View Our Progress
Lawson Centre for Sustainability
Construction is well underway for Â鶹ƵµÀ’s new mass timber, zero carbon and LEED platinum building that uses geothermal heating and cooling as well as rooftop photovoltaics and an underground cistern for rainwater collection and reuse. The Lawson Centre for Sustainability will provide critical residential, academic and Â鶹ƵµÀ spaces for the Â鶹ƵµÀ, and features a rooftop farm and a Â鶹ƵµÀ kitchen to make sustainability part of daily life at the College.
- Construction Updates: Highlight of the Week
- Timelapse Photos: Fall 2022 to May 2025
- Timelapse Video: January 2023 to December 2024
- View Our Progress: Construction Logs: October 2022 to March 2025
Construction Updates: Highlight of the Week
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November 5, 2025: Along Devonshire Place, the main entrance to the Lawson Centre for Sustainability is taking shape! Once complete, this work will provide direct barrier-free access to the new building and connectivity to the Gerald Larkin Building and George Ignatieff Theatre. |
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October 24, 2025: Work continues on the new Garden Courtyard, with landscaping designed to feature drought-tolerant and native species that encourage biodiversity. THEN (left: render by Mecanoo) and NOW (right: October 22). |
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October 17, 2025: Progress continues in the Centre Wing (Nevil Thomas Wing) of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability. In the new dining hall, crews are actively installing flooring, wall protection, and wall tiles in preparation for the next phase, which includes setting up food stations, kitchen equipment, and painting. On level two, millwork is being installed in the common areas and Â鶹ƵµÀ kitchen, creating built-in workstations and study spaces. Meanwhile, on the top level, final touches are being added to the event pavilion and indoor urban farm area, including hardware and wall-mounted equipment, ahead of the final painting stage. |
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October 10, 2025: Toronto Skyline – Enjoy the view of the city from the George and Martha Butterfield Rooftop Farm.Ìý |
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October 3, 2025:ÌýPhotos from members of our Â鶹ƵµÀ!
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September 24, 2025: Exterior work is ongoing along Devonshire Place, with progress being made on pathways and building connections. Once complete, this work will provide direct barrier-free access to the Gerald Larkin Building, George Ignatieff Theatre (GIT) and Lawson Centre for Sustainability, while also creating a fully enclosed route linking the buildings. These improvements will significantly enhance accessibility and connectivity across the College campus. Photos: work continues on grading the landscape for the main entrance areas of the (left) GIT and (right) Lawson Centre for Sustainability. |
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September 18, 2025: The Whiteside House: Residence – East Wing of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability has been thoroughly cleaned in preparation for final inspections by Trinity and the architectural consultant. Appliances are being installed in the Whiteside House residence lounges, bringing us one step closer to welcoming residents! Images: One of the residence lounges with full kitchen: THEN (left: render by Mecanoo) and NOW (right: September 17, 2025). DYI: there are designated residence lounges with full kitchens on every floor of each wing of residence, as well as multi-purpose study and activity spaces. |
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September 5, 2025: The Academic Courtyard (between the west wing and the Gerald Larkin Building) is nearing completion, with all major groundwork now finished. Underground heating, concrete paving and final grading have been fully installed, and grass sowing is complete. Tree protection measures have also been removed, preserving a mature maple tree that has successfully weathered the construction process. This resilient tree now anchors the space, offering shade and character to a courtyard designed as a quiet, reflective retreat. As part of a growing network of diverse outdoor spaces on campus, the courtyard will provide a peaceful setting for rest, study and connection with nature. Images: THEN (left: render by Mecanoo) and NOW (right: on August 21, 2025). |
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August 29, 2025: The new Lawson Centre for Sustainability features state-of-the-art areas for research and experiential learning, including our innovative Community Kitchen & teaching space (located on level 2 of the building). THEN (photo left: render by Mecanoo) and NOW (photo right: under construction). DYK: The integration of the George and Martha Butterfield Rooftop Farm and the Community Kitchen will allow for hands-on sustainability and wellness programming, including the Farm-to-Table program! |
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August 22, 2025: This week marks the completion of the landscaping work along the pedestrian pathway between the main Trinity building and the Gerald Larkin Building. The newly installed concrete paving features an integrated snow melt system, which uses underground heating to reduce reliance on chemical deicers during the winter months. By minimizing the use of traditional deicing agents, we help protect local soil and water systems from harmful runoff, while also enhancing safety and walkability for our Â鶹ƵµÀ. |
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August 8, 2025: The main hallway in the West Wing (Arthur Scace Academic Building) is one step closer to welcoming students! The custom millwork is now complete for the new Gay Tugwell & Norman Loveland Welcome Desk at the Devonshire entrance, along with newly installed lockers by the Sunken Lounge. Millwork includes the finely crafted wood elements, such as cabinetry, trim, and built-in furniture, that bring both functionality and design detail to interior spaces. |
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July 31, 2025: Landscaping work is underway along the pedestrian pathway north of the main Trinity building and the Gerald Larkin Building. Did you know? The soft landscaping design (trees, shrubs and grasses) will feature entirely native plantings that support biodiversity, add to our campus pollinator corridor, and serve as ecosystem analogues for teaching and research. |
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July 25, 2025: Hard landscaping is underway around the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, including custom fences and gates along the building’s perimeter. This phase includes built features like fencing and pavers, with soft landscaping – trees, shrubs, and grasses – to follow. Did you know? As part of Trinity’s Integrated Sustainability Initiative, student and faculty research in the St. Hilda’s pollinator garden helped shape the soft landscaping design for the new site, which features native plantings that support biodiversity, add to our campus pollinator corridor, and serve as ecosystem analogues for teaching and research. In fact, the soft landscaping is unique because it features entirely native plants, a practice not commonly seen in landscape design. Photo: bumble bee on a native plant (dense blazing star) in our pollinator garden located on the front lawn at St. Hilda’s College. |
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July 18, 2025: ThenÌý(top images) – main entrance area with the Gay Tugwell-Loveland and Norman Loveland Welcome Desk (renders by Mecanoo); versus NowÌý(lower images) – (left) the Welcome Desk under construction (June 25, 2025) and (right) view of the main entrance to the Lawson Centre for Sustainability from Devonshire Place (July 15, 2025). What will the other spaces look like? >> View more architectural renders here! |
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June 27, 2025: Work has started along Devonshire Place, where crews have completed the installation of soil cells and are currently excavating for the retaining walls that will shape the main entrance of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability (photos: June 26, 2025). Did you know? Soil cells are underground support systems that help trees thrive in urban environments. They also naturally manage stormwater by absorbing and filtering rainwater, which reduces runoff, prevents flooding and improves water quality. |
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June 20, 2025: On Level 2 of the Centre Wing (Nevil Thomas Wing), which houses the Community Kitchen and Kearns Royce Fireplace Lounge, most mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is complete. Only a few final components are still awaiting delivery. Did you know? Mass timber panels and beams are precision-engineered off-site and arrive with pre-cut openings for pipes, wires and ducts (as shown in the photo). This smart design means crews don’t need to drill or cut on-site. Instead, they can simply thread systems through the ready-made paths, saving time, reducing waste and preserving the structural integrity of the wood. >> |
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June 13, 2025: The Lawson Centre for Sustainability’s heating and cooling loop has been completely flushed and cleaned. The loop is a crucial component of our geothermal energy system, which utilizes the Earth’s stable temperature to efficiently heat and cool the building throughout the year. #FlashBackFriday: Photo above shows excavation and geothermal work: the drilling of geothermal boreholes and all tie-ins were finished at the end of March 2023. The tie-ins will be connected to the new building once construction is finished. Did you know: A total of 57 boreholes were drilled, which is equal to 11 km worth of geothermal exchange capacity! |
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June 6, 2025: Elevator installations are currently in progress in both the West (Arthur Scace Academic Building) and Centre (Nevil Thomas Wing) Wings. This represents a significant step toward full building functionality and ensures accessibility for all members of our Â鶹ƵµÀ. Meanwhile, the roof installation in the Centre Wing is close to completion. Once finished, the high-performance, well-insulated roof will help reduce heat loss and enhance long-term energy efficiency. View Our Progress: view of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability from Devonshire Place: Then (top) architectural render & Now (lower) May 31, 2025. |
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May 23, 2025: The scaffolding is off the front! Now you can see the beautiful local brick right from Devonshire. Inside, steady progress is being made in the West Wing (Moran House Residence, Levels 2-4) with taping, sanding, priming, and painting at various stages of completion across multiple levels. In the East Wing (Whiteside House), soft startup and commissioning of the air handling units are in progress, and air balancing in the suites has started, ensuring optimal indoor air quality. Did you know? Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a significant impact on mood and productivity. The Lawson Centre for Sustainability features demand-controlled ventilation, which adjusts the fresh air intake based on occupancy, reducing energy consumption while maintaining optimal IAQ. (Photo: May 22, 2025) |
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May 15, 2025: Masonry work on the south side of the West Wing (Arthur Scace Academic Building) is now complete, and installation has begun on the west side. Nearly all windows are in place, bringing us one step closer to a fully enclosed building. Did you know: Increased access to natural light and views to the outdoors has been shown to support well-being, focus and productivity – key benefits for future building users! Images: architectural renders by Mecanoo – sunken lounge (top) and seminar room (bottom) feature large windows and proximity to nature to promote health and wellness. >> View more renders |
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May 9, 2025: On Level 4 of the Centre Wing (Nevil Thomas Wing: shown on bottom photo), which houses the marquis rooftop event pavilion, the rough-in work for washrooms is in progress. Did you know? The Lawson Centre for Sustainability features low-use systems for flushing toilets and urinals, including the use of greywater for toilet flushing in common public-facing areas. Greywater is collected from a large stormwater retention tank under the playing field. Photos >> Then (top) installation of the cistern for stormwater/rainwater collection and reuse in May 2023; and Now (bottom): view of the construction site in April 2025. Learn more about the building’s sustainability features |
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May 2, 2025: On Level 2 of the Centre Wing (Nevil Thomas Wing), which includes the Community Kitchen and Kearns Royce Fireplace Lounge, drywall framing is nearly finished. In the West Wing (Arthur Scace Academic Building), the framing of the green wall near the entrance to the George Ignatieff Theatre is underway. Photo (above): Scaffolding assembled on the West Wing in preparation for cladding with local brick from Cambridge. Did you know: almost all major building materials are sourced in Ontario, including mass timber, compressed bricks and limestone! (Photo: April 28, 2025) |
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April 25, 2025: Significant progress is being made across all wings, and we are excited to see our vision coming to life. Final touches like painting and millwork are in progress in the East Wing (Whiteside House). In the Centre Wing (Nevil Thomas Wing), the new marquis event space on the fourth floor is coming together; the canopy structure for the outdoor terrace was finished last week. Meanwhile, window installation in the West Wing (Arthur Scace Academic Building) is nearly completed. Did you know: all the windows of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability are treated with bird-safe marker dots? These visual markers are proven to decrease and eliminate bird collisions. (Image: architectural render of the new building with labels on main areas and entrances) |
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April 17, 2025: For Earth Day (April 22), let’s take a look at the sustainability building features (image above) of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability. What makes the new academic and residence building truly unique is that it features all the major sustainability components in one facility, including mass timber, geothermal exchange system, rooftop photovoltaic array and rooftop farm, and takes into account student wellness and accessibility with low-tech, passive and high-efficiency design. A zero-carbon and targeting LEED Platinum facility, the building is one of the first to use mass timber for residential construction. In addition, almost all major building materials are sourced in Ontario, including mass timber, compressed bricks and limestone. The leading-edge building also serves as the home-base for Trinity’s Integrated Sustainability Initiative. |
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April 11, 2025: Work on the Lawson Centre for Sustainability continues at a steady pace and we are excited to see how our new building will transform the Trinity campus! Top row (left) aerial view of the construction site and (right) Provost Nicholas Terpstra joins a construction site tour – the group poses for a photo on the George & Martha Butterfield Rooftop Farm; Middle row (left) view from Devonshire Place of the Arthur Scace Academic Building (west wing), and (right) exterior view of the Nevil Thomas Wing (centre wing), with Whiteside House (east wing) on the right; Lower row (left) one of the residence rooms (ensuite studio), and (right) one of the academic spaces (W.B.G. Humphries Lecture Hall). Learn more about the building and view architectural renders here. |
Bird’s-Eye View of the Construction Site
The solar-powered camera looks westward from Philosopher’s Walk to capture photos of the entire construction site: Â鶹ƵµÀ proper is on the left (south); the Gerald Larkin Building is on the far left (along Devonshire Place); the construction zone is in the centre (north field and former parking lot); and the U of T Varsity Centre is on the right (north).
Photos from the Timelapse Camera: Fall 2022 to May 2025
Construction Site: Fall 2022
Timelapse Video: 2 Years – Construction Site, January 9, 2023 to December 31, 2024
View Our Progress: Construction LogÌý
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October 2024 to March 2025 Mass timber installed, and interior & façade work continues
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July 2024 to September 2024 Mass timber installation, residence rooms & interior work
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April to June 2024 Whiteside House (East Wing)
Nevil Thomas Wing (Centre Wing)
All Locations: Mechanical and electrical fit-out – ongoing. |
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January to March 2024 Foundation work, concrete structures and mass timber
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One-Year Timelapse: January 9, 2023 to January 9, 2024 Marking the first year with our solar-powered camera! View the timelapse video of the construction site (Jan. 9, 2023 to Jan. 9, 2024): from preliminary excavation, geothermal drilling, site servicing work, and installation of rainwater cistern, to cranes assembly, bulk excavation, foundation work across building footprint, pouring of concrete structures to the first delivery of mass timber!Ìý (Content warning: this video contains flashing images as part of the timelapse) |
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October to December 2023 Excavation, foundation work & concrete structures
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View our Progress over the First Year of Construction: Fall 2022 to September 2023 |
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July to September 2023 Bulk excavation and foundation work across building footprint
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April to June 2023 Site servicing work completed, cistern installed and cranes assembled
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January to March 2023 Preliminary excavation, geothermal drilling & site servicing work
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October to December 2022 Mobilization & Site Preparations
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View Construction Updates