Upper Canada College Lindsay Boathouse

Toronto, Ontario

In association with VJAA

Sited on a sensitive peninsula within Toronto’s Outer Harbour Marina, this 9,400-square-foot rowing facility establishes a dedicated home for Upper Canada College’s historic rowing program while expanding public access to the adjacent waterfront nature preserve. Developed in partnership with Ports Toronto, the building's massing is organized into three longitudinal volumes topped by a series of expressive concave roof forms that evoke the motion of oars and the buoyancy of hulls.

The structure utilizes a low-carbon mass timber strategy, pairing cross-laminated timber (CLT) vaulted ceiling panels with slender steel framing to create expansive, naturally lit interiors that mimic the lightweight engineering of modern boat construction. The programmatic layout seamlessly integrates two boat storage bays, crew docks, launch areas, change facilities, and a flexible training room designed to convert into a public-oriented community venue. Conceived as a highly sustainable, three-season facility operating without active mechanical heating or cooling, the project prioritizes seasonal natural ventilation, daylighting, bird-safe glazing, and extensive green roofs for advanced stormwater management. The entire site and facility are designed for universal, barrier-free accessibility.

AWARDS

2026 AIA National Architecture Award
2026 AIA National Education Facility Design Award
2026 AZ Awards, Award of Merit - Architecture: Commercial & Institutional Buildings Under 1000 SQM
2025 AN Best of Design Award, Commercial-Sports & Entertainment
2025 Architectural Record Awards, Honorable Mention
2025 Canadian Wood Council Wood Design & Building Awards, Citation Award
2025 Canadian Wood Council Wood Design & Building Awards, WoodWorks Ontario Wood Design Award
2025 The Plan Awards Finalist
2024 AIA Minnesota Honor Award