Tomorrow’s Campus Has Arrived

These eight donor-supported buildings are giving students great new places to learn

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Woman walking up a stairwell in the Rotman School of Management
The Rotman School of Management. All photos by Nick Iwanyshyn

The Boundless campaign raised $600 million for new and updated facilities that will provide students on all three campuses with better and more accessible places to learn. These new spaces will also help U of T researchers make the next big discoveries. Take a behind-the-scenes peek inside several of the largest projects supported by the campaign.

White robotic arm in the foreground against a yellow wall. Three students engaged in conversation in the background
Technology has changed the practice of architecture. The new digital fabrication laboratory, or “fab lab,” at the expanded Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at One Spadina Crescent includes this robotic arm to help researchers test new design ideas. John H. Daniels (BArch 1950) and Myrna Daniels provided crucial support for the new building.
Engineering students building vehicles in the Engineering Society Arena
Two engineering students building a vehicle in the robotics lab
1. The Engineering Society Arena in the new Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship gives students the space and equipment to design and build projects for classes and clubs – and for their own startups. The building is named in honour of two of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering’s most dedicated supporters – George Myhal (BASc 1978) and Rayla Myhal. 2. Students and researchers are using the robotics lab at the Myhal Centre to build self-driving vehicles, drones and AI-driven robots to assist in the treatment and care of patients.
Man sitting inside the Bod Pod. A staff member is taking measurements on a computer.
A basketball game in play at the Kimel Family Field House
1. The Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport has given a big boost to U of T athletics and research in exercise science. It’s also giving all students the chance to get physically active and enhance their workout routine, with equipment that ranges from VersaClimbers for cardiovascular training to the Bod Pod (shown) for measuring body composition. 2. The Goldring Centre received $29 million in support from the Boundless campaign, and includes the Kimel Family Field House, which seats up to 2,000 fans for Varsity Blues volleyball and basketball games. Second photo: Courtesy of Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
Rows of students working on computers in the BMO Financial Group Finance Research and Trading Lab
Each year, the BMO Financial Group Finance Research and Trading Lab at the Rotman School of Management hosts a three-day simulated market challenge involving dozens of universities. (This year, U of T placed sixth out of 52.) The Rotman School’s south building, which opened in 2012, was supported by the Rotman family, Marcel Desautels and many others.
Photo of an illustration on a wall in the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex, depicting the anatomy of a human face
U of T Mississauga’s Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex is home to Canada’s only graduate biomedical communications program. The complex was supported by gifts of $12 million from Terrence Donnelly and $10 million from the FDC Foundation.
Hallway in the Citizen Lab
The Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy works at the intersection of digital media, global security and human rights. It has prevented hacking attempts against the Dalai Lama and made front page news for exposing targeted surveillance of journalists and human rights groups. The school’s (and lab’s) expansion into a heritage building on Bloor Street was made possible through an extraordinary gift from the late Peter Munk (BASc 1952) and Melanie Munk.
Student lounge in Highland Hall
With its open spaces, U of T Scarborough’s newest building, Highland Hall, explicitly aims to bring students together. The project was supported by a gift of $1 million from Mark Krembil (BA 1988 UTSC) through the Krembil Family Foundation.
Main reading room in the Bora Laskin Law Library
In Torys Hall, the beautiful main reading room of the renovated Bora Laskin Law Library, students can pore over cases together at the long tables or read solo in armchairs next to the fireplace. The library is attached to the new Jackman Law Building, which opened in 2016 and won a Canadian Architect Magazine Award of Excellence for design. Hal Jackman (BA 1953 VIC, LLB 1956) donated $11 million to support the new building. Some 600 other alumni and friends also contributed to the project.
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  1. One Response to “ Tomorrow’s Campus Has Arrived ”

  2. Ronald A. Layton says:

    Most interesting articles. I always read the news you provide. Keep up the good work.