The building is designed to meet the post-pandemic needs of students with an inclusive, accessible and sustainable space that will foster learning and help fill Canada鈥檚 pressing labour market gaps.

TORONTO, May 1, 2023 鈥� Today, the 91亚色 School of Continuing Studies celebrates the official launch of its new, signature home 鈥� a state-of-the-art building with a unique, twisted design.

This new, dedicated space at 68 The Pond Road on 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus is a testament to the growth of the School, as well as the need for continuing education options to respond to the growing skills gaps and talent shortages in Canada. The six-story, 120,000-square-foot, 50-classroom, building serves as an example of how a post-pandemic learning space can blend in-person and virtual learning formats using the latest technology to support the needs of students.

鈥淭he School of Continuing Studies embodies 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to 21st century learning which identifies access to a high-quality education and global engagement as core components of 91亚色鈥檚 University Academic Plan,鈥� says 91亚色 President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淲e have been a leader in the lifelong learning space since our inception and we had the goal to create dedicated space to accommodate the unique needs of continuing education students locally and from abroad, many of whom are seeking to complement degree programs and/or upgrade and reskill in a labour market that is being profoundly impacted by automation and AI.鈥�

A limited engagement plenary session featured speeches from Lenton and Christine Brooks Cappadocia, interim vice-president of continuing studies at 91亚色 as well as a keynote address from world-champion Canadian hurdler, author, TV host and speaker, Perdita Felicien.

"The 91亚色 School of Continuing Studies is transforming the Canadian workforce by reinventing traditional models of education and transforming barriers to education into opportunities. Our leading edge, cohort programs are co-developed with industry to develop graduates prepared to thrive in a skills-based economy. Last year alone we delivered more than a million hours of learning," says Brooks-Cappadocia.  

In 2018, the architecture firm Perkins&Wills was selected to design the building, led by architects Safdar Abidi and Andrew Frontini. The twisted architecture symbolizes the School鈥檚 twist on the traditional mission of continuing studies to solve Canada鈥檚 most pressing labour market gaps by connecting employers and a highly-skilled, ambitious talent pool through its innovative language and professional programs. 

The structure is built to ensure complete adherence to sustainability in design. The building is designed to LEED Gold, and will be certified accordingly, and meets the City of Toronto Green Standards. Strategies used include a high-performing fa莽ade system, direct outside air system with heat recovery ventilation, and daylight harvesting. The building is well positioned to achieve Net Zero in the future due to its low energy consumption. Additionally, the building is designed with the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability. 

Students, instructors and staff were included in both the scoping and design phases of the project. To ensure the building is meeting the needs of students of different ages, religions and cultural backgrounds we designed the structure with the highest accessibility standards,鈥� says Brooks-Cappadocia.

鈥淔rom having guide rails for students with sight impairment to touch-free surfaces to the lactation room for nursing mothers and a prayer and meditation room. Everyone is welcome and supported in pursuing their educational goals.鈥�

Other key accessibility features to ensure physical requirements for all students include automated doors, standing desks in all classrooms, screens for the visually impaired, elevators, and large hallways spaces for those requiring wheelchair access.  

After nine years of planning, the School of Continuing Studies building is finally uniting its programs, students, instructors and staff under one roof.

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