Arup opens two innovation labs in Toronto

Global engineering consultancy Arup launched two new “incubators” at its 65,000 square foot Toronto offices: Pegasus Lab and Maker’s Lab. The two new spaces will facilitate tech-driven collaboration.

Pegasus Lab focuses on experiential design, enabling the prototyping of digital engineering workflows and visualizations of operational processes and designs. The lab features immersive virtual reality, augmented reality, and machine learning video analytics.

“Arup was the first firm to embrace digital engineering in 1957 during the design of the Sydney Opera House by using the Pegasus computer,” said Justin Trevan, digital technology consulting and advisory services leader for Arup Canada. “Today, the firm continues to innovate for efficient, sustainable, and economical solutions.”

The Maker’s Lab helps clients and stakeholders explore ideas through modeling, production, and prototyping. The open collaboration space features a laser cutter and 3D printers, allowing designers to better communicate designs solutions through wood, plastic, and light metal models and prototypes.

Arup unveiled the two new labs to clients and partners at its Toronto office last month. The event featured live demonstrations which showed off the capabilities of the new spaces, as well as special installations such as the Mobile Sound Lab, an immersive audiovisual experience which simulates existing and unbuilt spaces.

The consulting firm, which has approximately 350 employees in its Canadian offices, was recently named one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers (2020). Arup was lauded for its generous financial benefits (including profit-sharing for all employees), paid time off to volunteer, employee donation matching, and strong maternity and parental leave benefits.