Mass Timber Building Reaches Structural Milestone at Toronto Zoo Community Conservation Centre

The Toronto Zoo has reached a major construction milestone, topping off the two-story academic building within its new Community Conservation Centre.

Developed in collaboration with the University of Toronto Scarborough, the facility will support wildlife conservation research, teaching and related programs. The building is part of a broader transformation of the Zoo’s entrance area, which also includes a new guest services building designed to enhance the visitor and arrival experience. 

Thornton Tomasetti provided structural engineering services to Zeidler Architecture for both buildings, working in collaboration with PCL Construction and Timmerman Timberworks. The academic building features a hybrid structural system incorporating mass timber floors and roof, paired with cast-in-lace concrete walls. 

The full project is scheduled to open in fall 2026.