Overview

Set in the heart of downtown Toronto, the Ontario Court of Justice is the largest courthouse in Ontario and a benchmark for contemporary institutional construction. Completed in 2024, the project brings together 63 courtrooms and 10 conference settlement rooms in a LEED® Gold certified facility that reflects modern civic values—transparency, accessibility, and sustainability.

Master Builders Solutions Canada Inc. played a key role in ensuring the structural concrete met the performance demands of this high-profile project.

The Challenge

Delivering nearly 48,000 m³ of ready-mixed concrete in a downtown location posed numerous technical challenges. The structural design demanded high compressive strength, consistent workability, and durability to support complex load paths, security zones, and a tall atrium enclosed by a 20-metre glass façade.

The project team required concrete solutions that would:

Maintain workability over long pumping distances and vertical placements,
Ensure strength development for critical structural zones (such as core walls and transfer slabs),
Limit thermal cracking during curing in massive pours,
Integrate seamlessly with staged slipform and rebar installation schedules.

These demands were intensified by the need to meet LEED® Gold sustainability targets, tight construction timelines, and high public visibility.

The Results

Master Builders Solutions Canada Inc. partnered closely with St Marys CBM to optimize concrete performance across all phases of construction. A suite of high-performance admixtures—including water reducers, retarders, and strength-enhancing additives—was deployed to address the project’s structural and logistical complexities.

Key contributions included:

Enhanced workability retention for long-distance pumping and complex placements, reducing placement time and labour.
Improved early- and long-term strength development, enabling faster formwork cycling and reliable performance in high-load areas.
Mitigated thermal buildup in mass pours to control cracking and ensure durability over the structure’s lifecycle.
Admixture compatibility with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), aligning with the project’s environmental goals.

By tailoring admixture solutions to the precise performance needs of each mix design, Master Builders Solutions supported consistent quality and efficiency throughout the build.

The Ontario Court of Justice now stands not only as a civic institution but also as a demonstration of what is possible when modern structural design and advanced concrete technology are brought together. The project exemplifies how Master Builders Solutions helps construction teams deliver on performance, sustainability, and long-term value.

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