Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/493534
A PR IL 2015 | 83 Learning Resource Commons – Humber College RENDERINGS COURTESY B+H ARCHITECTS Learning Resource Commons – Humber College by SUSAN PEDERSON A successful building project depends on hiring the perfect combination of architects, engineers, contrac- tors and designers. Working with a co-operative, knowledgeable client is a bonus. But when the project is a design- build, with government holding the reins, project teams have been known to gain a few extra grey hairs during the process, and the icing on the cake is usu- ally rendered only if everyone is still on speaking terms in the end. The Learning Resource Commons (LRC) at Humber College in Toronto, a design-build project funded by the Ministr y of Training, Colleges and Universities, (with additional funding from Humber College) is the first of three such projects (Sheridan College in Oakville and Senica College are next). The project team on Humber's stunning edifice, which serves as the gateway to the North Campus, is not only on speak- ing terms, but speak well of each other. Talk about a success story. The 260,000-square-foot, six-storey, LEED Silver and Toronto Green Standard Tier 1 building features a student gallery and commons, the Registrar's office, an International Centre, the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences and administrative offices, for starters. Group and indepen- dent study space is carved into the design, and a two-storey library is designed to celebrate both the latest technology and the increasingly social role of a school library. It was long overdue. "The original library building was designed for 10,000 students. We have doubled that number now," says Carol Anderson, senior director, Humber College. "We also wanted a building that encompassed all the career support ser- vices and a study area. This is the largest building on campus and it really frames the entrance to the campus." Substantial completion was reached at the end of March, and no sooner was the paint dry and the lights switched on, before staff began migrating into the new space, with students not far behind. September will see the grand opening of the project, which stands out as a resplendent addition to the original building, built over 40 years ago. "The college is made up of a collec- tion of buildings constructed as fund- ing has become available. It's an eclectic mix of buildings, but what is fantastic about the commons is that it conceals those older buildings," adds Anderson. "It adds a fresh modern updated look to the campus." Douglas Birkenshaw, principal, with B + H Architects, who submitted the winning bid for the project, is also pleased with the results. He admits that working with an "alternate finance package" can slow down the process, but adds that this is becoming the norm for these types of projects. "The trick is to maintain a certain quality. We typically can make changes at the initial document stage, and take it through to a very evolved stage to implement changes that will add value, by reducing costs or adjusting schedul- ing. The partner contractor and con- sortia can work together towards that process," says Birkenshaw. And while some note the campus is a veritable potpourri of building styles, Birkenshaw enjoyed the freedom to design a cost-effective project without the constraints of specific design features. "Its not like you are designing a build- ing at Queen's University and they are saying 'you must use this limestone,'" adds Birkenshaw. He cites the central staircase as a highlight of this project, not only as a wayfinding component, but also as an animated feature that required some creative tweaking of building codes. David Gibson, construction manager with PLC Constructors, also notes the central staircase as being a standout design feature, not only for its impres- sive presence, but also for the intricate installation process. "There was a lot of engineering and double and triple checking when it came time to hoist that staircase into place. We managed to do this with no damage, and then once it was in place, it was surrounded in scaffolding from the ground up so it could be clad in wood. Adding that really allowed the staircase to shine," says Gibson. Indeed the entire interior of the building shines, thanks to the north fac- ing curtain wall that infuses the space with an abundance of natural light. The LRC is also linked to existing buildings, in part, through a pedestrian prom- enade, and a multi-use courtyard space. John Quinn, principal with Quinn Design Associates Inc. explains. "One design challenge was to seamlessly integrate existing buildings and grades