Joseph L. Rotman School of Management Expansion, University of Toronto

The Rotman Expansion was conceived to foster collaboration and creative problem solving and to create a vibrant global hub that grounds the identity of the School and gives it an international presence. The winning competition design directly responds to Rotman’s core mission to promote the power of creativity, innovation and integrative thinking in 21st century business education with an integrated vertical campus concept. Located in downtown Toronto on the University of Toronto campus in one of the world’s most diverse cities, the design will establish the Rotman as a destination for business collaboration and exchange. The 161,500 s.f. expansion is directly connected to the original Rotman designed by the Zeidler/Roberts Partnership in 1995 and integrates a Victorian-era residence. The scale and massing was developed to mitigate the residential scale of the historic 19th century residence and the brutalist-era architecture of the Robarts Library across the street. It is sited to respect views and minimize shadow impact on Massey College to the east. A series of direct horizontal and vertical circulation systems between the original Rotman and the new building facilitate the flow of people. The vertically oriented block of office and research space creates a connected environment to house the range of Rotman’s research institutes, including the Martin Prosperity Institute (MPI) and the Desautels Centre for Integrative Thinking (DCIT). A series of habitable outdoor spaces and terraces are woven through the upper levels to provide access to the outdoors and expansive views across the city. Two signature spaces epitomize integrative thinking and teamwork: the event hall and serpetine stair. The event hall expressed as a large-scale elevated glass box on St. George Street to broadcast Rotman programs to the campus and the city. The monumental serpentine stair commands the south atrium, its pink accents symbolizing Rotman’s commitment to creativity and innovation.