Cultural, Education, Community Hub, Collaboration, Event & Performance, Sustainability

University of Toronto - Experiential Learning Commons LEED Gold

The Experiential Learning Commons is a collaboration between the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering and the Faculty of Arts & Science. Located in the podium floors of the Theory building at College and Beverley Streets, the Commons is a central co-operative employment hub that connects students from the University’s three campuses with leading employers in Toronto.

The 16,000 square foot Commons is home to the shared staff who coordinate and reach out to industry partners to connect students with employers, and features the industry-facing lounges and interview rooms made available for partners and students.

Key elements include the scalable ‘Workroom’ for presentations and seminars — an extension of the ELC’s main reception area — that can be fully enclosed or expanded to a large assembly via a glass partition. When opened, the reception lounge becomes an extension to the workroom, drastically increasing capacity for events. Other areas include private interview rooms for employers and student meetings (in person or digitally); and faculty offices, workstations, boardrooms and lounges. A state-of-the-art interior, the ELC features extensive IT and AV integration and ‘whisper quiet’ acoustic controls.

The ELC is a LEED Gold project in a non-LEED building. In addition to its sustainable features, the ELC is wellness-focused — designed with materials and architectural gestures that foster a professional and serene environment for focus and positive communication in collaboration, interviews and meetings.