Featured artwork generously provided by Cosmodernism, Seeing Into The Unknown, Artificial Life Environment, Jules Roze.
An interdisciplinary research space at McGill University
About UsOpen to students of all levels & disciplines
How to JoinPioneering a model of innovation and scholarship
Partner with UsAbout Us
An unconventional space for unconventional ideas
Our Philosophy180+
Scholars pursuing interdisciplinary projects
$600, 000+
Funnelled to fellowships and programs
40+
Different disciplines hosted at B21
900+
Workshops, community gatherings & speaker events
BLUE Programs
Leading scholars across disciplines to bring unconventional ideas to life
How to Join
Building 21's BLUE Programs
The Beautiful, Limitless, Unconstrained Exploration™ (BLUE) approach, created at Building 21 over the last eight years, drives our cohort-based residencies. BLUE brings together curious individuals, offering structure, mentorship, and valuable connections.
Wholly Interdisciplinary
Building 21 focuses on the process of exploration, not just results. We seek the accelerator effect of merging diverse disciplines — what new paths can we discover when philosophy tackles physics, when healthcare and music intersect, or when chemistry challenges our understanding of free will?
No credits, no grades
Our programs are driven by the pursuit of discovery. With no credits or grades, we ask bold, original questions. We seek uncharted territories of ideas, concepts, and designs. We train our scholars to think beyond the acknowledged, the recognized and the comfortable.
Community
We’ve support hundreds of McGill undergraduate, Master's, and PhD students across all disciplines in their exploration
The next generation of thinkers
8 years, 12 cohorts, and over 180 scholars creating new knowledge with Building 21.
Our Scholars
Where are they now?
Read our alumni stories and learn about their paths after being a Building 21 scholar.
Our Alumni
Leaders at the forefront of knowledge
We invite a diverse range of thinkers to share their perspectives with the B21 community.
Special GuestsOur alumni are pushing the boundaries of knowledge and creativity at these institutions
Visit us
Come experience Building 21 yourself at 651 Sherbrooke Street West, Montréal
See What's On
Produced by B21
Explore original projects and initiatives created by Building 21
View our podcasts & productions
Prof. Michael Levin: Planarians and Intentionality
Watch here
Michael Lapsley: Founder of the Institute for Healing of Memories
Watch here
Professor Darryl Haggard: Observing Black Holes
Watch here
Professor Paula Williams: The Psychology of Awe
Watch here
Author Alexander Weinstein: Creative Writing Workshop
Watch here
Artist Karen Tam: Eating Gold Mountain Dreams
Watch here
Betty Edwards: Learning to Draw for Thinking's Sake
Watch here
Dr. David M. Peña-Guzmán: When Animals Dream
Watch here
Professor Leah Price, Author & Book Historian
Watch here
Francesca Panetta, Creative Director at the MIT Center for Advanced Virtuality
Watch here
Professor Angus Fletcher: The Brain and Narratives, The Limits of AI
Watch here
Professor Paul Yachnin: "What did we do right?"
Watch here
David Krakauer: President of the Santa Fe Institute
Watch here
Professor Frédéric Gilbert: The Ethics of Implantable Brain-Computer Interfaces
Watch here
Refik Anadol, Media Artist & Director
Watch here
Azeem Azhar, Founder of Exponential View
Watch hereGet involved
Contribute to shaping the future of interdisciplinary education and research