Projects

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning

Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning

Toronto, Ontario
United States
Peter-Gilgan-Centre

The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning is a medical research and education leader, with facilities scattered throughout Downtown Toronto.

To stay at the leading edge of research, SickKids™ is consolidating research and education in a new 21-story, 750,000 ft² state-of-the-art facilities. Approximately 2,000 staff was relocated to the new facility when it opened in the spring of 2013.

The $400M high-rise tower includes 17 floors of lab space with high-tech equipment to aid in their breakthrough research and progressive learning. Different research areas are reflected in seven “neighborhoods” of science that span two to three floors and are connected by atrium spaces to encourage cross-collaboration. The tower also houses new learning and teaching facilities for SickKids™ Learning Institute, including a 250-seat lecture theatre, flexible learning spaces, and a display area. The facility also includes a tele-education area, meeting rooms, and two new pathways to connect the Research and Learning Tower to SickKids™ McMaster and Atrium buildings.

Introba (formerly Integral Group) has been retained as a consultant for sustainability, energy modeling to predict anticipated building performance, and LEED consulting and facilitation services. Since research laboratories usually expend large amounts of energy, extensive planning was required to reduce energy consumption. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of lab ventilation systems was performed to demonstrate the viability of displacement and variable refrigerant flow ventilation systems in labs. By using these innovative ventilation systems, energy efficiency was significantly increased.

Introba, in collaboration with its partner BuildingWise has also provided LEED EB: O+M and LEED CI consulting services. As part of the process, our team regularly connected with the occupants to establish required policies and procedures to meet the hospital’s minimum sustainability, energy, and water use reduction requirements.

The project comprises several sustainability initiatives, including energy recovery systems, low-emitting materials, bike racks, and showers to encourage commuting and rainwater harvesting to reduce the demand on the municipal infrastructure system. Incorporating a high-performance envelope to reduce the overall size of the mechanical cooling and heating systems is a demonstration of addressing energy consumption by passive rather than active means. The building is also designed to connect to the local district steam energy system, further enhancing energy efficiency.

Sustainability

  • LEED NC Gold certified; EB: O&M & CI

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