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S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 2 | 55 P H OTO G R A P H Y + R EN D ER I N G CO U RT E S Y A RC H I T EC T S T I L L M A N N RU T H RO B I N S O N The far more extensive re-imag- ining of the inside was made possible in large part due to an old gym on the third level and a decommis- sioned swimming pool built in 1948. "We took out the third level floor and pushed the space down a level by removing the pool," Tillmann explains. "This gave us our huge atrium, which near the top would be ringed by rooms on the gym level." A long, sinewy skylight and a long, winding staircase are main features of the atrium and mimic the Thames River; what seem like a playful series of circular and rectangular skylights are actually patterned after the con- stellation that appears over London. The modernization also includes new faculty and administration offices, teaching labs, and research labs, while general use space includes collabora- tive areas and break-out rooms. An outdoor courtyard was added to the East wing, bringing in more light to the interior corridors and rooms; and the new entrance leading from the com- mons to the Alumni Circle also created a thoroughfare connecting Thames Hall and Somerville House. Tonda Construction Limited began construction in September of 2019, with one of the most signifi- cant challenges being working in confined conditions to excavate the 25-yard-long pool. New mechani- cal systems were installed in this space, and a floor was built over it that would accommodate the health clinic. Another new floor above for men- tal health was cut out in the centre to admit light, and Tonda was able to reuse a lot of the gym flooring for the renovated Kinesiology department. As with virtually any construction project, the pandemic caused tempo- rary work stoppages. "The shutdowns posed challenges. For example, over 300 doors had been ordered from Quebec, and it took two years for the order to be fulfilled, with the doors arriving just in the nick of time," says Tillmann. However, careful schedul- ing and co-ordination on the part of Tonda resulted in the finished Thames Hall welcoming staff and students in January of 2022. For his part, while Tillmann is pleased with the renovation, he is already looking forward to future col- laborations with Western University. "There are still a few older buildings that could be upgraded, and it would be a pleasure to continue collaboration with this institution," he says. "Thames Hall is a great example of all parties working together to improve efficien- cies and services on campus." A Thames Hall Health and Wellness Centre – Western University 519.685.6644 | info@circellisteel.com www.circellisteel.com YOUR ICI CONSTRUCTION DIVISION 5 (STRUCTURAL & MISCELLANEOUS) SPECIALISTS FOR OVER 30 YEARS! Congratulations to Tonda Construction, Western University and all participants in this outstanding project -- Thames Hall Health and Wellness Centre. Circelli Steel.indd 1 Circelli Steel.indd 1 2022-08-23 12:53 2022-08-23 12:53

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