RSGC Centre for the Arts and Student Commons

Farrow Partners has been engaged in the ongoing renovation of Royal St. George’s College in Toronto, Canada including work in the Junior and Middle Schools featuring Ketchum Hall. This campus-wide renovation is strategically phased across six packages of work that can be undertaken over the summer months, minimising impact on operations during school terms.

The new Centre for the Arts adds new art classrooms, an art studio, music classroom, and student lounge to the independent school. The facility is located on the lower level of the historic St. Alban’s chapel, a 130 year old cathedral on the south eastern section of campus. The project simultaneously capitalises on the gothic features of the church while infusing natural tree-like motifs to establish an enriching, meaningful, and comprehensive learning environment. The use of timber and access to natural light in the chapel’s lowest level ensures a sense of warmth, creating a more natural environment capable of reducing stress, stimulates visual comfort, and elevates cognitive function.

Occupying a previously unused outdoor terrace is a brand new student commons, completed in Fall 2025. The addition takes advantage of the southern exposure to offer students continual access to natural daylight in the casual learning environment. Ample sunlight and the use of timber allows the space to take on an engaging and enriching quality by reducing stress, enhancing concentration, and offering visual comfort.