CertainTeed Solutions Bring Advanced Building Science to Sustainable Mass Timber Facility
Centennial College’s Progress Campus A-Building Expansion is a landmark project in Canadian architecture and education. As the country’s first net-zero carbon, LEED® Gold, WELL Certified™ Silver, mass timber post-secondary facility, the building is more than an academic space—it’s a bold statement about sustainability, innovation, and cultural respect.
This gateway to the Progress Campus was designed to reflect Indigenous values of sustainability and interconnectedness. Spanning over 150,000 square feet, the expansion includes classrooms, labs, and community spaces built with exposed mass timber.
The Vision: Resilient Indigenous Design
The project aimed to create a highly sustainable, healthy, and inclusive academic space that met multiple performance benchmarks—including LEED Gold, WELL Silver, and Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard™ certification—while honoring Indigenous heritage and design principles. The architectural intent was to blend advanced building science with natural materials, resilient systems, and culturally sensitive detailing.
To achieve these objectives, Centennial College and its partners needed building envelope and interior solutions that offered:
Superior durability and performance in a mass timber environment
- Moisture and mold resistance
- High-impact resistance for active educational spaces
- Seamless integration with exposed wood and culturally significant design features
The Challenge: High-Performance Heritage Preservation
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At the heart of the project was a complex challenge: integrating high-performance building solutions from CertainTeed without compromising the integrity of the Indigenous architecture or the exposed mass timber aesthetic.
Given the large amount of exposed wood, it was essential that all interior and exterior building systems supported the natural warmth and historic style of the design. The solutions also had to perform across a variety of demanding spaces—from high-traffic labs and classrooms to noisy common areas—while respecting the building’s cultural and environmental vision.
The Solution: Mold-, Fire-, and Impact-Resistant Materials
In collaboration with DMD Triangle Drywall & Acoustics Ltd., EllisDon, and Smoke Architecture, CertainTeed provided a suite of advanced gypsum and acoustical ceiling solutions that enhanced the resilience of the entire structure.
CertainTeed products including GlasRoc® Sheathing, M2Tech® Drywall, and Decoustics® ceiling baffles and wall panels were key to ensuring the performance, durability, and comfort of the building inside and out.
Installed beneath the aluminum cladding, this mold- and moisture-resistant sheathing formed a durable, smooth substrate for the curtain wall system to support the Indigenous-inspired facades.
Used in wet and high-humidity areas, this product provided the long-term moisture resistance the building needs to maintain air quality and durability.
This fire- and mold-resistant gypsum board for interior partitions, bulkheads, and ceilings helped to balance safety and sustainability.
Strategically used in high-traffic areas to extend the lifespan of wall assemblies, these impact-resistant boards will reduce maintenance and repair costs.
Used for shaft wall assemblies, these gypsum panels provided fire-resistance and mold prevention.
Sustainable Insulation™ Glass Fibre Batts
Installed throughout partitions to enhance thermal and acoustic performance, this insulation is made with recycled and renewable materials, contributing to the building’s environmental certifications.
Decoustics® Rondolo Baffles and Decoustics® Claro White Baffles
Decoustics ceiling solutions were custom-finished to echo natural wood and integrate seamlessly into the architectural ceiling treatments, including Indigenous-informed patterns.
Decoustics® Fabric Wall Panels
The acoustic panels were used to enhance interior acoustics in classrooms and communal spaces without overpowering the mass timber aesthetic.
The Results: A Landmark for Sustainable Construction
The gateway to the Centennial College Progress Campus is a successful integration of tradition and forward-looking building science. Thanks to the flexibility and performance of CertainTeed and Decoustics solutions, the design team was able to preserve Indigenous architectural expression while meeting the highest standards for sustainability and comfort.
By combining GlasRoc’s robust exterior and interior capabilities with carefully selected acoustic and impact-resistant systems, the project delivered a modern post-secondary facility that is as resilient as it is respectful—a model for future buildings across Canada.