The School of Architecture is a nationally and internationally respected design school. It attracts top students and is dedicated to educating the best architects in the world.
A Historic Setting
The School is located in a historic building - the former Riverside Silk Mill. Situated along the banks of the Grand River in Cambridge, the former industrial building provides wonderful spaces for design studios, labs, and classrooms. It also includes a design library, exhibition galleries, public auditorium, and cafe.
As part of the historic downtown core of Galt, set within the larger City of Cambridge, the location is extremely attractive for a school of architecture. The urban landscape in the surrounding community is one of the most beautiful in Ontario. There are several heritage buildings nearby and the Grand River is a powerful presence. A designated Heritage River, the Grand River is a principal element in a diverse system of natural spaces within the City of Cambridge.
Student life
Students are immersed in the urban setting by living in the community surrounding the School. Architecture students often find that the structured nature of residence doesn't suit their schedule in the program and they prefer the flexibility of living off campus. Students have access to recreational facilities in Cambridge as well as to services on the main University of Waterloo campus. The Off-Campus Housing office at University of Waterloo can provide a list of rental accommodations in Cambridge.
The professional Master of Architecture in conjunction with the pre-professional Bachelor of Architectural Studies degree from the University of Waterloo compromises an accredited professional education.
The Waterloo School of Architecture is part of the University of Waterloo Faculty of Engineering, The Waterloo Engineering Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (PDF) focuses on five priorities that will determine the direction and ongoing success of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo for the next five years. As Canada’s largest engineering school and ranked in the top 50 worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering continues to offer undergraduate and graduate students the most robust, unique, and experiential education anywhere in the world and is fearless in its pursuit of research excellence in emerging technologies. This Strategic Plan 2020-2025 is based upon our vision which will inspire leaders to define new frontiers in education, entrepreneurship and research to better serve society.