Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters

Set back from Toronto’s Black Creek Ravine, the new TRCA headquarters provides 8,253 m² of open plan office space for more than 400 staff. Conceived as both workplace and environmental demonstration project, the building integrates staff and visitors directly into “the heart of the watershed,” offering a tangible model for reimagining urban design in harmony with natural systems.

The form of the building responds to the ravine’s water, forestation, and topography. Generous setbacks from the woodland preserve ecological integrity, while the crystalline geometry of the massing reinforces site characteristics. A restored landscape weaves around the structure, enhancing the interaction of the urban realm with nature.

Wood defines both structure and expression. A glulam post-and-beam frame with CLT floor slabs rises from a concrete base, with lateral stability provided by mass timber stair cores and exposed timber bracing. Atrium roof elements moderate light and air, reflecting daylight deep into the plan while directing exhaust to solar chimneys. Ontario-sourced Eastern White Cedar clads the exterior, finished with natural weathering treatments and Shou Sugi Ban charred components. Internally, a palette of spruce, oak, and maple provides structural performance, tactile warmth, and crafted detail across stairs, partitions, and millwork.

Biophilic design strategies—visual connections to the ravine, wood finishes, abundant daylight, and natural ventilation—support health and well-being in the collaborative workspace. Certified as a Net Zero Carbon Building by the Canada Green Building Council, the project targets WELL v2, LEED Platinum, and Toronto Green Standard certification, demonstrating wood’s capacity to deliver performance, sustainability, and design excellence on a sensitive site.