Trinity College - Toronto, ON

Trinity College – New Student Residence & Academic Building

Set within the historic Trinity College campus at 15 Devonshire Place in Toronto, ON, the Lawson Centre for Sustainability is a distinctive academic and student residence building designed around performance, sustainability, and modern student living. The 165,000-square-foot facility, designed by RDHA in collaboration with Mecanoo Architecten, features a hybrid mass timber, steel, and concrete structure clad in local brick and limestone. It provides 339 student residence spaces plus academic, community, and dining areas, including study spaces, classrooms, and lounges overlooking gardens and green roofs, supported by campus food services and rooftop farm.

Scope

Interior caulking: wet fixtures, counters, tile and shower joints, millwork joints, interior masonry control joints
Interior sealing: top of non-rated masonry, architectural louvres, interior of exterior windows, door frames
Exterior caulking: masonry joints including both vertical and shelf angle joints and architectural louvres
Firestopping: top of concrete block walls, cross laminated slab perimeter
Spyder lift for access in a courtyard area
Expansion joints

Complex Firestopping Conditions

One of the more technical aspects of this project involved the cross laminated timber (CLT) system, an engineered wood product known for being lightweight yet strong, with superior acoustic, fire, structural movement, and thermal performance characteristics. The design required a tight interface between floor and wall assemblies, which called for careful coordination during installation.

Mineral wool was used as the backing material within the firestop assemblies, allowing the system to be installed effectively on site while maintaining the intended performance and meeting project requirements. This ensured the work met full ULC fire-rated requirements while aligning with the building design and code compliance.

Expansion Joint Expertise

Another challenge on this project was the installation and alignment of expansion joint systems across varying conditions. Flat stock materials, typically supplied in 10-foot lengths, had to be carefully adjusted to match surfaces that are rarely perfectly level in concrete and masonry construction. Proper shimming and alignment were required to ensure finishes were flush, continuous, and properly supported.

These conditions became more complex due to multiple material transitions, including carpet, tile, walls, and ceilings. Each area required the correct cover plate type and thickness to suit the finish and movement requirements. Selecting and installing the correct system for each condition was essential to ensure both performance and a consistent architectural finish throughout the building.

Integrated Building Performance

The Lawson Centre for Sustainability was designed as a model of sustainable building practice, targeting LEED Platinum and Zero Carbon Building certification. Key features include hybrid mass timber construction, local brick and limestone, recycled and durable materials, geothermal heating and cooling, rooftop solar panels, chilled beams, all-electric kitchens, and water-efficient systems with grey water reuse. The building also incorporates efficient ventilation and lighting systems, non-toxic materials, barrier-free design, exposed wood and natural light, and green roofs with native species supported by rainwater reuse systems and bicycle facilities connected to public transit.

These performance goals depend on correct installation practices across every trade. Firestopping, caulking, and expansion joint systems all play a direct role in maintaining the building’s envelope integrity, safety, and long-term durability. Each installation required careful coordination to ensure compliance and alignment with the overall design intent.

Built for Complex Projects

Projects like the Lawson Centre require experience, adaptability, and a clear understanding of how building systems work together. Beverly Caulking delivers professional caulking and firestopping services with the reliability and technical capability needed for complex commercial and institutional builds, including the use of specialized equipment such as a Spyder lift for safe access in courtyard areas. These kinds of conditions highlight the importance of coordinated, precise installation to support overall building performance from the ground up.