The MTCC group originally showed interest in Skyfold at the IAAM Show in 2010. After touring a Skyfold installation, the decision was made to incorporate walls in the existing meeting room area. A key part of the design was to use the walls to open up the meeting space into the reception area of the facility – effectively expanding the reception area when the need arises. MTCC is already looking to use additional Skyfold walls in other areas of the convention centre.

MTCC’S SOUTH BUILDING, located in downtown Toronto in Canada and spanning an area of more than 110,000m2, showcases a striking number of environmental strategies with its restoration. The existing building, which opened in 1997, no longer aligned with MTCC’s functional and environmental ambitions in achieving LEED® Canada certification, a rigorous and internationally recognised certification from Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC).

Over the years, MTCC has evolved its environmental awareness within its event planning, offering sustainable meeting solutions with options for renewable power, zero waste, locally sourced menus and carbon offsets. The restoration opened the opportunity to use high performance materials to support a lower carbon footprint, especially by replacing large systems, such as the ceiling and floor, which can fundamentally alter sound and energy values. “Choosing products that have recycled content and low/no-VOCs is important to the convention centre,” explains Joshua Jaikaran, MTCC’s facilities technical and project coordinator.

One of the main design considerations became the ceiling system, covering 34 meeting rooms and 4 exhibition halls with a barrier-free, fully accessible floor plan. “Since we are Canada’s largest convention centre, many of our events can be quite large and so the need to contain noise and provide acoustic privacy is essential - rather than having sound penetrate the plenum and carry to adjacent spaces,” says Jaikaran.

MTCC chose ROCKFON Koral for the project due to its high acoustic performance rating, low-VOC and good recycled content levels, long-term durability and its light-weight, lightly textured and easy clean surface. Jaikaran elaborates, “Having a white ceiling tile with a smooth surface and high light reflectance brightens up the space, which could potentially mean energy savings, light reduction and a cooler space.”