Perkins & Will

York University School Of Continuing Studies

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography

York University School Of Continuing Studies

Perkins&will

BUILDING SCIENCE
Rdh

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Smith+andersen

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Smith+andersen

YEAR
2022

MANUFACTURERS
Alumicor, Carey Glass, Second Generation Furnishings, Tk Elevator

DESIGN TEAM
Safdar Abidi, Andrew Frontini, Dan Mctavish, Jon Loewen

BUILDING CODE
David Hines Engineering

LOCATION
Toronto, Canada

CATEGORY
University

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Andrew Frontini, Safdar Abidi

York University’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) was dispersed across a series of temporary accommodations-a critical shortcoming for the School’s students and faculty.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography

In response, the University articulated the need for a dedicated building to assert the School’s identity and culture, define a campus gateway, and meet ambitious sustainability targets.

The bold twisting form creates a new home for the School and defines the south edge of the campus and shapes a new pedestrian plaza.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography

The building accommodates highly flexible learning environments, social and collaboration spaces, and offices for students and faculty in a space that is lofty, and bright promoting community, culture, and identity for SCS.

At the core of the project are the goals of reducing embodied carbon and improving occupant health.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography

The design explores the potential for Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Carbon and is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.

Strategies include a building envelope designed using Passive House strategies, direct outdoor air ventilation, and active chilled beams throughout.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography

The use of Passive House design strategies combined with highly efficient HVAC and energy systems reduce energy loads greatly, minimizing the extent of the renewable energy production needed to aid the project in achieving the Net-Zero Energy target.

The design approach formally departs from the surrounding built fabric with a strict economy of means.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography

With high energy efficiency and occupant comfort targets, the budgetary premium associated with the twisting form needed to be minimized.

The design, in response, deploys a rigorous geometry that optimizes the repetition of standard, off-the-shelf components.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography

Thus, the building’s dynamic form is generated through simple geometric logic, with rectangular floor plates rotated around a common centroid.

The rotation of the overall form introduces a two-way curve into the north and south facades.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography

As the building rotates about its centroid, a triangulated panel pattern takes advantage of regular and biaxial symmetry to create zones of repeat panel shapes on both the long and short facades of the building.

Through this simple twisting gesture, the brief of creating a striking new home for the School of Continuing Studies, which promotes the combined agendas of energy efficiency, occupant well-being, and campus building, is accomplished.

York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography


York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Tom Arban Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography
York University School Of Continuing Studies
© Doublespace Photography


York University School Of Continuing Studies
Sections
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Section
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Section
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Section


York University School Of Continuing Studies
Model
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Model
York University School Of Continuing Studies


York University School Of Continuing Studies
Ground floor plan
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Floor plan level 01
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Floor plan level 2
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Site plan


York University School Of Continuing Studies
Exploded system diagram
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Exploded axo
York University School Of Continuing Studies
Design approach

Perkins & Will
T +1 212 2517000 F +1 212 2517111
Perkins & Will
1250 Broadway Suite 200, New York, NY 10001, United States