Western North York Community Centre | Advancing Net Zero Emissions Standards in Public Architecture
Toronto,
ON
Award Category:
RAIC Research & Innovation in Architecture Award
MJMA Architecture & Design
A Net Zero Energy Pioneer
The Western North York Community Centre (WNYCC) exemplifies the transformative potential of civic architecture used to challenge industry norms. Commissioned by the City of Toronto in 2017, it is Canada’s first Net Zero Energy aquatic facility. Integrating groundbreaking strategies to address energy-intensive recreational buildings, the facility incorporates several firsts for the city to radically reduce energy demand, making 100% offset from on-site renewable energy and a tight site possible.
The project also introduced new standards for swimming pool construction, including lower-carbon concrete and innovative pool systems that required an unprecedented collaborative effort with the client group to ensure proper operation of the building.
MJMA’s research-driven approach for the project was a catalyst for the studio to study and set new embodied carbon benchmarks for recreation facilities, a first in North America.
Beyond environmental performance, the WNYCC fosters social resilience by connecting two neighbourhoods experiencing growth five times the city’s average. To ensure community integration, an extensive MJMA-led engagement campaign incorporated a diverse set of voices to determine the community’s needs.
The WNYCC demonstrates how innovative design can unite environmental, social, and operational goals to create resilient public spaces, that will endure into the future.
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2025 Annual Awards Jury