Lawson Centre for Sustainability

Client: Trinity College in the University of Toronto

Mecanoo, in collaboration with local architects RDHA, is designing the Lawson Centre for Sustainability (LCS) at Trinity College, University of Toronto. Targeting LEED Platinum and CaGBC Zero Carbon certifications, the LCS will be the College’s first new building since 1979. This mixed-use facility will strengthen Trinity’s commitment to sustainability, enhance its community culture, and reorganize the campus with a renewed focus on accessibility and wayfinding. A key element of the masterplan includes relocating campus logistics into the LCS to enable the transformation of the current delivery lane into a landscaped pedestrian axis.

The LCS is envisioned as a four-storey T-shaped volume, carefully scaled to suit the urban fabric of the campus. Its staggered massing will define each surrounding axis in a unique way, responding to diverse site conditions and programmatic needs. The former fenced-off North Field and adjacent parking lot will be reimagined as semi-public courtyards, planted with local indigenous species. The architectural expression combines a contemporary design approach with respectful reference to the existing Gothic and modernist styles of the historic college. Residence-level façades will feature playful window compositions, accented by aluminum surrounds and operable panels to enable natural ventilation. A limestone-clad base will anchor the building, while refined brickwork will articulate the shifting volumes. The facility will include a student residence with 262 units and 342 beds, offering studios, singles, and doubles, with 15% of the units designed to be barrier-free. Repeating layouts will support an efficient hybrid mass timber construction strategy that minimizes environmental impact. Communal lounges will be located at the ends of each residence wing to foster social interaction and shared cooking. Open study and collaboration spaces will be integrated throughout, encouraging a vibrant academic and social atmosphere. A ground-floor café will open into the courtyard, extending Trinity’s food offerings to students and the public. On the top floor, an event pavilion will provide views over the gardens and Toronto skyline, including the CN Tower. Sustainability is at the core of the design, which incorporates both high- and low-tech strategies. Beyond meeting performance targets, the LCS is intended to serve as a teaching tool through Trinity’s Integrated Sustainability Initiative. A key component is food literacy, supported by a rooftop urban farm and a community kitchen, allowing hands-on learning experiences. The design integrates a high-performance building envelope, geothermal systems, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting, in combination with abundant natural daylight, views to green spaces, and exposed timber interiors. These features aim to ensure comfort while significantly reducing material and energy consumption, empowering the Trinity community to become active stewards of the environment.