Bahen Centre for Information Technology, University of Toronto

The Bahen Centre for Information Technology (BCIT) is a new engineering science and computer technology building located on the University of Toronto Campus in downtown Toronto. The structure consists of a 114,000 SF, four-level (320 stall) underground parking garage and a 396,000 SF, eight-storey superstructure with a facade of precast, brick, structural glazing, curtainwall and punch windows. The BCIT is surrounded by five existing U. of T. buildings and is accessed from all of the four streets which surround the site. The new building ties into two of the existing buildings from the basement and ground levels for pedestrian and freight access. The main BCIT skylight ties into an existing fourth-floor roof, forming the new atrium. The atrium follows through to the new building where it becomes eight storeys high. Within the atrium is a circular stair that extends up the full eight storeys and has meeting rooms in its centre at each floor. Pedestrian bridges cross the atrium at all floors tying into the building. The interior of the building consists of auditoriums, seminar rooms, laboratories and offices. In addition, there is a 125-year-old historic house within the site which is renovated and becomes a part of the new BCIT building. The building is fully landscaped with the two main features being the St. George Street facade and the south courtyard.