University of Waterloo School of Architecture

Relocating the School of Architecture from the University of Waterloo campus to Cambridge Ontario, we repositioned the School as a model of design, sustainability and urban renewal.

Anchored on the bank of the Grand River, in the century-old Riverside Silk Mills, the School of Architecture is a beacon within Cambridge’s downtown core. Our architectural strategy preserved the existing structure and enhanced it with refining contemporary details.

The brick and masonry piers of the historic façade form a formal rhythm with the new steel frame windows. On the interior, the former factory’s expansive floorplate translates into dynamic, open studios, informal teaching nooks and critique spaces. We carved out a central atrium that establishes an airy, three-storey hub punctuated by blackened-steel cantilevered staircases that provide sweeping views of the river. It is impossible to move through the building without passing through the atrium, so it also serves as a place of interaction and collaboration. Adjacent to the atrium on various levels are key amenities such as two ground floor auditoriums, a second-floor library a mezzanine lounge and a third floor critique space.

By design, the School of Architecture is a didactic model of building assembly. Exposed connections and mechanical systems demonstrate their own utility and construction. Our decision to “listen and respect” the existing buildings bones allowed us to preserve the raw and durable surfaces, rendering them suitable for exhibition, intervention and creativity. Distinctive spaces such as the auditorium and the library are elevated by employing finer materials and craftsmanship. Waterloo’s emphasis on the craft of architecture is highlighted though select details such as the custom-designed glass canopy over the main entrance that casts the word “ARCHITECTURE” underfoot and along the old masonry wall.

Beyond retaining the building, practicality and sustainability were driving factors for all design and material selections, reinforcing the notion that quality design can no longer be skin deep. This also minimized the amount of new material required and construction waste produced.

Funded by local businesses as well as all levels of government, the project is a model for public-private partnerships. It augments the University’s facilities and serves as an instrument of knowledge and experience for the profession. It has enabled Cambridge to remediate a prominent brownfield site, extend its downtown core, reconnect its “Riverwalk” promenade and provide the public with access to a riverfront café, a design gallery and an auditorium that hosts community functions. The staff and students have instantly invigorated the local economy and since the school operates day and night, it continuously animates the city.