Shimmering glass facade to encase new Ryerson Student Learning Centre in Toronto
On Wednesday, Ryerson University President Sheldon Levy unveiled the spectacular design of the Ryerson Student Learning Centre, which will be built at the corner of Yonge and Gould Streets. Designed by the acclaimed international architectural team of Zeidler Partnership Architects of Toronto and Snøhetta of Oslo, Norway and New York City, the stunning new building will provide Ryerson students with an outstanding environment in which to study, collaborate and discover.
The eight-storey Student Learning Centre boldly marks Ryerson’s new face on Yonge Street. It will feature a dazzling glass façade, a welcoming elevated plaza, a bridge to the existing library and a range of academic, study and collaborative spaces for Ryerson’s students, faculty and staff. Yonge Street frontage will feature destination retail at and below grade, creating a prominent commercial façade.
“The notion that learning is a static, solitary activity is outmoded,” said, Craig Dykers, principal architect and co-founder, Snøhetta. “While it remains important to find places of introspection, it is also vitally important to create places where people can more actively seek knowledge, where social connections can intertwine and where all forms of activity, quiet and loud, can find a suitable home. The design of the Student Learning Centre is foremost about providing these new and diverse functions.”
With links to the existing Library building, the Student Learning Centre will offer a variety of creative and inspiring learning environments and spaces. Every floor will have its own personality - some will be open and interpretive with flexible furniture and terraces while others will be densely filled with enclosed study rooms for groups of four to eight people. Space will be available for independent, quiet study and contemplation.
The transparent glass skin of the 155,463 sq ft Student Learning Centre will feature a surface design that will create varying light qualities within the interior space. As a further demonstration of
Ryerson’s long-time leadership in sustainability, the building will be LEED Silver compliant and at least 50% of the roof will be a dedicated green roof. Construction on the building is expected to begin late this year, with a targeted completion date of winter 2014.
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