Articles tagged with "Sustainability"

Lambton College is set to construct a new student residence, the largest project in its history, through a public-private partnership with Tilbury Properties Corporation and Fengate Asset Management. The residence, expected to open in September 2027, is designed to offer a mix of suite styles and amenities to support student life and attract new students. This initiative aims to strengthen the community and support the college’s financial sustainability. The project will be financed and constructed by Tilbury and Fengate, with Teeple Architects and Ball Construction handling design and building respectively.

The City of Toronto has begun construction on the Western North York Community Recreation & Child Care Centre, an 80,000 square foot net zero facility. Set to open in 2028, the center will feature numerous amenities including pools, childcare, fitness areas, and community spaces. The project emphasizes sustainability with features like geothermal heating, low carbon concrete, and solar power. It aims to be a hub for community activities and has already been recognized with an architectural innovation award.

Cyclic Materials, a Canadian startup, is planning a US$25-million magnet recycling facility in Kingston, Ontario. The 140,000-square-foot plant will house a research and development center and commence processing 500 tonnes of rare-earth elements annually by early 2026. This facility will play a pivotal role in the energy transition by recycling materials for EV motors, wind turbines, and more. Cyclic also plans to open its first commercial REE recycling facility in Mesa, Arizona by 2026.

Englobe plans to acquire Cambium, a consulting engineering firm based in Peterborough, Ontario, which specializes in environmental and geotechnical services. The acquisition aims to increase Englobe's service capacity in the ecological sector, with Cambium operating as a separate division. This marks Englobe's third acquisition in 2025, aligning with their strategy to expand their market reach in Ontario and beyond.

Giatec, a digital concrete technology platform, has formed a strategic partnership with Sika AG, a specialty chemicals company. This collaboration aims to advance smart testing technologies and the real-time analysis of concrete data, enhancing quality and sustainability in concrete construction. Giatec expects this investment to boost global adoption of its technologies and plans to expand further into European and international markets. The partnership aims to improve efficiency and reduce carbon footprint in the construction industry.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) announced the winners of its 2025 Award of Excellence competition, which focuses on sustainable development practices. Canadian towers honored include T3 Bayside, Alberni by Kengo Kuma, Ontario Court of Justice, TD Terrace, and CIBC Square. The award categories highlight buildings that use low-carbon materials and innovative designs in sustainable urbanism, with submissions required to include data on carbon and material usage as part of a pilot program. The awards cover projects across 20 countries, showcasing leadership in vertical urbanism.

Waterfront Toronto has awarded GHD and SLA the role of prime consultant for the design of a new island community, Ookwemin Minising, derived from an extensive flood protection and river restoration project. This new development is planned to host over 15,000 residents and focuses on sustainable and adaptive infrastructure inspired by nature and global precedents. The design incorporates principles of climate-adaptive urbanism and aims to enhance biodiversity, manage stormwater, and integrate historical and cultural elements. The project will include contributions from several industry-leading consultants.

GHD and SLA have partnered to design the infrastructure and streetscape for Ookwemin Minising, a new island community in Toronto. The project aims to create a sustainable and resilient urban environment, integrating cultural and ecological elements. Drawing inspiration from international examples and Indigenous knowledge, the design will focus on climate-adaptive urbanism and vibrant public spaces. The island is expected to house over 15,000 people, with the first residents moving in by 2031.

WZMH Architects, a Toronto-based architectural firm, is addressing the lack of developable land in the city by proposing innovative housing solutions. One key idea, called ELEVATE, involves constructing buildings on stilts over underutilized areas like parking lots of public and Catholic schools. These creative solutions aim to maximize space in highly sought-after locations within Toronto.

GHD and SLA have been selected by Waterfront Toronto as the prime consultant and design lead, respectively, for the infrastructure and streetscape design of Ookwemin Minising, a new island community in Toronto. The project aims to integrate innovative engineering and responsive design, inspired by local Indigenous knowledge, to create a sustainable, low-carbon urban environment. Also, the team will focus on enhancing biodiversity and community interaction through its 'Growing Streets' concept. The new island will house over 15,000 residents and transform Toronto's waterfront area by 2031.

The article discusses the role of Canadian architecture educators in addressing housing affordability and how architectural education is adapting to tackle issues of social responsibility, sustainability, and innovation. With insights from educators at the University of Waterloo and the University of Manitoba, it highlights research collaborations and design projects that address the housing crisis, including inclusive design and tiny homes as emergency shelters. The discussion underscores the importance of community engagement and collaboration with professionals to find practical housing solutions.

There is ongoing opposition to a nuclear waste burial project at Chalk River, led by Indigenous leaders and elected officials. The Kebaowek community has been opposing this project for nearly a decade due to environmental and rights concerns. The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories argue that their project poses no contamination risk, but a Federal Court has acknowledged the lack of proper consultation with the Indigenous communities. Various advocacy groups and municipalities are also voicing their opposition to this project being built close to the Ottawa River.