Fusing Technology, Business & Fine Arts: UW Stratford Campus

Last year, the University of Waterloo broke ground in Stratford, Ontario for their new campus grounds, the Digital Media Lab.

The building houses faculty, staff, and students completing degrees in Bachelor of Global Business and Digital Arts, as well as the Masters in Digital Experience Innovation. The building in turn, has been designed to reflect the subtle blend of the arts, business, and technology.

The most prominent architectural feature on the buildings exterior, the tiled "step-out", resembles the geometric pattern of the smartphone QR code, most evident at night. The building's façade is mainly comprised of glass and faces the city street. In this way, the building has been "opened" to include the public by creating greater visibility to the community.

Leanne, the Office Manager at the Stratford Campus, was kind enough to offer me a tour of the building Friday afternoon. Above is the amazing digital media wall, which dominates the entrance of the building, rising 3-strories high. It is comprised of 150 Christie® MicroTiles®, which can be individually customized for the overall visual display. This specialized piece of technology, studied on campus, has been integrated fully into the building system. For instance, a specialized cooling system has been implemented throughout each floor with the sole purpose of counteracting the heat generated from the media wall.

The creative arts is a major focus in the programs. Again, this is made evident in the artwork gracing the walls throughout campus. The artwork has been supplied by students from the Fine Arts program at the University's Main Campus, though sound and video recording is studied right on campus. As Leanne explained, the programs are mainly "project-based".

Old Main Campus Reno

Old Main Campus gets a facelift!

Old Main Before

This week is the week summer officially begins, but for my fellow university students and I, it marks the half-way point of a blissful four-month summer. 

This past year, the House of Learning finished it's construction. The results were amazing and I am so looking forward to the new renovations taking place at Old Main Campus. The architects, Diamond and Schmitt and Stantec are to thank for this prodigious design, which includes a two new stories, one of which is to house the Faculty of Law.

Plus, I heard through the grapevine we get new computers...so that's a bonus.

During the semester, I spend basically all of my time in this building. Classrooms, computer labs, cafeteria. All they need is cots, and you would never need to leave. Except you most definitely should, as a 24-hour Revit session(s) cannot be good for long-term health reasons.

House of Learning and A Living Wall

I was lucky enough to tour the House of Learning today, during which time I stood staring and gawking the whole time! Was this beautiful building really my school?

House of Learning Exterior

The building will act as a library, with several classrooms and conferences centres.
But really, the living wall steals the show....

The Living Wall

The Living Wall spans the entire height of the building, 4 storeys, and is the first thing you see when you walk into the foyer. Composed of living greenery and flowers, water sprays the plants from behind the wall (it sounds like a waterfall) and has a water-sprayer attached to an electric crane that can spray water in front of the wall on the plants. As you can imagine, it smells wonderful...

Beautiful etched glass guards on all floors

Foyer

Study Space, 4th Floor

I think the new HOL will be very popular, I can't wait for all the books to be brought in.

Bookcases

All the bookshelves rotate, allowing for more use of the space and more storage for books.

Walking around the building, with all the curved walls, gave a feeling of exploration.

Even the modern and sleek study corrals, with their frosted glass and soft neutral colours, make studying seem like a zen experience.

 Group study tables, adjacent to fireplaces on every floor.

 

3rd Floor Group Study Space

View of 3rd Floor from 4th Floor

All of the wood used in this project was locally sourced (being from B.C., not too difficult).

This roof they're not quite finished with, but when it's all done, it will be finished as a Green Roof, complete with lush grass and plants. The metal beams you can see in the right hand corner are attached to the exterior and act as shades against the sun. Not only a practice of sustainable design, they also completely revamped the look of the buildings exterior, adding to the ultra-modern tone of the building.

Exterior Patio

A sculpture of the school mascot that graces the top of the building

 Go Wolfpack!

Skylight above Foyer

This building made quite the impression on me, and I can't wait to hang out there after it opens next week. The building is unique in that it appeals to the senses, sight, smell, sound...the University also plans to renovate the Old Main Building this summer, where most of my classes are held. It will definitely be exciting to see when I return this September!

The Building of a Dream

Throughout the school year, our class has been visiting the Dream Home being built in Kamloops.

At the beginning of the school year, we had the chance to learn about the SIP (Structural Insulated Panels) construction that the Dream Home Team was installing.

Photo courtesy of Trout Creek International Homes

Photo courtesy of  Trout Creek International Homes

And today, I was able to come through the house and see the progress they are making.

 

Kitchen/Dining Room

Love all the windows

The shower in the Master Bedroom Suite

And on the lower level...

Living Room

Bar Area

The lower level's floor is just concrete! They imprinted a pattern on the floor and stuck with it.

There is hardwood on the upper floor, though. And carpet in the bedrooms (wise decision).

Light fixture in one of the bedrooms on the lower level

It's been a great experience, seeing the Dream Home being built from foundation up (they used ICF Blocks, FYI)... thanks to Duane Svendson from Trout Creek International Homes for letting me visit and take some pictures.