UNews - www.uleth.ca/featured-project/destination

Three options unveiled for Destination Project Science and Academic Building

trevor.kenney — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 17:51:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Destination Project took a major step forward with the unveiling of three building massing options for the new Science and Academic Building.

Representatives of KPMB/Stantec Architects showcased the designs in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre as part of a one-hour presentation that elicited feedback from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community. Further comments on the options presented will continue to be collected at www.uleth.ca/featured-project/destination through Oct. 8, 2014.

“The planning conducted today, directed by the concerns raised by our community, will serve the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for the next 50 years,” says Dr. Andy Hakin, Provost & Vice-President (Academic). “The options presented this week are an important step on the path for our future, providing incredible opportunities for generations to come.”

After receiving a significant investment from the Government of Alberta earlier this year, KPMB/Stantec Architects was selected to lead the design process.

In developing the three options, an Integrated Design Planning Committee comprised of carefully selected faculty, staff, engineers, designers and architects met on a monthly basis to strategize, collaborate, tour and learn from each other. The group ultimately produced five primary objectives for the Science and Academic Building – Connection to Campus & Community, Enable Transdisciplinary Learning & Research, Provide a Supportive Environment, Incorporate Sustainable Design, Create Signature Architecture – and the three possible massing options.

They are as follows:

The Street

The Street: A curving street defined by two bar buildings follows the natural topography of the site, reaching toward the north campus on the west and opening up to a dramatic view of the coulee landscape to the east.

Flooded with natural light, the street connects people, offering impromptu meeting and learning space along its length and putting science on full display. On the south façade, a glazed winter garden rises the full height of the building, presenting a beacon of light to the campus.

The Court: A central courtyard frames a dramatic view of the coulee landscape and Oldman River. Filled with daylight, the courtyard creates a dynamic space for interaction and collaboration around which scientific activity occurs.

The Court

The openness and transparency of the court encourages a variety of views and connections between blocks of laboratory space. This interior landscape steps down through the topography of the site, creating a clear connection to ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall.

The Hub: A vibrant hub is formed at the centre of the building where paths between lab blocks and the general campus intersect, encouraging interaction and spontaneous collaboration between faculty, students and the community.

A curved atrium on the east extends the coulee landscape into the building and provides a spectacular outlook to the river. Framed views of the High Level Bridge, the grove of trees, and the Coulee Quad further connect the building to the landscape, community and campus.

The Hub

Further opportunities to view the massing options are available over the next week, with display boards set up at the following locations:

“The Destination Project is the means through which the collective aspirations of not only the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ but broader southern Alberta can be realized,” says Hakin. “This will be a hub of community engagement and outreach, and therefore it is very important for us to receive input from the broader community to help us define what is truly a transformational project.”

Following a thorough review of community feedback on the presented options, the planning committee will make a recommendation to the U of L’s Board of Governors later this fall, after which the Board will approve one of the three options in early December.

Planning for the Destination Project will continue for the next 15 months and will involve more public information sessions to keep the community informed of the progress to date. Construction is scheduled to start in spring of 2016.

Superweek for Destination Project features presentation of massing options

trevor.kenney — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 21:42:11 +0000

The Destination Project is gaining momentum and this week marks the fifth superweek of design activities related to the planning phase of the new science and academic building and energy/utility centre that will comprise the two new buildings of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Destination Project.

Representatives from KPMB/Stantec Architects will be sharing three building massing options and gathering feedback from the campus community.

“Several superweeks of design activities have guided the planning process to date,” explains Destination Project Program Director Brian Sullivan. “The superweeks involve three solid days where the design team meets with members of the Integrated Design Planning Committee (IDPC), made up of more than 20 U of L faculty, senior administrators and facilities staff, to work through many of the building concepts and help advance the design of the project. These integrated design and visioning sessions began in May right after the design team was announced and the group provided significant input over the summer, resulting in the massing options that are being unveiled this week.”

After receiving a significant investment from the Government of Alberta earlier this year, KPMB/Stantec Architects was selected to lead the design process. The team is on campus this week to share the progress of its work to date.

On Wednesday, September 24 at 11:30 a.m. representatives from KPMB/Stantec Architects will be hosting a public presentation in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre to share the three building massing options and to gather feedback from the campus community. If you’re unable to make the presentation, display boards will also be available for viewing at the following locations:

Wednesday, September 24 | 1 to 3 p.m. | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium

Tuesday, September 30 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Lobby | 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness

Thursday, October 2 | 7 p.m. | Dr. Foster James Penny Building

After the session on September 24, information will also be available at www.uleth.ca/featured-project/destination and community members are encouraged to provide feedback through the site.

“The planning conducted today, directed by the concerns raised by our community, will serve the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for the next 50 years,” emphasizes Dr. Andy Hakin, Provost & Vice President (Academic). “Your input is vital and I encourage you to attend and take part in the process.”

The customized integrated design process will provide the framework that will guide the planning for the Destination Project. The ideas and planning concepts that flow from this process will help identify areas for academic collaboration and areas of required specialty for the buildings.

Several key themes have emerged from the discussions to date and have guided much of the decision making process. Creating a supportive environment, creating a transdisciplinary environment, sustainability, signature architecture, and campus and community connectivity remain at the forefront and will be reflected in the building massing options presented this week.

“With key members of the KPMB/Stantec Architects team on hand to answer questions, Wednesday’s presentation will give our community the first look at three massing options for the Destination Project, one of the largest construction undertakings in the history of southern Alberta,” says Hakin. “The options presented this week are an important step on the path for our future, providing incredible opportunities for generations to come.”

This week’s presentation follows closely on the recent announcement that PCL Construction Management Inc. of Calgary will lead the construction of the new science and academic building. The firm, which will also be responsible for building an energy and utility centre needed to support the growing campus, will provide important insight on constructability, logistics, and procurement and scheduling throughout the remainder of the design process and ultimately manage and oversee construction.

“The work undertaken by PCL will be vital to the successful construction of the first phase of the Destination Project,” says Hakin. “I look forward to working with them and would like to thank the Destination Project Steering Committee for their work in selecting both PCL and KPMB/Stantec Architects. This is a very important step for this project.”

U of L excited to begin 2014 fall semester

trevor.kenney — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 21:34:05 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge welcomed approximately 8,300 students to our campuses in Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton this fall, including approximately 2,300 new students. And, as another academic year gets underway, there has been much excitement around campus.

The semester kicked off with a flurry of activity on campus as incoming students attended New Student Orientation (NSO). This year, NSO included Commencement, an official welcome to help new students mark the start of their post-secondary education at the U of L. Each student attending received a commemorative coin that represents his or her membership in the U of L student community.

Challenge coins are used around the world to symbolize belonging. Unique to our university, the front of our coin features the U of L’s coat of arms, representing signature elements of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ; the back includes the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s shield along with the word 'Commencement' and the year.

U of L President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon was proud to welcome new students at Commencement, and enjoyed the opportunity to share some background on the history and symbols associated with the U of L.

“As our students begin their academic journey, we hope that Commencement introduced them to the U of L community and marked the start of their experience here,” says Mahon.

In addition to new students, the U of L also welcomed more than 6,000 returning students.

Enrolment in the nursing and education programs continue to be strong and both programs are at capacity. Next fall, the Faculty of Health Sciences will admit students to its new aboriginal health major. The Faculty of Education has admitted 36 more students into its two-year program, making for more than 250 students overall. Over the next two years, the Faculty has agreed to admit 36 more students every other year.

The Faculty of Arts and Science has worked hard over the past year to create relationships with colleges in Alberta and British Columbia to facilitate the transfer of science students. That work will continue this year and in 2015, the Faculty plans to restart its first year Pre-Engineering program. Also in 2015, the Faculty plans to pilot a special liberal education program focused on water, sustainability and equality for a select cohort of students.

In addition, the U of L saw record numbers of applications to Graduate Studies after it implemented an online application and review system last year. Current data shows that offers and accepted offers are up this year and this is a positive sign for the U of L’s position as a comprehensive university.

As the U of L student population grows, so does the campus. Extensive planning has already been done on the Destination Project, which includes the construction of a new science and academic building, the revitalization of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall and the construction of a new energy/utility centre for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. The design phase will continue this year and the community is invited to learn more about the project at some upcoming information sessions:

Wednesday, September 24 | 1 to 3 p.m. | ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall Atrium

Tuesday, September 30 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Lobby | 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness

Thursday, October 2 | 7 p.m. | Dr. Foster James Penny Building

After the session on September 24, information will also be available at www.uleth.ca/featured-project/destination and community members are encouraged to provide feedback through the site.

“We are always trying to serve our students better and the Destination Project is one more way we can accomplish this goal,” says Mahon. “As the fall semester starts, we look forward to a positive and productive year.”

UNews - www.uleth.ca/featured-project/destination

Three options unveiled for Destination Project Science and Academic Building

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