Designing for Many Lives : How Catalyst Aligns Community, Infrastructure and Architecture for the Future of Science

NOTICE OF MEETING

Designing for Many Lives

How Catalyst Aligns Community, Infrastructure and Architecture for the Future of Science

Date:

Monday, November 2, 2026

Venue:

Guild Hall, 21 Old Mill Rd, Toronto, ON M8X 1G5

EVENT SUMMARY

What if the most sustainable laboratory building is the one that can continually reinvent itself? 

Catalyst was designed for change. Aligning owner, architect, and engineer around a shared vision, the project balances the demands of specialized laboratory infrastructure, occupant safety, operational resilience, and energy performance with the need for long-term adaptability. A unique utility distribution strategy maximizes flexibility and maintainability while preserving valuable space for science, enabling the building to evolve alongside changing research, technologies, and users. Equally important is an architectural vision that places science on display, fostering collaboration, visibility, and a lasting community of innovation. Catalyst demonstrates how lasting value is created when buildings are designed not for a single purpose or generation of research, but as enduring platforms for scientific discovery, connection, and change. Presented by the owner, architect, and engineer, this session examines how that vision was realized through the delivery of the first purpose-built speculative life sciences building developed for the GTA market in more than 20 years.

Special Notice:

We are excited to host this event in partnership with Sustainable Labs Canada (SLCAN)! This joint event offers a fantastic opportunity to connect, collaborate, and network with professionals from across the industry.

Special discounted pricing is available for SLCAN members. We look forward to welcoming our SLCAN colleagues for an engaging evening of learning and networking.

SPEAKERS

Cary Solomon

Cary Solomon is the Founder and Managing Partner of Seeker Labs based in Toronto Canada. Mr. Solomon is a real estate executive with over 30 years of experience in development, construction, and asset management across North America. Cary has led the delivery of more than 8 million square feet of high-rise, commercial office, and retail projects in Canada and the United States, with experience across multiple asset classes.

He had the vision to found Seeker Labs, with its single purpose, to address the need for private sector, purpose-built life sciences infrastructure in Canada. Through partnerships with institutional and ecosystem stakeholders, Seeker Labs is leading the development of lab and innovation facilities that support research and commercialization and contribute to the growth of Canada's life sciences sector.

Robert Mariani, P.Eng.

Robert Mariani, P.Eng. is a Partner and mechanical engineering leader in DIALOG’s Toronto studio with more than 20 years of experience designing high-performance healthcare, research, and laboratory environments. His work spans complex institutional and commercial facilities where occupant well-being, operational reliability, energy performance, and resilience must come together.  Robert has led teams and the delivery of projects from early concept and planning through detailed design, and construction. His expertise encompasses HVAC, plumbing, fire protection, medical gas, laboratory gases, and building automation systems.  Through his work, Robert brings a practical, integrated perspective to the evolving challenges facing healthcare and research facilities - advancing building performance and sustainability while keeping people, operations, and long-term value at the centre of the design.

Jay Levin

Jay Levine is a national leader in the programming, planning, and design of specialized pharmaceutical, biotechnology, GMP-compliant, and academic research facilities. With project experience across British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland, Jay brings deep sector expertise to life sciences, translational research, and advanced manufacturing environments.

His portfolio spans R&D laboratories, pilot plants, testing laboratories, and GMP production facilities. His work is distinguished by the integration of architecture and engineering, balancing complex technical and regulatory requirements with capital cost, operational efficiency, flexibility, and long-term adaptability.

As DIALOG’s Science+Technology Practice Area Chair, Jay leads a cross-Canada team delivering high-performance, future-ready environments for discovery, innovation, and production. In 2021, Jay merged his former practice, NXL Architects, with DIALOG, expanding the reach and impact of his specialized science and technology practice.

Venue Details:

Old Mill Event Venue

Join us at Old Mill Toronto, a historic venue in the city’s west end known for its charming architecture, scenic gardens, and versatile event spaces. Easily accessible by subway and with an onsite hotel, it’s a convenient and welcoming location for our upcoming event.

Walk-in registrations will not be permitted.

Photography Disclaimer
Please be advised that a photographer will be present during this event. Photos may be taken and used for internal or promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, it is your responsibility to inform the photographer directly at the event.

Please feel free to reach out at cttc@torontoashrae.com if you need assistance.

Siddharth Singh, P.Eng, PMP

ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Chair

King Tung, P. Eng, MASc

ASHRAE Toronto CTTC Co-Chair