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D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 89 New Student Residence – Huron University P H OTO G R A P H Y BY L I SA LO GA N /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 NEW STUDENT RESIDENCE – HURON UNIVERSITY by ROBIN BRUNET H uron University – founding institution and an affiliate of Western University in London, Ontario – notes on its website, "Living in residence gives students count- less opportunities to develop lifelong friendships, explore their indepen- dence, and immerse themselves fully in the unique experiences offered within Huron's close-knit community" – and a new 310-bed residence on cam- pus, designed by Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson (atrr), will now help enhance those goals. Opened in September of this year, the six-storey, 118,000-square-foot residence is also a key addition to a rede- veloped quad, while integrating with the existing neighbouring residences and academic buildings. "It's a further manifestation of the Campus Master Plan created by us on the heels of our work on the Frank Holmes Centre proj- ect, which is also part of the new quad," says atrr principal Tom Tillmann. The new residence is unmistak- ably modern: a clean-lined linear expression, but also in keeping with Huron's visual aesthetic, hence stone at the base (and rising to the top at the junction of the L-shaped structure), four storeys of red brick, and bronze cladding along the upper level (a nod to the cladding of the nearby Ivey Business School). After Huron engaged atrr to begin the design process in 2018, the proj- ect's scope changed significantly as the institution ratified the proj- ect's business model. At one point the residence was to be as small as 180 beds, and at another it swelled to over 400 beds, before the 310-bed count was deemed ideal for the University's increasing enrolment rates. Distinguishing this residence from similar facilities on other campuses is the reason why the ground level would contain classrooms, meeting rooms, and an art gallery. This inspired the development of two entries, one from the quad that is a formal student entry and leads to the gallery, and the other a 'back door' leading to the classrooms and the rest of the campus. "Also, a 350-seat dining hall is a ground-level anchor for the building," Tillmann says. The hall is fully glazed on two sides and has a roof that flares up and points to the quad. The ingress of natural light was an important design objective, and this was accomplished in part with cur- tain wall for the study areas and fully glazed stairwells on each corner of the building (which also enhances security in these zones). Fritted glass was used extensively to fulfill the University's mandate of being bird-friendly. Special focus was directed at the design of the student bedrooms. "We had to get it right because there would be hundreds of them," Tillmann says. Wood became the primary aesthetic and included wood-style porcelain tile, vinyl flooring with the appear- ance of wood, and wood furniture. Also, to bring some of the exterior materials inside, stone and brick aug- mented the building's elevator lobby LOCATION 1349 Western Road, London, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER Huron University ARCHITECT Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson (atrr) CONSTRUCTION MANAGER EllisDon STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT MTE MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT Chorley + Bisset Ltd. CIVIL CONSULTANT Development Engineering L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Ron Koudys Landscape Architects Inc. FOOD SERVICE Kaizen FP&D TOTAL SIZE 118,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed area; and because Huron calculated that less than 10 percent of students drive automobiles, atrr was able to reduce parking and used the extra space for learning areas. Finally, a pathway was extended between the new residence and the existing buildings to the east, to pro- vide a visual connection through the campus from Western Road through an opening created in the building to the landscaped car park beyond. EllisDon commenced excavation and foundation work in November 2022. "The construction site was a 52-space parking lot near an existing road that required fencing, lots of sig- nage, and other safety measures," says Crystal White, senior project man- ager, SW Ontario. "Fortunately, the soil conditions were good and we broke the work into two phases as permit- ting continued and to allow for winter conditions." Precast and formed slabs comprise the building's structure. As of October, the new student resi- dence was fully operational save for the dining room, scheduled to open in the New Year. "Also, structural provi- sions have been made to accommodate a stand of trees on the roof, which will be installed in the spring of 2025," White says. Both White and Tillmann credit Huron University and their project manager, Scott Durnin, Huron's VP of infrastructure and facilities, as an ideal collaborative partner, and the lat- ter says he has already been tapped to redevelop an existing dining hall on the quad: "We can't say enough good things about them and are excited to continue the relationship. This project was long in the making, but the outcome is very fulfilling in its goals to enhance the student experience at Huron." A

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