New Science Building

How can a lab building outperform its inherently intensive energy demands and defer to a bucolic campus?

The New Science Building at UTM sets a standard for green wet lab design as one of the most energy-efficient biological and chemical laboratory facilities in North America.

As both undergraduate and graduate enrollment continues to grow, the Province, University, and local philanthropists have made cornerstone investments in facilities for research and education. As part of this ambitious expansion, UTM commissioned a cutting-edge building that would meet the evolving needs of its research community and establish a transparent and welcoming beacon on campus. Located on a previously undeveloped site, the building is strategically connected to the pre-existing Davis Building, seamlessly incorporating it into the academic core of campus. 

The design prioritizes connection at every level. Extensive interior glazing transforms laboratories into showcases of scientific discovery, allowing researchers and visitors alike to witness research innovation in action. The design deliberately inverts conventional academic hierarchies by positioning private offices away from prime exterior locations, instead granting generous views to public areas and graduate student spaces throughout the building. 

Collaboration drives both the building’s physical organization and its operational philosophy. Flexible laboratory spaces flow seamlessly into one another, enabling spontaneous interactions between Principal Investigators from different disciplines.  

The Science Building’s design aligns with UTM’s ambitious Grow Smart, Grow Green initiative and the university’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint to 37% below 1990 levels by 2030. The design team confronted the inherent energy challenges of laboratory buildings, which require significant air exchange rates, through innovative strategies including low-velocity fume hoods, sophisticated air quality monitoring, heat recovery systems, and demand-controlled ventilation.