Branching Out

Plans are unveiled for the first mass-timber low-carbon institutional building in Ontario, single-use plastic drink bottles feature in the carpets of Ford’s EcoSport SUV, and a large solar power plant has been completed in the Vietnamese city of Phan Thiet.

- Steve Hill

SETTING AN EXAMPLE

Plans have been unveiled for a 10-storey wood building at George Brown College’s Waterfront Campus in Toronto, where students and researchers will learn to design, construct, operate and monitor climate-friendly buildings.

The Arbour is a C$134 million project that has been part-funded by the Canadian Government’s Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) programme which aims to position the country as a world leader in tall wood construction and the low-carbon economy.

Ontario’s first mass-timber, low-carbon institutional building will use an estimated 3000 cubic metres of wood.

Anne Sado, President of George Brown College, said: “By supporting advancements in wood construction, the federal government is driving innovation in the construction sector and investing in a more sustainable future for all Canadians.

“This support will be vital as George Brown College develops The Arbour – Ontario’s first tall wood, low-carbon institutional building.

“As the home of a research hub focused on mass-timber construction, as well as flexible learning spaces and a community childcare centre, this facility will serve as an example of how we can incorporate sustainability into all aspects of our lives, including where we learn, work and play.”

Carol Phillips, of Moriyama & Teshima Architects, designers of the building, added: “The Arbour ... will open doors for future developments and accelerate the growth of the mass timber industry in Canada by inspiring change.”

The Arbour will house the School of Architectural Studies and the School of Computer Technology. Construction is set to begin in 2021.

SPARKING THE IMAGINATION