Moriyama Teshima Architects - Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Complex - Toronto - Canada

2025-07-16

A highly efficient, mass timber facility, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Complex functions as a hub that continues to support public education in the province, provide healthy workplace environments for its staff and visitors, and responsibly meet the organization’s goals of financial resiliency.

The 3-storey, 127,000 SF layout is spatially divided to house the OSSTF Headquarters, representing all the educators, educational assistants, psychologists, secretaries, speech-language pathologists, social workers, plant support personnel, attendance counsellors, and other education professionals in the secondary school system in Ontario. The building also includes two floors of leasable commercial office space, designed with a raised floor and underfloor air distribution system to allow for adaptable layouts, improved acoustics, and streamlined building services.

All design decisions were rigorously assessed for long-term value, the health and wellness of employees, and operational savings. The benefits associated with employee wellness include being surrounded by natural materials, daylight, and fresh air. The commitment to progressive climate solutions, as well as the long term savings associated with energy use reductions, all factored into the decision to use mass timber, while also investing in the naturalized restoration of the ravine edge. Constructed out of cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor slabs and glue-laminated timber (GLT) beams and columns, structural components were sourced nationally, where possible, and demonstrate a robust, honest, yet innovative application of natural materials.

“The central atrium is the building’s key design feature where everyone in the building can connect to each other and connect to nature, ultimately making for a healthier working environment for all who visit and work here,” notes Carol Phillips, Partner, Moriyama Teshima Architects.

Joined by a central atrium, the OSSTF Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Complex offers abundant outside views, light, openness, and numerous opportunities for spontaneous interactions between OSSTF staff and tenants. Shareable spaces on the ground floor include the lobby, café, and terrace, and feature a multipurpose, convertible event space. These amenities will be shared not only by the building occupants, but by external groups, providing opportunities for engagement with the wider community.

“The result is a building that is not only functional and efficient, but also symbolically reinforcing our union's mission and commitment to progress, equity, and innovation," said Jim Spray, Chief Financial Officer, Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Foundation. "The OSSTF Headquarters is already drawing attention across the education and labour sectors as a model for responsible and forward-looking workplace design.”

The new OSSTF Headquarters and Multi-Tenant Complex provides a unique, refreshed work environment for all occupants. Designed to the highest environmental standards, the OSSTF/FEESO headquarters is built on a foundation of social, environmental, and financial sustainability.

About Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA)

Founded in 1958, Moriyama Teshima Architects (MTA) is an award-winning Canadian practice known for thoughtful, enduring design across sectors including post-secondary education, civic and cultural institutions, Indigenous centres, libraries, and master planning. With over 200 design accolades, including six Governor General’s Medals, MTA is widely recognized for shaping projects that resonate with place, advance sustainability, and foster vibrant public life.

As leaders in mass timber innovation and sustainable architecture, they prioritize regenerative design practices that reduce carbon impact, enhance building resilience, and support long-term institutional and community stewardship. MTA is committed to universal accessibility and inclusive design, ensuring buildings welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds. Their approach integrates land, building, people, and process, producing architecture that is flexible, locally rooted, and socially attuned.

MTA believes that the most lasting and beloved environments arise through collaboration. Whether supporting emerging pedagogies or co-creating cultural hubs, their work is guided by careful listening, interdisciplinary insight, and a deep respect for each project's story and context. MTA is a certified minority-owned firm through the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council (CAMSC).

Photo credit: Tom Arban