perkins + will completes corten tech building for canadian university campus

the toronto office of perkins + will has completed the technology center within the campus of fleming college in ontario. in canada, there has been increase investments into higher education in hopes to promote gender equity. by using architecture and design as the tool to drive and attract females to study more male-dominated majors, the construction of the kawartha trades and technology building has proved effected in growing its female student applicants.

the form itself is conceived as two interlocking, shed-like volumes
image © tom arban

the addition of the kawartha trades + technology centre (KTTC) is characterized by its four-storey multidisciplinary ‘learning cube’ that mimics a construction site. conceived as two as two interlocking, shed-like volumes, the building is clad in corten steel and fibre reinforced cement panels, presenting a distinctive new face to the campus, which blends harmoniously with the natural surroundings.

the entrance foyer into the building
image © scott norsworthy

perkins + will organized the scheme into split levels that engages the topography of the site. inside, the building houses classrooms, faculty office and administrative spaces. as well as various teaching workshops, bulk project storage, and a large 27,000 sq. ft. flexible multidisciplinary project space called the ‘learning factory’.

image © scott norsworthy

the positioning of the building activates the area as a pedestrian zone, and invites movement from the student residences and sport and wellness centre. inside, a large common area with interactive smart classrooms, lounge areas and presentation spaces overlook the central learning factory. this feature offers a dynamic venue for users of the building and campus alike. since it completion the blueprint of open learning layout, emphasis on ‘transparency’ has been engaging elements that has contributed to a greater sense of physical and emotional safety for female students.
this new 80,000 sf facility brings together theoretical teaching and applied learning in a state-of-the-art facility
image © tom arban

the kttc was designed as a demonstration facility for suitable technologies with geothermal heating and cooling, green
roofs, photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting and various heat recovery systems
image © scott norsworthy