Historic brick building with large windows and central entrance, bicycles parked in front.

Front view of a historic brick building with large windows and a central entrance. Bicycles are parked in front, and there are stairs leading up to the entrance.

Story

Transforming a Heritage Landmark into a Sustainable Office Space

Located at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus, the FitzGerald Building, originally constructed in 1927, has undergone a significant transformation. This historic structure, designated under the Heritage Act, was reimagined from an outdated laboratory into a modern office environment for the Office of the President and the University’s Central Administration.

The revitalization project, targeting LEED Silver certification, involved comprehensive updates to the building's mechanical and electrical systems, integrating advanced controls technologies to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency. This adaptive reuse project preserves the building's historical essence while meeting contemporary performance standards.

  • Complete renovation of a heritage building into a high-performance office.

  • Integration of new mechanical and electrical systems.

  • Emphasis on sustainability with LEED Silver targeted certification.

  • Adaptive reuse preserving historical architecture.

Fact Detail
Location Toronto, Canada
Architects OMA New York, RDH Architects
Year Completed 2026
Certification LEED Silver Targeted
Original Construction 1927

The FitzGerald Building Revitalization stands as a testament to the potential of contemporary architecture to breathe new life into historic structures, balancing heritage preservation with modern functionality.

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior: The exterior features a combination of historic brick and modern glass extensions.
  • Interior: The interior includes exposed brick walls and modern finishes such as blue flooring and contemporary furniture.

Materials

  • Brick — Used extensively on the exterior facade and interior walls.
  • Glass — Used for large windows and modern extensions.
  • Wood — Used for interior walkways and some furniture.

Construction / Systems

  • Facade System: Combination of historic brick and modern glass extensions.
  • Structural System: Retained historic structure with modern additions.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Brick red, Glass transparency, Blue
  • Lighting: Natural light through large windows and modern lighting fixtures.

Similar projects

More related projects

No similar projects yet.

Projects by the architect

View OMA . RDH

No other projects found for this architect yet.