The Instructional Centre serves the University of Toronto at Mississauga in the increasing population of undergraduate students with its classrooms, study spaces and amenities. This $70-million three-story Instructional Building includes a full range of state-of-the-art classrooms varying in size from 30 seats to a 500-seat auditorium, dedicated study space including collaborative and private rooms, and a computer lab. Students have access to flexible e-connected spaces that link them to global communities, and interactive learning tools so that they can actively participate in their education.
Details
Characteristics
Municipal Address
"The architect has chosen attractive building materials, which are further enhanced by their details, patterns and juxtaposition. The copper, wood and granite provide a harmonious palette that relates to the natural setting in a sophisticated and refined manner. This university building, along with the other newly built structures, demonstrates how an institute of higher learning can create high quality architecture that will be an inspiration and a symbol for future generations of students."
Building Features
The Instructional Centre continues U of T Mississauga's commitment to environmentally responsible growth with sustainable components such as:
Geothermal System
The Instructional Centre is heated and cooled by a geothermal system. When the building was built, a series of boreholes were drilled in the field adjacent to the building. There are a total of 117 boreholes, which are each 168 meters deep. Pipes were inserted in the boreholes and an anti-freeze solution runs through the pipes. In the summer, heat is removed from the building and stored in the ground. In the winter, the stored heat is returned to the building. Since the only energy used is a small amount of electricity to run the pumps, the system saves a considerable amount of energy compared to a building with a conventional boiler and chiller used for heating and cooling.
Solar Electric Array
The solar electric array on the west side of the Instructional Centre provides electricity to the building whenever the sun is shining. The array has a total capacity of 21 kilowatts. The panels are tilted at the optimum 45o angle to the sun. There are a total of 120 panels and the array has a total area of 145.6 m2.
Green Roof
The Instructional Centre has a green roof, which has several environmental benefits. Besides being aesthetically pleasing, the soil on the roof insulates the building, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. The roof also helps reduce the “urban heat island” effect, which keeps the campus cooler. The roof also provides habitat for wildlife and reduces storm water runoff.
Rainwater System
When it rains, water that falls on the Instructional Centre roofs is collected and held in a storage tank in the basement of the building. The water is filtered to remove contaminants. This water is then used to irrigate the green roof on the building, reducing the need for potable water. This is one of many ways that the Instructional Centre cuts down on the amount of water used in the building.
Awards
- Certified LEED® silver
- 2012 International Interior Design Association (IIDA) - Global Excellence Awards; Best of Category - Cultural/Institutional/Educational
- 2012 Interior Design Magazine - Best of Year Award; Honouree, Education Category
- 2012 North American Copper in Architecture Award
- 2012 International Interior Design Association (IIDA) - 39th Annual Interior Design Competition (IDC); Best of Category - Institutional/Educational
- 2011 Mississauga Urban Design Award - Award of Excellence
- 2011 High Performance New Construction (HPNC) - Commitment to energy-efficiency in Ontario - Certificate of Recognition