Awards

2002 Governor General of Canada,
Award for Architecture

2002 Lieutenant Governor of BC,
Medal for Excellence

2002 World Architecture,
International Green Building Award

York University is a 1970's era campus that has grown to become one of Canada's largest universities, with over 45,000 students. Responding to a surge in enrollment pressure, in 1998 they commissioned Busby Perkins+Will, in joint venture with Van Nostrand DiCastri Architects, to design a new dedicated Computer Science facility.

The University directed us to design a warm, open welcoming facility that would be simple and flexible enough to accommodate unpredictable future technology. An additional objective evolved out of the design process: this would be the first new institutional project in Ontario that would be "green", with a design based on a commitment to achieving environmental sustainability objectives. Busby Perkins+Will Architects have developed a number of "green" projects on the west coast; this project offered us the opportunity to prove the design approach could work in a "cold weather" climate. The building is also one of the three Canadian submissions to International Green Building Challenge 2000. The urban design resolution is based on realizing the potential of this infill site. The south elevation of the building enhances Campus Walk, York University's main grade level circulation route. Snow, wind, and rain protection are provided and extended to adjacent buildings east and west. The Computer Science facility opens up with a large glass elevation, a welcoming entry and open circulation space.

The building is organized around three functional components. A two level lecture block is located just inside the building. Computer laboratories are placed on the north facade to capture efficiencies in energy consumption and communications systems. Faculty and research offices are stacked in a flexible wing that parallels the main circulation space.