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Designed by the architectural team of Zeidler and Snøhetta, the stunning Toronto Metropolitan University Student Learning Centre  in downtown Toronto.

Flynn received the prestigious “Project of the Year” award from the Society of Facade Engineers for its work on the TMU building.

The triple glazed transparent glass skin of the 155,000 square-foot Student Learning Centre features a surface design consisting of a unique glass digital frit pattern that creates varying light qualities within the interior space. A Flynn custom unitized curtain wall system (60% recycled aluminum content) was designed for the project, the curtain wall was engineered and tested to accommodate the complex varying façade tilt angles and sloped skylights including an integrated mullion detail to accommodate interior mechanical sun shading. The unique glass frit pattern was required to transition onto the adjoining aluminum panel at the North elevation and Flynn working with a specialist supplier achieved this effectively through perforating the pattern into the metal panel.

Focal point

Another distinctive, unique and complex feature of the building is the custom blue faceted dome ceiling and soffit designed and executed in Flynn Accumet panel system. The initial intent was for a ceramic blue tile however working with Zeidler/Snøhetta at the early design stage Flynn’s technical advisers put forward a number of panel mockups and material alternatives, Flynn’s Accumet System comprising of lightweight Alpolic-FR (Fire Rated) Prismatic finish ACM in a custom colour was the final choice. The ceiling needed to be light weight, meet fire code and also accommodate the unique triangular multi-faceted shape and enable cutouts to accommodate mineral fiber acoustic in-fills while maintaining panel integrity and stability.

Flynn Total Building Envelope

Offsite construction, detailing and execution of the envelope scopes as an integrated entity was paramount to the performance and esthetic for this project and a Flynn total envelope proposal was chosen. Glazing & panels were modeled in 3D software using INVENTOR.

Flynn completed the total envelope including the roofing and green roof. Notwithstanding the complexities as outlined above this was a very restricted site at one of the busiest locations in downtown Toronto where logistics and safety were major challenges for the project.

As a further demonstration of TMU’s long-time leadership in sustainability, the building is LEED® Silver compliant. At least 50 per cent of the roof is a dedicated green roof.

The accompanying photos show the architectural uniqueness of Zeidler and Snohetta’s design and complexity of the façade and the design, engineering, skills and attention to detail and workmanship of Flynn’s glazing and metals trades.