L.R. Wilson Hall – McMaster University

“I particularly remember visiting L.R. Wilson Hall on the McMaster University campus. This was one of my favourite buildings to attend class and to study in my free time. This building married functionality with aesthetics beautifully. The exterior of the building is modern with large windows, and planters with seating outside the front entrace. The classroom spaces in this hall were designed for different class sizes and pedagogies. In the basement, there was a lecture hall with a capacity of 500+, which, rather than small individual desks, had long tables across each row which made notetaking simple and practical.

On the main floor, there were several smaller classrooms, designed for 30-100, which had tables and chairs with wheels so they could be configured depending on pedagogy. There were also screens on all sides of the room such that students could look at whatever screen was closest to them. These classrooms were very well designed for collaboration and for seminars. Office spaces were on the upper floors of the building, which I do not recall visiting.

The building was also very practical as a study space. It had a beautiful open courtyard, around which there was a variety of low and high tables; it was quite pleasant to study beside the natural light and the natural scenery. The central space also emphasized professional artwork, which was beautiful bathed in natural light. Department offices were on the main floor and had glass walls so they were inviting and easy to find. There were also private study rooms in the basement, which did not have the same natural light, but were enclosed and soundproof which meant they could be used to practice music. The building also had large, beautiful performance space, but as I was not involved in music, I did not use this space often. The marriage of practicality and beauty made this my favourite building on the McMaster campus.” (Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.38)

Image 1: Basement lecture hall. Copyright: Accel electrical contractors

Image 2: Copyright: McMaster University