'ryerson university's new student learning center' by snøhetta in toronto, canada
all images courtesy ryerson university, snøhetta


the design for ryerson university's new 'student learning centre' by norwegian architects snøhetta
has been unveiled. located at a major intersection of downtown toronto, canada, the eight-storey
facility features a distinctively individual glass skin with a surface design that will create varying
light qualities for the interior. the 14,443 m2 project, a collaborative effort with zeidler partnership architects,
will be a bold addition to the urban fabric, generating commercial opportunities at the street level
as well as below grade.



street view of entrance


partially supported by structural stilts, the main entrance on the south side is met by
an elevated plaza off yonge street. a broken, faceted treatment marks the underside of
the cantilevered volume which continues into the expansive lobby indoors.
featuring a number of open, multifunctional spaces, the center aims to provide a range
of environments that facilitate studying and collaboration between students, faculty and staff.



lobby


'the student learning center will provide bright, open, technologically rich, barrier-free spaces
for individual and collaborative study that will accommodate our students' different learning styles
and our faculties' different teaching practices,' says alan shepard, provost and vice president
academic of ryerson university. 'it will provide our students with a welcoming, accessible,
digitally connected space that is ready to adapt and accommodate new technologies,
developments and services. '

the new student learning center will provide access to the existing library by a bridgeway,
directly integrating the building into the campus' makeup. serving as a continuation of
the school's long-time commitment to sustainability, the facility will be LEED silver compliant
with half of the roof dedicated to urban green space.



lounge



collaborative space



schematic diagram