ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Mecanoo and RDHA Complete Lawson Centre for Sustainability at Trinity College Toronto

architecture-design · 2026-09-18

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

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

Sources