OISE SJE 12th Floor

Location: Toronto, Ontario
Client: University of Toronto

The Social Justice Education (SJE) department renovation at the 12th Floor Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) intended to improve the flexible student-focused workspaces by integrating modern and technological amenities to create an open and inviting environment for students and faculty members. ward99 architects collaborated with various stakeholders for the University of Toronto (UofT) and OISE developed the final design catering to the needs of the students. This focuses on enhancing the functionality of the 12th floor space while improving daylighting throughout to create a flexible space and vibrant hub for the students. This involved removing the floor’s 1970s layout, by removing perimeter offices, and creating a new open space that meets OISE’s current and future needs.

The renovation included a welcoming accessible entrance that is both secure and provides a sense of arrival for students, staff and visitors. Within the space, the renovation provides multiple areas for flexible student workspaces, offices, meeting rooms, a student lounge area, a staff kitchenette, computer lab, collaborative multi-purpose rooms, and the inclusion of a new universal gender-neutral washroom. These spaces and refreshed workstations increase the usability and functionality of the space, and offer opportunities for the students to gather, share and collaborate. The addition of the universal gender-neutral washroom to the space allows for the space to accommodate a more diverse set of individuals, to help further the mission goals of both OISE and UofT.

After consultation with OISE, UofT, and various stake-holder groups, it became important for the design of the department to address context and sensibilities related to various cultural groups, including Indigenous design. Through careful selection of finishes, materiality, and the integration of murals related to ceremonial plants throughout the department, the Social Justice Education community embodies the ceremonial practices common to a wide range of Indigenous cultural groups. Biophilic design was also a central feature of the design, integrating natural finishes with the spaces.

Photography by: Riley Snelling