The Research Laboratory on the Buildings of Tomorrow (LRID) is the evolution of the solar house developed in the early 2000s, enabling advanced research in building science and envelope performance. This unique 230 m² project is a modestly sized building — yet one with great ambitions.

Through its massing and form, the LRID acts as a transitional element between the university’s buildings and the adjacent residential neighborhood. Located within a lightly wooded area, the LRID also supports the City Farm School’s urban agriculture gardens, a well-established initiative at the heart of Concordia University’s Loyola Campus.

The LRID takes a rigorous approach to energy footprint and material selection, balancing aesthetics, durability, and embodied energy. Locally sourced wood is used both structurally and as exterior cladding. Metals and other recycled or recyclable materials ensure the envelope’s hygrothermal integrity and long-term robustness.

The permanent façades are clad in painted wood, while the roof is covered with a light gray pre-painted metal profile. Similarly, windows and exterior doors are selected to complement a calm and neutral palette, accentuating the building’s photovoltaic panels and experimental façade modules.