September 19, 2025
The Transportation Safety and Technology Science (TSTS) hub, a new national research facility designed through a joint venture between Architecture49 and B+H, is moving forward with construction in Ottawa as part of Canada’s Laboratories Canada strategy.
Laboratories Canada is a federal initiative aimed at modernizing and consolidating Canada’s science infrastructure by bringing together multiple government research organizations into state-of-the-art shared facilities. This approach fosters collaboration, reduces duplication, and improves the efficiency and impact of public research investments.
The 21,000 m² TSTS facility will centralize expertise from the Transportation Safety Board and the National Research Council, bringing together scientists, engineers, and investigators across air, rail, marine, and pipeline safety disciplines. By housing these experts under one roof, the facility will enable faster investigations, improved knowledge sharing, and enhanced cross-disciplinary innovation, all of which are critical to advancing transportation safety across the country.
The project’s design reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and public service. Targeting LEED Gold and Fitwel certifications, the building will provide an efficient, flexible, and inspiring workplace.
A key aspect of the project is its emphasis on Indigenous participation. The team has engaged Indigenous architects and landscape architects, whose work draws on cultural storytelling and land-based design principles, to ensure these perspectives are meaningfully integrated into the built environment. Architecture49 and B+H have also partnered with Indspire to establish scholarships for Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary studies in architecture, design, and STEM fields. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to reconciliation and to fostering long-term opportunities in education and the design professions.
The facility is expected to open in 2030, marking a significant advancement in Canada’s transportation safety research infrastructure.
