Modern buildings including George Brown College with red and glass facades near a waterfront at dusk.
Sectionally arranged “breathing rooms” distributed social and collaborative spaces throughout the building’s vertical expanse. Solar chimneys, operable windows, and a high-performance envelope reduces energy demand while making environmental systems visible and intuitive.
Two people standing on a sunlit corridor with large wooden beams and floor-to-ceiling windows, one person pointing outside.


A living lab for mass timber, sustainability, and design.

In the Learning Landscape, the feature staircase invites students to gather in a variety of ways. With open areas available for collaboration and discussion, as well as closed spaces for independent study, there's an environment for every type of learning style. On the second floor, a overhanging balcony floats above the atrium, providing wheelchair users an immersive experience with a grand view.

The educational facility includes a daycare, fitness centre, innovation spaces, and an event venue. Through a beamless mass timber structural system and column-free spans, the classrooms enable clear sightlines, views of the lakeshore, and flexibility for evolving academic programs. Conceived as a living laboratory, it exemplifies the possibilities of integrated research, teaching and sustainable construction practices.

Urban sidewalk with young trees in front of a modern building featuring glass windows and decorative panels, and a person walking two dogs.
Modern building with large glass windows and vertical orange panels on an urban street with pedestrians, a dog, and a cyclist.
Modern multi-story building with vertical brown panels and large glass windows at a street corner with a cyclist in the foreground.

Life Cycle Assessment

MTA conducted a post-construction life cycle assessment of Limberlost Place. This analysis provides insight into the reality of a building's embodied carbon beyond the design stage, helping us understand where we are successful in reducing carbon emissions and where improvements can be made.

Aerial view of modern buildings near a waterfront at dusk, with lit windows and a street running alongside.

Mass Timber Research

Through extensive research and testing, we developed a mass timber system comprised of bespoke glulam columns and main concrete composite spanning elements called slab bands. By making these results publicly available, we hope to encourage their use in projects across the field.

Modern office interior with wooden beams, long tables, and people working and conversing in natural light.
AZ Award, Environmental Leadership
2026
Architizer A+ Award, Sustainable Institutional Building
2026
Canadian Green Building Award, Institutional Building
2026
RAIC Research & Innovation in Architecture Award
2022
AZ Award, Best in Concepts
2019
Canadian Architect, Award of Excellence
2018
Interior view of a wooden staircase with vertical slatted wood paneling and three people; one leaning on the railing, one walking down, and one ascending the stairs.