University of Toronto Scarborough Campus’ (UTSC’s) new $52.5 million Environmental Science & Chemistry Building (ESCB) welcomed its first students in autumn of 2015. Contributing to the building’s multiple goals, ROCKFON acoustic stone wool ceiling panels and suspension systems support the University’s architectural vision, functional performance requirements and sustainability criteria, while completing the project within budget and on schedule.
Located on the north campus, ESCB’s science and education research hub offers masters and doctoral programs addressing environmental issues. With respect to the promise of its discipline, the building is designed and built to achieve LEED Gold certification through the Canadian Green Building Council. Once certified, it will be the second building at the University of Toronto Scarborough to attain this international rating.
“It was a mission of mine to achieve the highest possible level of efficiency for this type of energy-use intensive building prior to the design team and contractor coming on board,” said UTSC Facilities Management Department’s project manager, Hovan Stepanian, M.Sc. “Initially, we targeted Silver; however, working with the design team, we were able to fine-tune the various sustainability initiatives to target Gold.”