Ontario Institute for Cancer Research Toronto

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research in Toronto, OICR MaRS West Tower, Development, Canadian Architecture

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

OICR at the MaRS West Tower in Toronto, Canadian Building design by Diamond Schmitt Architects

page updated with new photos 23 Dec 2016 ; 21 Apr 2015

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research in Toronto

Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects

Location: MaRS West Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Diamond Schmitt Architects has brought connectivity to OICR facility

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Diamond Schmitt Architects has designed a research laboratory space for the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) at the MaRS West Tower in Toronto. The project includes new flexible wet and dry laboratories for genomics and informatics research and a statement staircase, by EeStairs, to inspire interaction among staff.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

“Interconnectivity is at the heart of this project,” said Peggy Theodore, Associate at Diamond Schmitt Architects. “From work stations to the shared amenity space, the interior of the new OICR has been carefully designed to encourage researchers to co-operate, communicate and share ideas in the battle against cancer.”

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

The sixth floor wet labs are set out in a modular format with open concept island benches where researchers are able to work together and pool their expertise. Support labs and centralized equipment, including facilities for tissue and bacterial culture, ultra-low temperature freezer facilities and microscopy, sit alongside the wet labs for convenient access.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Acoustic wood and perforated gypsum ceilings reflect the commitment to creating the best work environment, whether the space will be used for research, meetings or as a social space. Centrally positioned meeting rooms, kitchen areas, a library and social spaces provide staff with areas to interact. Where possible all workspaces have been positioned with exterior views, flooding the workspaces with natural light.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

At the heart of the new OICR facility sits the convenience stair; a sweeping helical staircase, which provides practical access between floors and represents the work carried out by OICR.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

A considerable amount of genomics work undertaken at OICR deals with variant left-handed DNA, which is mirrored by the rise of the left-handed helical staircase.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

“At EeStairs we believe that staircases should be more than just functional, they can be symbolic, and it was a privilege to work alongside a team of architects who shared this vision,” explains Cornelis van Vlastuin, EeStairs’ Creative Director.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

A white riser and internal balustrade teamed with one of EeStairs’ signature TransParancy® glass balustrades and sleek brushed stainless steel handrail gives the staircase a cutting-edge feel.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

The glass balustrade allows natural light to flow between each level. The treads of the staircase are finished in the same polished terrazzo used on the floor of each level, adding to the flow of the building.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

“The staircase captures the fundamental principal of interconnectivity that underpins this project, and is finished with the same quality and attention to detail as the rest of the facility,” said Theodore.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research Toronto – Building Information

Project Title: Diamond Schmitt Architects has brought connectivity to OICR facility

Client: OICR (Ontario Institute for Cancer Research)

Architect: Diamond Schmitt Architects

Gross Floor area: 3,925m2

Location: 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada

Status: complete

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Collaborators:

General Contractor: PCL Construction

Structural Engineer: Entuitive

Mechanical Engineer: Smith + Andersen

Electrical Engineer: Smith + Andersen

Staircase: EeStairs

Project Management: ZW Project Management Inc

Images: EeStairs and Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research Toronto images / information from Diamond Schmitt Architects

Diamond Schmitt Architects

Address: 661 University Ave, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
Phone: +1 416-977-7599

Toronto Architecture

Ontario Architecture Designs – chronological list

Toronto Building News on e-architect

Contemporary Toronto Homes

Toronto Architecture

Toronto Architecture Walking Tours – City Walks

Regent Park Cultural Centre in Toronto
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Regent Park Cultural Centre
photograph : Lisa Logant
Regent Park Cultural Centre in Toronto

Globe Mail Centre
Design: Diamond Schmitt Architects
Globe and Mail Centre Building
image from architect
Globe Mail Centre

Toronto University Multifaith Center
Design: Moriyama & Teshima Architects
Toronto University Multifaith Center
photo : Tom Arban
Toronto University Multifaith Center Building

Canadian Buildings

Canadian Buildings

Royal Ontario Museum building
Design: Daniel Libeskind
Royal Ontario Museum building
image from architects

University of Toronto Faculty of Law
Design: Hariri Pontarini Architects
Royal Ontario Museum building
image from architects

Toronto Buildings

Comments / photos for the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research TorontoNew Canadian Architecture page welcome

Website: Diamond Schmitt Architects