ZAS Architects, in collaboration with Denmark-based CEBRA Architecture, has unveiled the design for a new student-centered learning and support hub at the University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (UTSC). The new facility is a "learning landscape" that encourages flexible education through an authentically complex arrangement of rooms and public space. 

"We envisioned a truly flexible environment that broke down traditional pedagogies and instead, encouraged a fluid learning experience unconfined by the walls of the classroom," said Paul Stevens, Founder, and Senior Principal at ZAS Architects in a statement. "Peer-to-peer learning is emulated in all aspects of the design."

The design embraces an expansive use of multiple levels, with clear vertical views throughout the building, allowing users an interconnected sense of fluidity. The program consists of 21 classrooms of various sizes and configurations ranging from a 500-seat auditorium to more intimate 24-seat learning environments.

The building's exterior uses a framed grid that outlines four distinct facade materials. Moreover, the grids mirror the diversity of spaces housed within the new facility. The lower level is wrapped with recessed glazing, seeking to give the structure a hovering effect. Two rooftop gardens also connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, providing more space for student engagement and public participation.

"Ultimately, this project is about more than classrooms. It’s about student support, both physically and mentally," said Peter Duckworth-Pilkington, Principal at ZAS Architects. ”Dedicating a state-of-the-art, central floor to student health sends a powerful message that well-being needs are not just accommodated at the University of Toronto, they are being prioritized."