Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1433288
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | 69 Shawenjigewining Hall – Ontario Tech University P H OTO G R A P H Y BY D O U B L E S PAC E P H OTO G R A P H Y/CO U RT E S Y M O N TGO M ERY S I SA M A RC H I T EC T S I N C . & A RC H I T EC T U R A L CO U N S EL SHAWENJIGEWINING HALL – ONTARIO TECH UNIVERSITY by ROBIN BRUNET T rue synergy in working rela- tionships always leads to great ideas and helps overcome obsta- cles – and this certainly was the case with the development of Ontario Tech University's Shawenjigewining Hall. The four-storey (with one sto- rey below grade and fifth level shell space) 110,000-square-foot build- ing, located at the University's north Oshawa campus, sits adjacent to the Campus Library and Energy Research Centre, and completes the university's Polonsky Commons quad. The building was designed by Architectural Counsel Inc. and Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. (working in a joint venture) to house the Faculty of Health Sciences, Office of Student Life, Continuous Learning, and the Ontario Tech Student Union – as well as flexible research labs, class- rooms, and study and lounge areas. Shawenjigewining Hall also contains Mukwa's Den, a space that offers a home away from home for Indigenous students. Brad MacIsaac, VP, administra- tion at Ontario Tech University, says of the design build project, "I credit the close relationship between us and the architects as well as Eastern Construction Company for delivering a building that exceeded our expec- tations right on budget. And due to the trust, while we originally envi- sioned a building that looked similar to the other facilities around Polonsky Commons, we agreed with the archi- tects that due to its corner site location it should really stand out." Another benefit stemmed from Oliver Beck, principal at Architectural Counsel, earlier presiding over the development of Ontario Tech's master plan. "Since 2012 I had been looking at the Shawenjigewining Hall site and con- ceptualizing what it could be," Beck says. The architects began the project by seeking input from a variety of user groups in 2018, the outcome of which was a unifying development philos- ophy. "The president had a vision of 'Sticky Campus,' and the user groups worked towards our goal to create a building that would make students, faculty, and staff want to 'stick around' because they are in welcoming and cozy surroundings," MacIsaac explains. Components pertaining to this phi- losophy included classrooms being generic shells (able to be easily modi- fied); walls designed to expand spaces; and areas for students to collaborate and network. Additionally, with a focus on sustainability, the new building would draw from an existing geother- mal grid; be filled with natural light and have operable windows for cross- ventilation; and in general function as a 'living lab' with exposed systems as part of the learning experience. Enhancing the interior are many architectural elements, including a feature staircase to the west (where the social spaces were located to opti- mize opportunities for natural light) that provided clear views of the upper and lower levels and effectively replaced a traditional atrium. As for making Shawenjigewining Hall distinctive outside, black granite was chosen for the base, augmented by Algonquin limestone at ground level, and precast concrete sandblasted pan- els. A wood screen wraps the east side of the ground level leading to the main entrance, and this is protected by an overhang clad in metal that forms a band around the perimeter of the entire building. "The exterior was also augmented by a series of profiled pre- cast panels that interact with the sun's passage and animate the surface," says Enda McDonagh, senior associate at Montgomery Sisam. Construction began in June of 2019, and Dean Walker, project direc- tor at Eastern Construction Company, says while the pandemic lockdowns shut the site for five weeks, "when we reopened COVID benefitted us as the campus was empty and we were able to use a parking lot for laydown and stor- age. And although supply shortages affected us, we prioritized building elements so that for example door and hardware delivery could be pushed until towards the end of construction." Walker adds that the design build process "allowed us to nip potential problems in the bud," and McDonagh points out that costs were controlled "because a form of design assist was performed whereby we were able to work directly with certain trades dur- ing the development of the design to achieve the best outcomes for the design and budget. We did this for mechanical and electrical systems as well as for glazing and precast panels." As Shawenjigewining Hall nears completion, MacIsaac again cites close work relationships as the key to the project's success. "The great col- laborative spirit enabled us to come up with great design ideas and solve problems," he says. "The result is a beautiful building, and I'm very excited to see it full of students." A LOCATION 2000 Founders Drive, Oshawa, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER Ontario Tech University ARCHITECTS Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. / Architectural Counsel GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Eastern Construction Company STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT RJC Engineers MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL / ENERGY MODELLING/ TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANTS Crossey Engineering Ltd. TOTAL SIZE 110,000 square feet TOTAL COST $38 million 8:53 AM