WLU Centre for Global Innovation and Exchange | ? m | ? fl

[UrbanWaterloo]

WLU Centre for Global Innovation and Exchange
University Ave on St Michael's Campus, Waterloo

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1006&d=1331828370


Former Rendering
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1007&d=1331828507
https://www.wlu.ca/images/galleries/933/streetview_02_12_11_01.jpg

From: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/cgi-bin/top10.pl?rm=show_top10_project&id=c11d0064d6385ca54e6c66ad482008367c131c82&projectid=9105347&region=ontario


UNIVERSITY BUILDING

Estimated Cost: $27,510,000

Notes: Request for Proposals from Architectural and Engineering Services has closed at the Owner. Selection process is underway. Schedules for design, tender and construction are undetermined. Further update early 2010.

Project: Proposed environmentally friendly construction of a Global Innovation and Exchange Building on Wilfrid Laurier University's St. Michael Campus. This project will aim for LEED Silver Certification.

Scope: 210,000 square feet

Development: New

Category: Educational buildings

[Spokes]

According to WLU's Campus Master Plan (http://www.wlu.ca/documents/37546/Campus_Master_Plan_(Waterloo)_Open_House_Display_S ept_30_%26_Oct_1%2C_2009.pdf) this building should have a lot more integration with University ave. And it will be connected to the central campus, over University Ave with a skyway.

Im excited to see what the proposals look like, and how it effects that area.

Looking at the master plan, this will be a U shaped building, I wonder how many floors it will take to get 210,000 sq. ft. Hopefully 5+ (that would work out to 42,000 sq ft per floor. Does that sound reasonable?)

[RangersFan]

I am also looking forward to seeing the proposals for this project. I think it has the potential to really change University Ave.

[Spokes]

If you haven't checked out the Campus master plan, its worth the time. They've got some really interesting ideas for their future. They're planning something like 20 years down the road. It's going to be exciting to watch them expand, and densify.

[UrbanWaterloo]

This report Mon Feb 08, 2010.
UNIVERSITY BUILDING Proj: 9105347-3
Waterloo, Waterloo Reg ON PREPARING PLANS
Centre for Global Innovation and Exchange, University Ave on St Michael's Campus, N2L
http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/cgi-bin/top10.pl?rm=show_top10_project&id=c11d0064d6385ca54e6c66ad482008367c131c82&projectid=9105347&region=ontario

$27,510,000 est
Note: Architectural Services have recently been awarded. Scope of work, schedules for design, tender and construction are undetermined. Further update May 2010.
Both Architectural Firms are working on this project.
Project: proposed environmentally friendly construction of a Global Innovation and Exchange Building on Campus. This project will aim for LEED Silver Certification.
Scope: 210,000 square feet
Development: New
Category: Educational bldgs
First report Mon Jul 27, 2009. Last report Wed Nov 25, 2009.

[diego]

If you haven't checked out the Campus master plan, its worth the time. They've got some really interesting ideas for their future. They're planning something like 20 years down the road. It's going to be exciting to watch them expand, and densify.

Much more exciting than UW by the way, WLU is becoming really integrated into the city which can only be good.

[Greg Moore]

If you haven't checked out the Campus master plan, its worth the time. They've got some really interesting ideas for their future. They're planning something like 20 years down the road. It's going to be exciting to watch them expand, and densify.
Anyone have a link to it?

[Spokes]

Here you go: http://www.wlu.ca/documents/37546/Campus_Master_Plan_(Waterloo)_Open_House_Display_S ept_30_%26_Oct_1%2C_2009.pdf

[UrbanWaterloo]

Planning for St. Mike’s campus redevelopement underway
Mike Lakusiak, The Cord
March 31, 2010 6:24 AM
http://www.thecord.ca/articles/29843

http://hotink.theorem.ca/system/cord/images/000/012/646/St_Mikes-crop-Nick_Lachance_large.jpg?1270661525

As part of Laurier’s Campus Master Plan, a substantial amount of renewal is proposed for both the main campus as well as the university’s facilities to the east, west and most promising, north across University Avenue.
The St. Michael’s campus, a former elementary school that the university acquired in 2001, is the target of major plans for construction of a large multi-story building that would house the School of Business and Economics as well as the math department, graduate studies, research facilities and student organizations. The Global Innovation Exchange building would also have office space to cater to local companies that would be interested in working with the university and recruiting graduates.
“We’re trying to design a building that makes it really easy for people to have ongoing dialogue,” said dean of business and economics Ginny Dybenko, who sat on the project team that organized initial planning of the building.
“That’s what the innovation exchange is all about,” she continued. “The whole lower floor is going to be orchestrated so that there’s tons of opportunity for business people from the community to come in.”
The building is also proposed to be environmentally friendly and very energy efficient.
The 210,000 square foot building, including a pedestrian overpass over University Avenue in place of the current crosswalk, would be Laurier’s flagship building at the Waterloo campus according to documents sent to prospective architectural firms.
“This is the highest priority for the university here in Waterloo,” said Laurier president Max Blouw.
“What’s important that people understand is that this is a plan and plans you execute as you’re able to. What we’re proposing will cost a lot of money.” In light of uncertainty with the university’s current financial situation, where the capital to undertake such a project would come from is crucial.
As the projected cost of the building has been estimated at $27.5 million, Blouw explained, “It’s actually more like double that when you get everything done.” “There’s certainly going to be a significant amount of provincial funding, I’m not certain we can raise that kind of money with a targeted fundraising campaign.”
The project is making steps forward however, as an architectural firm has been recently selected. The intention of the university is to present more detailed plans to potential investors and the provincial government as soon as the firm completes preliminary blueprints.
“What we’ll be doing over the summer, based on what I’ve been hearing from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is putting together a renewed capital request,” said Blouw. “The province needs to look at what we’re proposing, what it will cost and factor that in and come up with a multi-year capital plan.”
“I’m hopeful that by the end of the summer the plans will all be in place,” said Dybenko. “Until [prospective investors] can actually see it in diagrams and tangibly, it’s a lot of money so they can’t really commit.”
Blouw was cautious about stating a date for completion, even though the Campus Master Plan schedules 2012-13 for that particular stage of development to be finished.
“Can I guarantee that it will go ahead in 2011? No I can’t. Can I guarantee that it will in 2012? No I can’t,” he stated.
“It’s very contingent – these projects are always ones where you know what you’d like to do, you make plans for what you’d like to do, and you have a master campus plan that says this is the right thing to do. But at the end of the day it all depends on cobbling the money together to do it.”

[IEFBR14]

This project screams for an overhead covered bridgeway or underground tunnel across University to link the campus.

[Spokes]

The 210,000 square foot building, including a pedestrian overpass over University Avenue in place of the current crosswalk, would be Laurier’s flagship building at the Waterloo campus according to documents sent to prospective architectural firms.

You mean like that one ;)

I hope they don't do it too low to the ground, it can look really bad and make the space look really confined.

[IEFBR14]

You mean like that one ;)
You expect us to carefully read every article before posting comments about it? :confused:

This is the Internet ferchrissakes! :D

[Greg Moore]

This project screams for an overhead covered bridgeway or underground tunnel across University to link the campus.
From the master plan.
http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae360/kwliving/laurier_bridge.jpg

[Tinbasher]

I will miss my old school..but at the same time looking forword to this project.

[Section ThirtyOne]

Laurier makes bid for funds to build Milton campus
Feb 03 2011 | Luisa D'Amato, Record Staff | Link (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/481069--laurier-makes-bid-for-funds-to-build-milton-campus)


WATERLOO — Wilfrid Laurier University wants to build a new campus in Milton, but it won’t happen unless there’s more government money, says the university’s president, Max Blouw.

Tens of thousands more university places are needed to fulfil the Ontario government’s goal of having 70 per cent participation in post-secondary education.

The Milton campus would provide 4,500 spots to begin with, a number that could double or triple in decades to come, says a report from Laurier to the standing committee on finance and economic affairs at Queen’s Park.

...

But the top priority for that campus is a new Global Innovation Exchange building, worth $80 to $100 million and proposed to be built on the former St. Michael school building, across University Avenue from the main campus. The old school, which now houses classrooms for Laurier, would be demolished to make way for the new building.

This new building would house graduate studies, the school of business and economics, the office of research, and the math department, as well as outside organizations such as Communitech. This would provide new opportunities for research and for management of innovation.

Interesting that the cost of the building has skyrocketed to almost 100 million dollars at the high end of estimates!

[Spokes]

Interesting that the cost of the building has skyrocketed to almost 100 million dollars at the high end of estimates!

I wonder if maybe that includes the cost for the overhead walkway?

[Section ThirtyOne]

I wonder if maybe that includes the cost for the overhead walkway?

Hopefully a walkway won't cost the school 70 million dollars. :laughing:

If so, perhaps i'll be submitting my own tender. Sounds like there is money to be made here!

[WatDot]

Future buildings showcased
Mike Lakusiak, the Cord
March 2, 2011
http://www.thecord.ca/articles/43221

http://www.thecord.ca/system/cord/images/000/021/680/New_school-edit-1_large.jpg?1299056083


The tentative plans for the development of the St. Michael’s campus site and substantial additions to the existing buildings along University Ave. were brought before two university committees and the board of governors before Reading Week. The plans featured floor layouts for the Global Innovation Exchange building to be developed on the St. Michael’s site and the Campus Learning Commons proposed to be built between the Quad, Concourse and above the existing Paul Martin Centre to the edge of University Ave. If both proceed as planned, the projects would add approximately 10 acres of indoor physical space.

[WaterlooNative]

Just so it's clear, this render appears to show a planned new building on the south side of University Avenue. I wonder how they plan to address the changes in elevation between Albert and Hazel.

Beyond that, the building looks like a cruise ship bridge, appropriate for a global studies program.

[nchlswu]

Prospective projects like this and initiatives like the i3 Challenge have me hopeful and optimistic that something right will be done with that corridor.

[Spokes]

Nice that details are finally starting to flow about this. I particularly like that it focuses on both sides of University Ave. Should help a great deal.

[WatDot]

https://www.wlu.ca/homepage.php?grp_id=12707

https://www.wlu.ca/images/galleries/933/streetview_02_12_11_01.jpg

https://www.wlu.ca/images/galleries/933/streetview_01_12_11_01.jpg

[bzmwillemsen]

An email sent to all WLU students today:

This email is sent on behalf of Dr. Max Blouw, President and Vice-Chancellor, Wilfrid Laurier University

**************************************

The Hon. John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, announced today that the provincial government will invest $72.6 million in the Global Innovation Exchange (GIE) project at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo campus. This is the largest single capital investment in the history of the university.

The total project is a $103-million investment in Laurier’s School of Business and Economics and in the Department of Mathematics, which will enable us to meet the growing demand for enrolment in Laurier’s business and math programs, and expand our ability to deliver integrated and engaged learning opportunities to students at the local and global levels.

The new facility will also directly benefit the Faculties of Arts, Science and Graduate Studies through increased space in the Arts, Schlegel and Peters buildings.

I invite you to visit the GIE website https://www.wlu.ca/homepage.php?grp_id=12707 (https://www.wlu.ca/homepage.php?grp_id=12707) for detailed information about the facility, to look at the artist’s renderings, and to find answers to questions in the Frequently Asked Questions document. The website will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.

[bzmwillemsen]

We also have some new information about the construction and specifications of the building:

Location:The Global Innovation Exchange Building (GIE) will be situated on the site of the former St. Michael’s school, on University Avenue West, between Hemlock and Hazel streets.

Design:
The GIE will be designed as a state-of-the-art educational facility. Its classrooms and meeting spaces will be equipped with technology to increase collaboration with Laurier’s partners around the globe. The exterior design will enhance Laurier’s presence on the University Avenue streetscape, and the design will aim to achieve a minimum of LEED silver certification.

Design by Diamond & Schmitt Architects and David Thompson Architect.
Approx. 215,000 sq.ft
Four storeys
Seven lecture halls (75-300 seats each)
Two-level, 1,000-seat auditorium
Computer and math labs
Meeting rooms
Faculty and administrative offices
Student club support spaces
Café
Atrium

Construction:

The design and construction schedule is being finalized, and construction will begin before the end of the year. It is anticipated that the process will be complete by 2014.
Facility cost and funding:

The estimated project cost is $103 million, including renovations to the Peters Building.
The Ontario provincial government announced a $72.6 million investment in the GIE on June 20, 2011 – the largest single capital investment in the university’s history.
The remaining $30 million of the building’s cost will be raised through Laurier’s development efforts.

[bzmwillemsen]

We also have a new rendering and site plan page:
https://www.wlu.ca/galleries_detail.php?grp_id=12707&g_id=933


(https://www.wlu.ca/galleries_detail.php?grp_id=12707&g_id=933)As well as a very in depth FAQ:
https://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=12707&p=19496


(https://www.wlu.ca/page.php?grp_id=12707&p=19496)Also, to everyones dismay it looks like they have dropped plans for an overhead walkway.

[bzmwillemsen]

And here's another press release. This one from the Ontario Provincial Government about funding:
http://www.news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2011/06/wilfrid-laurier-university-expanding.html

(http://www.news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2011/06/wilfrid-laurier-university-expanding.html)It looks like they are funding most of the project!

[bzmwillemsen]

Province gives Wilfrid Laurier University $72.6 million

Record staff | June 20th, 2011 | Link (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/550443--province-gives-wilfrid-laurier-university-72-6-million)


WATERLOO — The provincial government announced today that it will invest $72.6 million in Wilfrid Laurier University.The money is aimed specifically at Laurier’s Global Innovation Exchange, a facility to be built on an old elementary school site in Waterloo. It will house the School of Business and Economics and the Department of Mathematics.
It is the largest single capital investment in Laurier’s history.

[WatDot]

Also, to everyones dismay it looks like they have dropped plans for an overhead walkway.

Not true. It is intended to be included with a new Arts Wing that they've dubbed "The Learning Commons". There's a picture of the Learning Commons earlier in this thread.

Will there be a skywalk across University Avenue? The skywalk was part of a proposal to connect the GIE to the proposed Learning Commons facility; the skywalk will not be constructed until funding is secured for the Learning Commons.

[van Hemessen]

Beautiful building. Now UW has an even higher standard of academic architecture to aspire to.

[WatDot]

This new building and the other proposed buildings are long over due. It's great how Laurier is concerned with street presence now. The GIE will really help build up University Ave the way it should be.

[SeekForth]

It is interesting how the renderings show a median with garden / planter boxes in the middle of University Ave.
I wouldn't think this would be included as part of a project like this.

Here is a look that is somewhat comparable to the rendering:
Rendering:
https://www.wlu.ca/galleries_photo.php?g_id=933&gp_id=15349

Google StreetView:
http://maps.google.ca/?ll=43.474975,-80.528269&spn=0,0.002411&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.474975,-80.528269&panoid=vESxmSfhQSMel4WGdmiaaA&cbp=12,286.45,,0,1.3

[T-Bone]

The renderings also dont show overhead power lines. One can hope they are buried!

[diego]

This new building and the other proposed buildings are long over due. It's great how Laurier is concerned with street presence now. The GIE will really help build up University Ave the way it should be.

While it is a decent looking building it's relationship to the street has lots to be desired; that huge setback and grass buffer is only an obstacle between pedestrians and the building. It would have been great to incorporate some more active uses facing the street in this very busy section of University Ave. Yet another interesting project influenced by outdated suburban ideas... at least it seems to include underground parking?

[van Hemessen]

Yet another interesting project influenced by outdated suburban ideas...

I don't know if I'd go quite that far... I mean, it could be a stucco box with surface parking between it and the sidewalk. It certainly has better street presence than any other academic building in Waterloo, save for maybe WLU's science building.

[RangersFan]

I think it's fair to say this adds significantly to University Ave, and it's great to hear more details coming forth about this project.

[diego]

I agree with your replies. Also something very interesting to note is how they included a boulevard on University Ave. for the renderings... maybe only for aesthetic purposes of the renderings but an intriguing thought.

[WatDot]

While it is a decent looking building it's relationship to the street has lots to be desired; that huge setback and grass buffer is only an obstacle between pedestrians and the building. It would have been great to incorporate some more active uses facing the street in this very busy section of University Ave. Yet another interesting project influenced by outdated suburban ideas... at least it seems to include underground parking?

Artist renderings are far from accurate. The set back was actually reduced for the final plan of this project. The set back is less than what is normally allowed for this area. I was told approval from the City had to be obtained actually. It will be very close to University Avenue. Again, this project will be a huge step forward for University Ave. Excited to see it get underway by the end of this year.

Set back reduction was to enable a future building to go in behind. The future building would have underground and/or garage parking. Push comes to shove. Laurier isn't that desperate for parking space yet. I am really happy with this project though. There were many forward thinking concepts in respect to land use incorporated.

[diego]

Artist renderings are far from accurate. The set back was actually reduced for the final plan of this project. The set back is less than what is normally allowed for this area. I was told approval from the City had to be obtained actually. It will be very close to University Avenue. Again, this project will be a huge step forward for University Ave. Excited to see it get underway by the end of this year.

Set back reduction was to enable a future building to go in behind. The future building would have underground and/or garage parking. Push comes to shove. Laurier isn't that desperate for parking space yet. I am really happy with this project though. There were many forward thinking concepts in respect to land use incorporated.

Thank you for the clarification! Good to know...

[WatDot]

Thank you for the clarification! Good to know...

No problem. One thing I haven't heard anything about is larger sidewalks. I would like to see larger sidewalks in this area. There's a lot of pedestrian traffic (and bike traffic even though there's a bike lane!), and there will be even more with this building. That's in the City's court though. Hopefully they are thinking about it.

[van Hemessen]

Given that the rendering shows a median with planters along University Ave, maybe there are plans in the works we don't know about? It wouldn't be unlike the Western Rd reconstruction in London next to UWO.

[bzmwillemsen]

No problem. One thing I haven't heard anything about is larger sidewalks. I would like to see larger sidewalks in this area. There's a lot of pedestrian traffic (and bike traffic even though there's a bike lane!), and there will be even more with this building. That's in the City's court though. Hopefully they are thinking about it.

I would love to see wider sidewalks all around the WLU Block, there are a lot of pedestrians and a lot of the time you see people having to step onto the road to avoid other pedestrians, especially in the winter will the snow.

[mpd618]

I would love to see wider sidewalks all around the WLU Block, there are a lot of pedestrians and a lot of the time you see people having to step onto the road to avoid other pedestrians, especially in the winter will the snow.

You can tell wider sidewalks are desperately needed based on how much is trampled adjacent to the concrete.

[UWaterloo]

Can't wait to see this completed.....great to see WLU skip the block in a BIG way. I was always envious of WLU students because their campus was so small (especially in winter) and compact compared with UW. Mind you, anyone who attends UW should be in good shape since its such a sprawling affair. LOL

[WatDot]

"Demolition of the former St. Michael’s school on the site will begin later in September and will continue for approximately six weeks. During this six-week period"

"Following this phase, design work will continue behind the scenes until the start of construction, which is anticipated to begin in fall 2012."

http://www.wlu.ca/news_detail.php?grp_id=0&nws_id=8222

[M____J1]

Daily Commercial News budget out to lunch as usual. 27 and change will be WLU's contribution only. Overall cost should be 100M range.

[urbangeographer]

Saw a purple construction fence going up today .......

[markster]

Just noticed today that the school is coming down.
Many large chunks have been demolished.

[UrbanWaterloo]

October 23, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%202%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%204%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%205%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20October%2023,%202011%20-%206%20R.jpg

[Anderson3133]

It's completely gone now with the exception of some minor piles of rubble.

[UrbanWaterloo]

November 14, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20November%2014,%202011%20-%201%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20November%2014,%202011%20-%202a%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20November%2014,%202011%20-%203%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange%20-%20November%2014,%202011%20-%204%20R.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Excavation now fully underway...

December 1, 2011

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/018%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/025%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/029%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/039%20R.jpg

http://wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Developments/Waterloo/University%20Zone/WLU%20Centre%20for%20Global%20Innovation%20and%20E xchange/052%20R.jpg

[UWaterloo]

Looking forward to this project's completion. Nice to see Laurier skipping Uni Ave.

[Anderson3133]

It appears as though this project has been stalled. There is no longer any machinery on the site as it sits completely vacant. I haven't even seen workers there in weeks.

[Trogdor]

It appears as though this project has been stalled. There is no longer any machinery on the site as it sits completely vacant. I haven't even seen workers there in weeks.

It says in the press release available in the link provided earlier by WatDot that "following [demolition], design work will continue behind the scenes until the start of construction which is anticipated to begin in fall 2012." So that explains the stalled work.

[Anderson3133]

It says in the press release available in the link provided earlier by WatDot that "following [demolition], design work will continue behind the scenes until the start of construction which is anticipated to begin in fall 2012." So that explains the stalled work.

That it does. I believe, last time I checked, that they are still seeking the construction company to build it as well. I know a gentleman who worked on recent renovations at WLU and he told me that they were, at the time, bidding on the contract for this addition.

[insider]

FYI, the design of this building has been changed significantly... I am afraid many won't like it. Hopefully it goes public soon.

[RangersFan]

FYI, the design of this building has been changed significantly... I am afraid many won't like it. Hopefully it goes public soon.

Changed significantly can you elaborate?

[insider]

Changed significantly can you elaborate?

Here's the updated rendering:

1006

Old version:

1007

[markster]

The loss of the glass pillar is unfortunate, but I prefer the new version's landscaping, in that it reflects the fact that Laurier is an urban campus, and that random grass lawns between the building and sidewalk are not necessary.

[insider]

The loss of the glass pillar is unfortunate, but I prefer the new version's landscaping, in that it reflects the fact that Laurier is an urban campus, and that random grass lawns between the building and sidewalk are not necessary.

Totally agree... the new version has a much more active street frontage, which is appreciated.

[mpd618]

I agree as well - for an urban building, this is much better.

[Lugnut]

Hands down a better design.

Makes me think of the Balsillie campus for some reason.

[bcwessel]

Every time a building is designed with obvious access through a street-facing front door in Waterloo, it is a good day. Remarkably, that's not a given right now; I'm glad to see the universities are finally starting to pay more attention to their relationship with University Ave. I assume that the next update to this render will include ample bicycle parking right out front as well.

[Anderson3133]

Is it sad that I was waiting for the redesign render to decide whether or not to get my MBA here? :RpS_tongue:

I love the new design, it will do wonders for that side of University.