The Arbour Receives Gold World Architecture News Award

One of Toronto’s most innovative projects–The Arbour at George Brown College–has recently been awarded GOLD at the World Architecture News (WAN) Awards in the Category of ‘Future Projects – Education’. Introba (formerly Integral Group) worked closely with Moriyama & Teshima Architects and Acton Ostry Architects to deliver the award-winning project.

Each year, the WAN Awards welcomes entries from architecture practices from across the globe. All work entered into the WAN Awards are judged by an international panel of leading industry experts and also featured on the World Architecture News editorial website. The Arbour was awarded GOLD in the category of ‘Future Projects – Education’.

The Arbour, anticipated to become Toronto’s first tall wood, low carbon institutional building, will bring a unique deep green element to the George Brown College waterfront campus. The 10-storey state-of-the-art structure will revolutionize Toronto’s building landscape and advance Canada’s sustainability agenda by becoming the first Tall Wood Research Institute in the country, with materials sourced nationally. A net zero carbon target has been set by George Brown College in their commitment to sustainability as well as LEED Gold (minimum) and Toronto Green Standard (TGS) V3 Tier 4.

The building will serve as an educational hub—housing research, teaching and learning—as well as a child care facility to accommodate the rapidly growing local community. The proposed design pays homage to Canada’s signature wood-framed single-family housing, with mass wood and pitched roof components. Occupant wellness and comfort was a priority in design, as the facility features radiant ceilings, under floor air delivery and breathing rooms with solar chimney systems for sustainable, natural light and ventilation. Expandable and contractible walls will allow for flexibility of learning spaces when required. In addition, a smart building system will equip the building with integrated, intelligent and adaptable technology throughout.

Introba is providing mechanical and electrical engineering as well as LEED/TGS consulting for this project. The project was also previously awarded:

• 2019 Azure Magazine AZ Award winner and People’s Choice – Unbuilt Buildings

• 2019 MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Project Award — Sustainability Prize

• 2018 Rethinking the Future Architecture, Construction and Design Award — Institutional Concept

• 2018 Canadian Architect Award of Excellence

Introba also worked closely with CO Architects on the Cal Poly Pomona Student Services Building which came through as a finalist in the Category of ‘Façades’.

To see a complete list of winners, visit the WAN Awards.