Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/178290
PHOTOS: TOM RIDOUT Student Residences – Orillia Campus – Lakehead University by Angela Altass akehead University has a new student residence at 500 University Avenue in Orillia, Ontario. The student residence, along with a cafeteria/bookstore facility, completes phase one of a development project at the university's Orillia campus. "We are delighted to have established a presence in both downtown Orillia and on our 85-acre University Avenue site," says Dr. Kim Fedderson, dean and vice-provost, Orillia Campus, Lakehead University. "We are keenly interested in continuing to work with the City of Orillia, Simcoe County and our provincial and federal partners as we move into phase two of the campus development." At a cost of $18,000,000, development provides a full campus experience for students and enhances the university's ability to attract students from throughout Ontario and beyond, says Fedderson. "We are now able to provide year-round conference services at the Orillia campus," he says. "We look forward to contributing to the arts, culture and community development of Simcoe County through special programming directed at all age groups." Creating an ef icient room layout that acts as a home for students was challenging. "The award of the designbuild residence for Lakehead University in Orillia was both a privilege and a challenge," says Liz Strasman, associate with Strasman Architects Inc. "The mandate from the university was for the design-build delivery of a 271-bed student residence to achieve LEED Platinum certi ication and be compatible with the master plan for Lakehead's new campus in Orillia." Challenges associated with the project included a tight schedule. "Awarded L in spring 2010, the projected completion date from the original request for proposals was September 2011 but due to unforeseen weather problems, the project progressed with a phased occupancy, with partial occupancy in October 2011," says Strasman. A tight schedule was made more dificult due to a very wet spring, says Joel Voskuil, senior project manager, Buttcon Limited. "We were happy to be part of this project team," notes Voskuil. "With design-build projects, there is much more of a team effort between owner, consultants and contractor." Obtaining site plan approval and building permits with the tight timeframe and enduring winter construction were challenging, says Strasman. "Achieving LEED Platinum certi ication under these constraints without incurring signi icant capital costs was a challenge as was designing within the evolving campus master plan concept," he notes. "We achieved LEED Platinum numbers by the design and orientation of the building through thoughtful and sensitive resolutions, such as large naturally lit areas in all common areas including corridors and bedrooms to reduce usage of arti icial lighting and providing secured bike storage as encouragement for usage. Utilization of a prefabricated bike shelter reduced costs and the construction schedule. Careful and sensitive selection of materials and products, such as low-VOC paints and adhesives and motion-sensitive lighting controls, further enhanced and achieved our LEED numbers. All suite doors and millwork is FSC-certi ied maple wood. Carpet looring tiles were used for durability and recycled content. Off site assemblies were used to avoid off-gassing." Student Residences – Orillia Campus – Lakehead University p.76-77Lakehead student res.indd 77 Landscaping incorporated a stormwater iltration system and a bioswale, says Strasman. "We enhanced security by framing the courtyard and campus pedestrian pathway with the eyes of the student community and locating the bicycle storage shelter in the courtyard in view of rooms," he says. It was important that the project incorporated a high level of sustainable design, says Carissa Green, sustainability project manager, Provident Energy Management Inc. "The challenge was to incorporate the sustainable design measures while keeping the project on budget, on schedule and maintaining a highly functional building design," says Green. "Provident Energy Management Inc. has been involved in numerous projects that worked towards LEED and sustainability design standards. What makes this project stand out is the high level of sustainable design incorporated into the project by following the highest level of LEED design standards." Green adds that being part of the integration of sustainability into the design was an exciting opportunity. "It was very rewarding to be part of a project team that shared a strong interest in design and construction practices that support environmental responsibility, reduced energy and water consumption, and promote well-being," says Green. The seven-storey, L-shaped building has one barrier-free suite per loor. Each loor contains a lounge and kitchenette, study room and a suite for the Don. "The ground loor houses residence communal spaces, administrative of ices and has conference capability," says Strasman. "The entrance and common areas are designed around a central elevator core at the intersection of the L shape. Glazed walls allow in natural light and views out from common rooms overlook either the landscaped courtyard or street. Interior glazing on corridor walls of common spaces allows natural light into the interior central core." Exterior inishes, selected for quality and durability, consist of brick and concrete block masonry veneer cladding articulated by a rhythm of aluminum windows. "The masonry is consistent with the material palette established by the university," says Strasman. The design promotes community and social interaction by placing communal loor spaces around access points. This also allows students to be aware of the comings and goings of visitors or strangers, says Strasman. Safety and security is further enhanced through a doublesuite model with the Don's suite located centrally on each loor. While safety is at the forefront, the team strove to achieve a balanced atmosphere conducive to individual quiet study and a memorable active social life. ■ LOCATION 500 University Avenue Orillia, Ontario OWNER Lakehead University ARCHITECT Strasman Architects Inc. DESIGN BUILD CONTRACTOR Buttcon Limited STRUCTURAL CONSULTANT Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd. LEED/COMMISSIONING CONSULTANT Provident Energy Management Inc. TOTAL AREA 89,383 square feet TOTAL COST $18,000,000 APRIL 2012 /77 3/26/12 2:41:12 PM