University of Waterloo – Architecture building

“Reflecting on my six years studying within the University of Waterloo’s Architecture building, it would be remiss not to mention my positive experience of quality within its spaces. The building, once a century-old silk mill in Cambridge Ontario, underwent a remarkable transformation to become a symbol of educational excellence and urban renewal within the city. Donated to the university and retrofitted by LGA Architectural Partners in 2004, the building’s redesign epitomizes quality in design, functionality, and the agency that can be afforded through the built environment.

Upon entry, one is confronted with the heart of the building: a three-storey atrium penetrated solely by a winding steel-staircase. Adjacent to this atrium are the building’s key amenities: its two main lecture halls on the first floor, the administrative office and library on the second, and the main studio and critique space on the third.

In these spaces, especially in those on the third floor, my colleagues and I felt a great sense of agency. After-hours, the open-floor plan of the loft space facilitated our every desire. On a whim, we could effortlessly reconfigure the movable partitions to tailor the space to our preferences. Whether we sought solitude for more isolated work or larger spaces for collaboration, the flexibility of the design empowered us to shape our environment to suit our needs. This agency, particularly in a small town with few spaces fit for our age group, left us without great want.

While accommodating our every need, the building was designed so efficiently that no space is left unused throughout the year. With the co-op program causing student’s schedules to alternate between academic and work terms, the studio spaces and lecture halls perfectly accommodate these fluctuations in the student population.

Additionally, the relocation of the School of Architecture to Cambridge acted as a catalyst for urban revitalization within the historic downtown core. This economic and cultural impact of this move has led to flourishing local businesses, further reinforcing the building’s significance as a prime example of quality in the built environment.”(Booklet Positive Lived Experiences of Quality in the Built Environment 2024, p.36)

Google Map Link: 7 Melville St S, Cambridge, ON N1S 2H4 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/University+of+Waterloo+-+Cambridge+Architecture+Campus/@43.3581774,-80.3192722,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x882c77b43a111319:0x585c2c7176387cb8!8m2!3d43.3581774!4d-80.3166973!16zL20vMDhyczdr?entry=ttu