The Rob and Cheryl McEwen Graduate Study & Research Building

Salas O’Brien partnered with York University for its expansion project, including new spaces for research, teaching, administrative/office functions, a student lounge and café, and a collaboration lounge, all designed with low-energy strategies and Toronto Green Building Standards.

The building uses multilevel social space crossed by horizontal and vertical pathways, with an open stair wrapping its edges. Various-sized teaching spaces, event spaces, and breakout rooms revolve around this central space.

The project received LEED Gold certification and is designed to achieve an ultra-low-energy footprint of 98 kWh/m2/annum, 71.44% better energy performance than the MNECB reference standards, and a 68% reduction in carbon emissions, technically considered a Net Zero experience.