Toronto and Ottawa-based architecture practice Moriyama & Teshima Architects has won a competition to design the new Bee Research Centre (HBRC) at the University of Guelph in Canada. 

The new research facility will be made out of mass timber structure and feature sweeping occupiable roof that forms the focal expression of the public space. The roof will present an array of colors of strips which are scattered throughout the project. 

Aiming to be a new landmark at the University of Guelph, Ontario College of Agriculture, an iconic, state-of-the-art research and event centre is dedicated to honey bees' health. 

The $12-million facility is aimed at helping understand the stressors affecting honey bees and other pollinators and finding solutions.

The building will focuse on research, education, discovery, and learning from one of nature’s greatest architects – the honeybees. Designed as a low carbon project, the mass timber building demonstrates sustainability and envisions an architecture of collaboration, ingenuity and efficiency. 

The project will support flexible research and education for all ages, the HBRC will welcome children, students and scholars from around the world, and will contain a large, multi-functional discovery and learning space, exhibition area, research & extraction labs, classrooms, a café, and gift shop.

"The HBRC will enhance connections to both the neighbouring University of Guelph campus, the surrounding natural landscape, and its existing integrated trail system," said the office. 

"The new Centre is envisioned as both a productive and social landscape that accommodates diverse programming, research, and events." 

The project is also aimed to balance the ecological functions of the site with educational programming, the grounds highlight the productivity of the land formally through cultivated agricultural plots and working hives.

"We have been nothing short of inspired by the staff and the work of the Honey Bee Research Centre and the University of Guelph’s commitment to the sustainability and health of the agricultural industry in Ontario," said Diarmuid Nash, a partner at Moriyama and Teshima.

"Our plan is to integrate the new centre within parts of U of G known for nature, food production and sustainability," said Rene Van Acker, dean of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC).

"Interactive teaching spaces will help accommodate visitors and programming. Currently, more than 4,000 people visit the centre annually and more than 700 students take courses each year. The new facility will expand the University’s capacity to address honey bee health through teaching," Van Acker said.

“Anyone interested in honey bee health and management will be able to come and explore their interests in a state-of-the-art facility," he added.

The architects uses mass timber as the main material, including a sweeping occupiable roof. Roof and landscape are integrated through a trail that rises and leads to the Centre’s landmark Interpretive Tower, which doubles as a solar chimney and pollinator friendly habitat, underscoring the HBRC’s dedication to the preservation of Pollinator Pathways, honeybees and other pollinator insects.

Moriyama & Teshima Architects will be working with local landscape architects Forrec on this project. 

Moriyama & Teshima Architects was founded in 1958 in Canada. The office designed many high-quality projects, such as the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, and most recently the Etihad Museum in Dubai.

Moriyama & Teshima Architects runs its offices in Toronto and Ottawa.

Project facts

Client: University of Guelph

Team: Diarmuid Nash, Veronica Madonna, Olivia Keung, Luis Quezada, Pooya Aledavood

Sub-consultants
Integral Group – Mechanical, Electrical, & Sustainability
WalterFedy – Civil
Moses Structural Engineers Inc. – Structural
Forrec Ltd. – Landscaping
Lord Cultural Resources Inc. – Exhibition Consultant

Awards: Canadian Architect Award

All images courtesy of Moriyama & Teshima Architects

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