THE ORIGINAL CONVOCATION HALL HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO A SERIES OF STUDENT SPACES WITH EXPOSED TIMBER TRUSSES AND STRUCTURAL STEEL REINFORCING WHERE REQUIRED. (IMAGE COURTESY OF NADAAA (LEFT); JOHN HORNER (RIGHT)).

From a building envelope perspective, the challenge was upgrading the envelope to meet current performance goals while respecting the historic context of the existing architecture. The envelope of the existing building was “buttoned up” throughout, while extensive coordination and mock-ups of windows ensured the gothic revival architecture was maintained and still had concealed, modern detailing. Moving the envelope of the building from the floor of the attic up to the gabled roof allowed for a fully conditioned and partially occupied attic space while also improving the performance of the building. Phase Two of the building incorporates extensive areas of green roofs which can also be accessed by students. The upper floor of the new building is dedicated to reconfigurable studio space. Key to the aesthetics and energy efficiency of this space was opening the roof to provide natural daylight throughout. This was achieved through an intricate structural steel roof of “bow-tie” trusses with glazing within the webs of the trusses. These trusses thus serve to meet the sustainability goals of the building while also achieving world-class architecture. The Daniels Building received the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction Award of Excellence, an achievement which the grand roof surely contributed to.

EXPOSED STRUCTURAL STEEL ROOF TRUSSES (TOP) IMAGE: PETER MACCALLUM – COURTESY OF THE DANIELS FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, LANDSCAPE AND DESIGN; (BOTTOM) FINISHED CEILING, IMAGE COURTESY OF JOHN HORNER.

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SPRING 2018 Toronto FOCUS