3XN, in collaboration with Arcadis IBI, has revealed the design for a new, unified Rotman Commerce Building at the University of Toronto. The building aims to prepare students for professional life after university by fueling both learning and networking through open and interconnected spaces. 

The current Rotman Commerce program is dispersed across four separate sites across the school’s St. George campus. The new 92,000-square-foot building will comprise five levels above ground and two levels below. It will host a variety of learning spaces, staff offices, and a 200-seat event space. 

The building’s design is guided by the principle that optimum learning is supported by flexibility, transparency, and interaction. As one moves through the building, the social levels shift, from the lower levels to the more private and quiet areas towards the top. 

The Rotman Commerce Building is designed in line with the University of Toronto’s Climate Positive Campus initiative, which pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to at least 37% below its 1990 level by 2030 and become a climate-positive campus by 2050. This goal aims to be met through stormwater management, optimization of solar shading, the use of green roofs, low-maintenance native plantings, and a cistern. The project is also targeting LEED Silver certification, the WELL Building Standard, and will follow Toronto Green Standards Version 4.0 Tier 1 minimum.