McEwen Graduate Studies and Research Building, Toronto, ON, Canada

The Schulich School of Business is ranked #1 in the world in a global ranking of the top 100 Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs that are preparing future leaders for the environmental, social and ethical complexities of modern-day business. This level of social and environmental responsibility also had to be reflected in the design of a significant new classroom and office building for the school, the McEwan Graduate Studies and Research Building.

The architectural concept hinges on a social gathering space which is the hub of the new building and links back to Schulich’s existing building. The climate concept integrates this space by using it as a driver for all ventilation – natural ventilation is pulled through the building by a solar chimney above the atrium, while mechanical ventilation also passes through the atrium and the lower portion of the chimney. The chimney also serves an architectural beacon for the new building.

The high-performance envelope includes triple glazing throughout and fixed overhangs to reduce overall heating and cooling energy consumption while providing superior thermal comfort. Outside of natural ventilation season, radiant heating and cooling combined with minimum ventilation required for air quality (with heat recovery) maintain space conditions.

Transsolar guided overall development of the climate concepts, including validating performance of the radiant systems in conjunction with the façade design, performance recommendations for all key component concepts, and detailed guidance on solar chimney design.

2020 OAA Design Excellence Award
2020 Canadian Green Building Institutional [Large] Award
2020 LEED 2009 New Construction Silver