The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto is the largest child health research tower in the world. Focusing on human and environmental health in five key areas, the project has achieved LEED Gold certification. Highlighting the building’s entrance and providing a welcoming look for visitorsis RHEINZINK titanium zinc from RHEINZINK America Inc.

The new facility brings under one roof 2,000 researchers and staff previously dispersed throughout six buildings. At 778,000 square feet (72,278 square meters), the 21-story laboratory is believed to be the largest child health research tower in the world and among the largest laboratories in the high-rise form.

Situated on a dense urban site, the building was designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, Toronto, and will serve as a center of excellence for SickKids to further its commitment to advancing pediatric research. The state-of-the-art laboratory and learning facilities are designed to support the collaboration that results in research findings and the critical links between discovery and application in the care of a sick child.

Approximately 53,000 square feet (4,924 square meters) of RHEINZINK prePATINA blue-grey Flat Lock Tiles were utilized in façade and soffit applications. The RHEINZINK soffit panels highlight the main entrance and provide a contemporary, welcoming appearance to visitors and staff alike.

Fabrication of the 4,500 panels used on the building was done by Agway Metals Inc., Brampton, Ontario. Agway was also the RHEINZINK distributor on the project. 

Installation of the Flat Lock Tiles was done by Gage Group, Mississauga, Ontario. The general contractor on the project was EllisDon, Mississauga.

The project has received LEED Gold certification and provides a whole-building approach to sustainability in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.