Ryerson University’s Student Learning Centre in Toronto is an eight-storey building designed by Zeidler Partnership Architects and Snøhetta. It features glass façades that cover 50,000 ft2, which represents 60% of the exterior of the building. For this project, the architectural team wanted to meet LEED requirements while preserving as much natural light as possible.

They therefore opted for a combination of digitally printed glass, triple insulating glass units and low-e coating. This combination of glass products, more specifically the pairing of insulating glass and low-e coating, provides thermal control that ensures occupant comfort. As for the printed design, it is safe for birds and reduces glare, which is a definite advantage for students using these spaces, especially those with computers.

The execution of a project such as Ryerson’s Student Learning Centre constitutes a great example of what can be accomplished when all parties share a common goal. Creating an innovative design, meeting performance criteria and adhering to a budget are tasks that are difficult to bring together for a given project. In this particular case, the printed glass allowed Prelco to help the client achieve their objectives while staying within budget.