Education Spaces

A lesson in bringing history and innovation together

• Chen Cohen Jun 20, 2022
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Toronto Metropolitan University’s (formerly Ryerson University’s) Centre for Urban Innovation is a facility where science research labs, fabrication, incubation, assembly and commercial spaces come together to create real world applications of alternative energy, water management, data analytics, and smart urban infrastructure. A major addition and renovation to an existing heritage building, this project embodies the spirit of resilience and adaptive reuse by preserving the original structure. 

Interior Designer: Chen Cohen, ARIDO

Design Firm: Moriyama & Teshima Architects   

Photographer: Riley Snelling

The design preserves the original heritage building, including its distinctive chimney features, while inserting two new, interconnected structures. Labs and research areas are customized to be experimentally attractive and scientifically rigorous. The newly designed interior also provides places for researchers to mingle and share ideas by housing meeting rooms, lounge spaces, and kitchenettes; common rooms shared between various research departments encourage awareness and exchange.

The project manages to protect the history of the original structure while creating a seamless interior interface between the public and research activity. Several of the major spaces within the heritage building have been retained, such as decorative wood beams that were restored in their entirety. Other major spaces have been partially preserved with minimal partitions to allow the original details to remain visible. 

The materiality and details of the new addition are meant to draw from the innovative nature of the Centre. The exterior cladding of the new additions primarily consists of aluminum expanded metal mesh; the contrast between the heritage building’s stone cladding and the newly introduced metal panels allow users a glimpse  of the interior modernization within. As users make their way through the building, the aluminum metal mesh panels are strategically used as feature ceilings, providing a subtle sheen that recalls the scales of a fish.

Active areas for each department are highlighted through the use of vibrant blue accents; from seat cushions and flexible soft seating modules in the main atrium space, to laboratory safety flooring, through to informal collaboration areas located on each floor. Blue metal archways spanning from floor to ceiling were also created to signify the transition between the heritage building and the new additions and are a wayfinding feature at each of these critical points.

Reflecting the Centre’s spirit of efficiency, clarity, and exchange, a central four-storey sky-lit atrium encloses and links the original heritage building to the new addition. Each tier of the new space features floor to ceiling glazing, allowing dynamic views into lab spaces. Stepped seating on the north side of the atrium not only connects users to the second level, but also serves as an active space for gathering, studying, and industry presentations. 

The building signals a new level of research excellence at TMU and has become an interdisciplinary hub where ideas and collaborative research will thrive.