Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) New Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario

With a mandate to safeguard and enhance the health and well-being of watershed communities, TRCA is committed to applying best practices in green building and sustainable design. Designed to achieve zero carbon, Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 or higher, LEED v.4 Platinum and WELL Silver building certifications, TRCA’s new administrative office building will set the standard for sustainable commercial building design and showcase appropriate development within a watershed. The 8,100 square metre, four-storey mass-timber office building will act as a living laboratory for developers, professionals, researchers, and students, as well as accommodate over 400 TRCA staff and provide Development Planning and Permitting services for TRCA’s regulated areas.

Building design features will include:

• A “wood first” design approach that has resulted in a fully wood building including exit stairs, elevator shaft and cladding.
• Four solar chimneys combined with water-carrying transparent air ducts called Waterwalls that will provide tempered air within the building through a raised floor plenum;
• Natural ventilation system that combines the Waterwalls with operable windows;
• Restorative green infrastructure systems, including greenroof, rainwater gardens, bioswales and permeable pavement;
• An integrated geoexchange heat pump and solar thermal panel system

Construction is planned to start in summer 2019, with occupancy scheduled for June 2021.