"We're very excited about this building," said Wu. "It will be so important for our undergraduate teaching with its rooms and rooms of computers." Its secure graduate labs with the latest equipment, its airy meeting rooms, flexible spaces and private offices create an ideal environment for collaborative and solitary research, she said. The facility will enable York "to be among the top five in terms of innovation in Canada."

Michael Jenkin, co-Chair of the Computer Science Department, said the building was designed specifically for computer science research. Since September, researchers have been setting up labs for pioneering vision, graphics, robotics, computer systems and real-time research. There is a motion detector lab in the basement. There is a three-dimensional virtual imaging cave under construction on the third floor ­ the first of its kind in Canada ­ that could be used for medical and mining probes. People from other countries have already come to York to train on the global positioning software.

First of its kind

The building itself is a pioneering venture in architecture. It is a model of energy conservation and environmental sustainability and represents a "new generation of building in Canada,"said architect Peter Busby. It is the "first of its kind in central Canada."

On tour of the new building

It is naturally ventilated with fresh rather than forced air ­ its windows open and there are no ducts where moulds could grow. Heat stratification creates air flow. The concrete mass stores energy, the ground works as a heat sink to cool or warm air, solar panels store energy, a turf roof insulates and reduces water drainage.

The building saves altogether 68 per cent of energy required to heat, cool and light other buildings, said Busby. Over a period of 75 years, he estimates the building will save 85,700 tonnes of green house gas equivalents, or one barrel oil per occupant per year.

"It sends a message that sustainable architecture can be done with the knowledge we have today," said Busby. "Most importantly, it is healthy. It has fresh air, healthy air." The building is "flexible, robust and designed for change."

Architect Adrian di Castri said the building is "a great contribution to sustainable architecture in the world." It is also "as beautiful as it is green."

Marsden acknowledged key individuals: Andre Gallipeau, member of York's Board of Governors; Maria Augimeri, local member of Toronto city council; David Miller, Toronto city councillor and TTC commissioner; and Judy Sgro, York West MP. She recognized the York project committee: Peter Struk, Tahir Mohammed, Mary Lynn Reimer, Bob Prince, Peter Victor, Brock Fenton and Ron Hunt. She thanked two people who helped implement the project: Jenkin and Monica Contreras, who started as project planner and saw the project through as construction administrator. She applauded David Smith, project manager for contractor Ellis Don.