Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2017 - 10

GOULD STREET

GRAPHIC DETAILS

Certified Green
on Yonge Street
Student Learning Centre earns
LEED certification from Canada
Green Building Council

Ryerson University Magazine / Summer 2017

UNIVERSITY PRESENCE
ON YONGE STREET
The Student Learning
Centre was designed by a
partnership between two
renowned architectural
firms: Snøhetta & Zeidler
Partnership Architects. It
opened in February 2015,
providing much needed
study, co-working, and
social space for students.

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK BLINCH, IMAGE ARTS '06

ryerson's student Learning Centre (SLC) has
not only transformed the face of Yonge Street-it's
also a leader in sustainability.
The SLC achieved LEED Gold status from the Canada
Green Building Council, surpassing the original goal
of LEED Silver compliancy. LEED-certified buildings
are deemed to be resource-efficient (using less water
and energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions)
through an independent certification process.
"This is an expression of our commitment as a
university to carbon footprint reduction," said Saher
Fazilat, assistant vice-president, Facilities Management
and Development. "As a public institution, we have a
commitment to the environment, and having a LEED
Gold certification says a lot about how we're focused on
energy conservation, indoor air quality, student wellness and our academic mission."
The 10-storey, 156,000-square-foot building at
341 Yonge St. includes a green roof, water-conserving
plumbing fixtures, and a roof and ground water collection system designed to harvest storm water.
One of the primary factors in energy efficiency is the
building's transparent, temperature-moderating glass
exterior. In addition to moderating natural light, the
SLC's blinds are programmed to respond to both solar
radiation levels and temperature. "We selected the most
efficient design option for the glazing system to achieve
the most efficient energy savings," said Mike Smith,
senior associate at Zeidler Partnership Architects,
which designed the building with Snøhetta.
"Surveys have shown that the facilities are highly
important for students choosing an institution," said
Fazilat. "As an academic institution, we should have a
commitment to sustainable buildings. The LEED Gold
status ties into our strategic mandate."
"Our role as the designer is to encourage owners to
build more sustainably. Ryerson also has a mandate to
build sustainably. Their goals and our goals aligned,"
said Smith.-Will Sloan

SUSTAINABILITY STAR
SLC achieved LEED Gold status
after surpassing the original goal
of LEED Silver . LEED-certified
buildings are those deemed to
be resource-efficient (using less
water and energy and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions)
through independent certification.

STUDENT INPUT
The all-glass façade was advocated
by students requesting natural light
in a 2008 survey. The frit pattern
on the glass exterior walls is also
a bird strike mitigation technique.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2017