Bombardier Aircraft Assembly Center | NEUF architect(e)s

The new aerospace campus marks a strategic leap forward from Bombardier's decades-old Downsview Airport facility, currently slated for redevelopment. NEUF's purpose-built design incorporates innovative design and modern materials, responding to strict manufacturing processes and regulatory procedures while exceeding international sustainability and safety standards to optimize the assembly and testing of jet aircraft.

"Building an aircraft is an undertaking that rivals the complexity of a major building project," said Graham Kelly, Vice President of Operations for Global Aircraft at Bombardier's Toronto facility. "We needed a space that could not only handle the scale of our manufacturing operations but also reflect our commitment to innovation and exceeding client expectations while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our employees. " NEUF helped do exactly that.

The new Bombardier facility's production layout enables faster aircraft assembly with complete lines of sight throughout the manufacturing and testing processes. NEUF created an architecture that successfully coordinates specialized teams, automated equipment, robotics, tooling and the mobilization of precision components and instrumentation, resulting in an efficient, accurate and safe production ecosystem where employees work in natural daylight environments with minimal acoustic distractions.

Precise electrical, ventilation, thermal and humidity requirements necessitated a manufacturing strategy that optimizes energy use while reducing waste to align with Bombardier's commitment to environmentally responsible operations. Extensive site engineering was required to incorporate a comprehensive list of fire and life safety requirements within a small, tightly regulated site that minimally impacts neighbouring airport-related services and municipal infrastructure. The NEUF design team led a complex collaboration with the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), TÜV SÜD Global Risk Consultants, the City of Mississauga, Transport Canada, and NAV Canada to ensure the facility met the industry's most stringent fire, life safety, and flight operations standards.

As multimillion-dollar jets come to life, NEUF designed all aspects of this 24-hour aerospace manufacturing ecosystem to enhance employee morale and wellbeing, not just their safety. Abundant natural light, dedicated training and collaboration spaces, and visual connections across various functions boost employee motivation and productivity. Minimal travel distances between workstations, offices, and the production floor increase efficiency while contributing to employee interaction and sociability. The interwoven spatial and programmatic complexities within the Bombardier campus are comparable to those of a healthcare facility where safety, clear communication between staff, and precise outcomes depend upon design clarity and rigour.

With a 50-year track record designing industry-specific and complex technology-based projects, NEUF brought their unique expertise and tested design processes to create the latest aerospace manufacturing. They evolved Bombardier's existing manufacturing methodology and identified opportunities for innovation and improvement while working within a tight site, stringent safety protocols, and global aviation standards.

"Designing for aerospace isn't just about the physical structure," said Lilia Koleva, Partner Architect at NEUF. It's about creating a space that perfectly supports Bombardier's workflow, its people, and the meticulous detail that goes into every jet it builds."

Bombardier is one of Canada's most widely recognized businesses and the largest aerospace company in the country. NEUF is proud to have played a role in building the company's next chapter. It shares Bombardier's drive for progress and the continued importance of advanced manufacturing in Canada, which will be studied and admired internationally for its thoughtful design and meaningful advancement of workplace methodology.

Construction Management: Ledcor

Building Engineers: Stantec

Contract Administrator: EXP

Photography: Adrien Williams