“The construction [of the Lawson Centre for Sustainability] has given students a chance to see sustainability in action; and when it is complete, it will give future students a chance to be immersed in sustainability,” graduating student Emmeline Caplan said in a special celebration on March 25 as she stood in front of the future Whiteside House, the east wing student residence of our new building.
Photos: L: (left to right) Provost Mayo Moran with Joannah Lawson and Chancellor Brian Lawson, with the Trinity Shovel (1851), which has been used at all major construction projects at Trinity; and the Tully Trowel (1923), which was used to lay the cornerstone of the original Trinity College building on Queen Street West; R: Emmeline Caplan, student.
By Jennifer Matthews
In a multi-year project, it’s important to celebrate the major milestones. To mark the beginning of mass timber construction in the Lawson Centre for Sustainability, a small group of students, donors, volunteers, staff and faculty gathered on March 25, 2024 at the construction site.
Blessed by sunshine, the event featured a ceremonial signing of the wood beam at the construction site, along with remarks from the Provost, Chancellor, architects and graduating student Emmeline Caplan, who enthused, “I cannot wait to return to the completed space!” Read more about the celebration and see event photos in Provost Moran’s latest community update.
Mass timber is a key sustainable feature of the new building. As highlighted in our February issue, it is notable for its renewability, its ability to sequester carbon, and its time- and cost-efficiency in construction projects. It is also a beautiful material that benefits the human occupants of its shared spaces.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Trinity will seek LEED Platinum certification as well as zero-carbon status for the Lawson Centre for Sustainability. From photovoltaic panels to geothermal heat pumps to an urban farm to green roof sections and mass timber, every aspect of this new hub for the Trinity community has been thoughtfully planned to truly embody sustainability. Learn more about Trinity and sustainability here.