TTC identified two main goals for the facility – an engaging design that was sensitive to the community, and an exemplary facility in energy efficiency. Both these goals were achieved through the use of metal cladding on the majority of the building façade. The facility’s exterior design was driven in large part by the 24,000 ft2 (2,230 m2) of SolarWall® collectors on the South & West exterior walls. Black metal cladding with the same profile was used on the East side to create a consistent exterior design. This created a large black canvas which is punctuated with strip windows as well as a red metal accent line running continuously from the main portion of the facility which continues up along the canopy structure on the south side of the facility and to the east tying the building components together. The SolarWall system creates a presence on the street and enables the facility to meet the Toronto Green Standard and generate 5% of on-site energy needs through renewable sources.
Toronto Transit Commission – McNicoll Bus Garage
Year: 2022
Location: Toronto, Ontario

Background
The Toronto Transit Commission is the largest public transit agency in Canada and third largest in North America, serving a daily ridership of over 1.7 million. With their ongoing commitment to improving transit service for a growing ridership demand, it was determined that a new bus maintenance facility was needed. The new McNicoll Bus Garage is expected to increase capacity at its bus maintenance facilities as well as lead to operational efficiencies. This will in turn help improve customer experience. This 312,100 ft 2 facility will maintain and store 250 vehicles (forty-foot equivalents) and will be equipped to support the new buses. The facility was designed to exceed the Toronto Green Standard which promotes sustainable site and building design by requiring 5% on-site energy generation.
Solution
Strasman Architects designed the facility to achieve TTC’s requirements using a composition of precast concrete panels, curtainwall glazing, and metal. “The transpired SolarWall [system] and siding creating a dynamic and articulated exterior building composition that achieves the requirement for 5% renewable energy,” says Shawn Strasman, principal, Strasman Architects, Toronto. “The SolarWall commands a striking visual presence on the prominent public street façades. Its black color, inherently bold, is complemented with a striking balance of strip windows with a red metal accent band, rising to form a large canopy at the south to create a continuous natural street edge that aligns with the adjacent senior’s residence across the street. The SolarWall system offered the design team a way to achieve significant energy conservation and generation at the facility that was low maintenance and integrated with the building envelope.” In this application, the SolarWall® systems are expected to displace over 4,000+ tonnes of carbon over the system's 40 year lifespan.
SolarWall Case Study – Toronto Transit Commission – McNicoll Bus Garage(PDF)