Here stands Highland Hall, a striking architectural statement. It marks a new gateway to the University of Toronto Scarborough campus. This wasn’t always the case. The university needed a safe and inviting pedestrian entry.
Highland Hall’s design finds inspiration in UTSC’s native topography. It also draws from John Andrews’ original campus architecture. The building boasts a bold new presence along Military Trail. Construction on Highland Hall began to give the university a proper front door.
The five-story Highland Hall cost $52 million. Perkins+Will designed it. It sits between the Student Centre and the new arrival court.
Andrew Arifuzzaman is UTSC’s Chief Administrative Office. He said it brings a front door to a place that doesn’t have one. Highland Hall houses UTSC’s Recruitment and Registrar’s offices. It provides a new home for the social sciences department. This includes modern labs and classrooms. The Hub, UTSC’s entrepreneurial center, is also located here.
The building covers 134,216 square feet. Three UTSC alumni donated $1.3 million to the project. Partners like Paramount Fine Foods also contributed. The campus partnered with the Hammer Heads Program. This is a construction apprenticeship program for youth from under-resourced communities.
Highland Hall transforms the former campus gymnasium. It creates a new locus of learning and social activity. Public space connections weave through the design. They integrate new and renovated spaces. This offers accessible routes through the campus. The Ravine connects the various levels of activity. It supports the formation of new communities.
John Andrews framed the north edge of Highland Creek ravine. He used two striking architectural statements. The Humanities Wing steps toward the ravine. The Science Wing steps away from it. Highland Hall echoes these manipulations. Its volumes are stacked and twisted.
The building’s volumes are clad in brushed aluminum and glass. This contrasts with the rugged concrete architecture. The result is shimmering metallic volumes. They sculpt a new façade for the campus.
The animated public realm lies between the gymnasium and the academic tower. It expands and contracts. This acknowledges the need to move people quickly. It also creates spaces for interaction. Wood-clad stairs lead through the naturally lit space. They offer stops at shared lounges.
The west face of the building features offset upper floors. These project over a landscaped plaza. They frame a new gateway to the South Campus. Concrete columns rise from the plaza. They evoke the native forest. Graphic murals are integrated into the glass façade. They depict maps of the region’s urban geography. These mitigate solar heat gain.
Highland Hall provides additional space for students. It gives the community access to space. The building houses faculty and administrative offices. There are student services and lounges. It has event and study spaces. Two state-of-the-art tiered classrooms are available. The building features a technologically advanced Centre for Teaching and Learning. A Student Commons and multi-use spaces are present. The primary use is for social science departments. The Office of the Registrar is also housed here. Highland Hall boasts a large green roof. An Eco Garden is also visible from the interior.