitchen support farm-to-table education.
- The fourth-floor event pavilion accommodates up to 200 people and offers views of the CN Tower.
- The student residence contains 262 units with 357 beds, 15% barrier-free.
- Vancouver was named the world's 9th most livable city in the EIU Global Liveability Index.
Entities
Artists
- Antonia Piñeiro
- Kengo Kuma
Institutions
- Mecanoo
- RDHA
- Trinity College
- University of Toronto
- The Economist Intelligence Unit
- Civic Grid
- Parks Canada
- Kengo Kuma & Associates
- Paul Raff Studio
- SLA
- Blackwell Structural Engineers
- Smith + Andersen
- Footprint Consulting
- Aercoustics Engineering Ltd
- NAK Design Strategies
- Valdor Engineering Inc.
- Solucore
- Graham Construction
- RDH Building Science
- Food Forward
- Entro
- LRI
- CHM
- Brian Ballantyne Specifications
- Brothers Dressler
- Doublespace Photography
- Trinity College in the University of Toronto
- LEED
- CaGBC
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Ontario
- Vancouver
- Banff National Park
- Port Lands
- 6 Hoskin
- Netherlands
- Canadá