Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research

The Terrence Donnelly Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Research Building is located in Toronto, Canada, or more simply known as the TDCCBR building. Designed by architectsAlliance and Behnisch Architekten, it was completed in 2006 and has received numerous awards. When first looking at this building, I noticed many similarities with other projects on this assignment. It is in an urban setting. The urban settings tend to be historic. It serves as an educational/research facility. After these basic similarities, it becomes apparent how much thought and planning when into the design.
Site:
Located in the middle of an already dense neighborhood, it fits snuggly between existing buildings. It was designed as a thoroughfare for the public to connect the city center to the south and the university campus to the north. It also connects to the neighboring buildings with walkways and glass bridges. The footprint isn’t very large. Most is a walkway and plantings. The TDCCBR is 12 stories tall, much taller than the closest surrounding buildings. Total square footage comes in around 250,000 sq. ft for a cost of $86 million.

Geometry:
The building is comprised of two vertically stacked volumes. The sixth level divides these. Mechanical systems are located on this level to allow for more open floor plans and a shallower floor plate. The upper level mechanical is located in a stainless-steel enclosure located on the roof. It’s shape is less rigid than the rest of the building.

Views:
Standing taller than the surrounding buildings, the upper levels offer amazing views of the city while the lower levels are surrounded by bamboo and plenty of natural light. The entire building is kept very minimal allowing the light, vegetation and materials to provide a soothing view from any where in the building. Transparency and connectivity were key for the interior. The façade is glass and provides views to all sides but it is so complex it requires it’s own section.

Façade:
Each side of the building was treated differently. The main façade of the building faces south. It is double glazed to create acoustic and solar control while providing a textured transparency. The east façade is clad in color-laminated glass. The west façade is glazed with patterned ceramic-fritted glass. This glazing provides additional privacy and shading to meet the needs of the program. The east and west facades also engage the neighboring buildings into their design with glass reaching over to enclose the space.

Materials and Color:
To differentiate the various levels, each lab has it’s own color and millwork. Various multi-story gardens add a splash of green to the various work stations. Yellow, blue, orange and red add color to both the east and west facades. The interior is laid out to remain informal and allow for collaboration amongst colleagues. Different colors and lighting further differentiate these spaces. Exposed concrete, white ceilings and colorful partitions work together to create a beautiful work environment.

Circulation:
A large concourse brings you into the building through gardens and neighboring buildings. The granite paving starts in the exterior and continues inside. The atrium is five stories high, incorporating the next door Rosebrugh building. 45 foot tall bamboo line the bath. Since it was designed as a thoroughfare, the main circulation path runs north-south through out the entire building. A connection of the ground floor connects to the Medical Science Building while a glass bridge connects the sixth floor to it. Another connection links it to the Rosebrugh building.

Sustainability:
With little time to continue research, the TDCCBR building has figured everything out. The entire building is divided into different energy zones. Separating the labs from the common areas allowed a decrease in energy while increasing the ventilation. The south façade is made up of an exterior single-glazed skin, 2 ½’ of air space and than a double-glazed interior skin. Retractable louvers work to also control heat gain. Operable windows and sun blinds can be controlled by individuals or by computerized building system. Natural ventilation takes care of the corridors and gardens. The gardens throughout provide additional oxygen and moisture into the air.

At that’s just the beginning. I have never been to Toronto and would be interested in looking at more of the surrounding site and how it really fits in. The research I’ve looked at mentions the mix of modern and historic to the Toronto skyline.