The University of Toronto’s Academic Wood Tower, located on the St. George campus, is set to become North America's tallest mass timber and steel hybrid building. This 14-storey structure, developed by the University and designed by Patkau Architects in collaboration with MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, will provide a range of academic and event spaces, including office areas, meeting rooms, labs, classrooms, and a banquet hall with a 180-person capacity. A fully glazed north façade frames panoramic views of the Toronto skyline, showcasing exposed timber and architectural detailing.

The tower’s structural system is distinguished by its use of Western Archrib’s glued-laminated columns, beams, and panels, demonstrating the capacity of engineered wood in tall building construction.

Sustainability is a central aspect of the project, with mass timber contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and enhanced construction efficiency.

Western Archrib supplied all the prefabricated glulam components to Timber Systems, including many pre-installed steel connections to streamline on-site assembly.

Through this project, the University of Toronto is advancing sustainable construction and demonstrating the feasibility of mass timber in high-rise applications, while creating an iconic structure that elevates the campus’s architectural landscape.  

The project team includes:

Developer: University of Toronto

Architect: Patkau Architects, MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects

Landscape Architect: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects

Structural Engineer of Record: Blackwell

General Contractor: Pomerleau

Planning: Bousfields

Mass Timber: Western Archrib and Timber Systems in Collaboration

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