The Lawson Centre for Sustainability at Trinity College, University of Toronto, has been recognized with a 2025 Holcim Foundation Award, celebrating projects that push the boundaries of sustainable design and construction worldwide.
Designed by Mecanoo in collaboration with RDHA, the Lawson Centre reimagines what a university building can be. Rooted in Trinity’s values of collegial and sustainable living, it serves as a ‘living laboratory’ where students are both participants in and beneficiaries of a holistic approach to creating healthy, low-impact environments for learning and living.
The project integrates a wide range of academic and residential functions. Six seminar rooms, faculty offices, and flexible event and learning spaces support academic life, while shared communal areas—including a new cafeteria and community kitchen—foster connection between in-residence and off-campus students. Housing 350 students in a mix of studio, single, and double dorm rooms, the residence floors are organized in clusters to encourage social interaction. Each level also features student lounges, kitchens, and activity rooms to enrich daily life and community engagement.
Targeting LEED Platinum and CaGBC Zero Carbon Building certification, the Lawson Centre incorporates hybrid mass timber construction, a high-performance building envelope, geothermal heating and cooling, all-electric systems, and provisions for 1,300 m² of rooftop solar PV panels. A 1,400 m² rooftop urban farm and greenhouse further demonstrate the project’s commitment to circular food systems, providing fresh produce for the Trinity College food service program.
Blending academic excellence with sustainable innovation, the Lawson Centre creates an environment where scholarship and sustainability thrive together—advancing Trinity College’s mission to cultivate global citizenship and leadership in sustainability.
The 2025 Holcim Foundation Awards celebrate exemplary projects across five continents that embody innovation, circularity, and social inclusion. The regional Grand Prizes will be announced in Venice on November 20, 2025.
Read more on the 2025 Holcim Foundation Award winners here.