ZAS Architects, in a joint venture with Bucholz McEvoy Architects, designed the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority?s (TRCA) new headquarters. Sitting adjacent to the Black Creek ravine system, the organization envisioned a holistic and ?wood first? approach with a light-filled and flexible workplace.

TRCA?s new head office in Toronto is made almost entirely out of wood. Its architecture focuses on integration with the surrounding natural environment and TRCA?s desire to create an energy efficient building with comfortable and inspiring work spaces for employees and visitors.
Rendering courtesy of ZAS Architects
From the elevator core to the exterior cladding, the building uses a mass timber structure and will be built almost entirely out of wood. The exposed mass timber structure, wood staircase and elevator core, provides a strong biophilic work environment and acts as a repeated visual reminder of the building?s connection to the natural environment.
The building?s geometry follows the natural topography creating terraces that move with the ravine edge. At each level, views from the south-facing façade pull the ravine edge visually into the core of the project, providing opportunities for employees and visitors to engage with the natural landscape.
The architecture of TRCA?s new office responds sensitively to the ravine context while expressing the mission of the organization. An Urban Woodland will be included as a new public space adjacent to the main entr...