Facilities

In a world where digital imagery is everywhere, it is all the more important that architects are able to think and work with real materials and understand the processes of construction. A well-equipped workshop allows all Architecture students to experience the pleasure of actually making things. This may include scale models of architectural designs, full-scale constructions, or other objects such as furniture and light fixtures.

Workshop Equipment

The Architecture Workshop is almost 5000 sq. ft. in size and is equipped with machinery and tools for work in a variety of materials:

• band saw

• radial arm saw
• compound mitre saw
• panel saw
• scroll saw
• 4 table saws (blade capacities from 6” to 14” to accommodate large timbers or paper-thin cuts)
• jointer
• planer
• lathe
• drill presses
• stationary sanders
• hand tools
• equipment for sheet metal work: 13” shear, 45” shear, 24” brake for folding sheet metal, grinders, and benders

The shop is also equipped with numerous assembly tables as well as a vacuum bag clamping system and a steam bending system.

Fabrication Equipment

The workshop also contains up-to-date fabrication equipment associated with the Integrated Centre for Visualization, Design and Manufacturing.

A Techno-Isel CNC router, a ZCorp 3D digital printer and two Universal laser cutters take computer files and turn them directly into physical objects.

The equipment is available to both undergraduate and graduate students with appropriate training and under supervision of shop staff.

Workshop Safety

Safety is a prime concern in the operation of the workshop. All applicable environmental and safety standards are observed. A Workshop Technician assists students with their projects, provides instruction on the safe use of equipment and maintains the facility.

Though the assembly area is available to students at all hours, the larger tools only operate when the workshop is supervised.

Design Fabrication Labs Policy

• Design Fabrication Labs Safety Guide (PDF)
• Design Fabrication Labs User Guide (PDF)

The supply store is a resource available to current Waterloo Architecture students only.

The supply store provides students with a convenient location to purchase basic architectural supplies such as adhesives, drafting supplies, writing instruments, papers and boards, sketchbooks and basswood.

Located in room 2004, the supply store is in the same location as the ACM Helpdesk and houses two large format printers (plotters) for student use.

Hours

Hours will be extended during mid-term and end-of-term deadlines and reduced between academic terms. All changes will be posted on the exterior ACM door and the website. The supply store is closed weekends and University of Waterloo Holidays.
 

Supply store policy

1. All sales are FINAL – No returns, exchanges, or refunds.
2. All items must be paid for before they leave the store.
3. Services such as plotting are paid for when picked up. Refusal to pay may result in your marks being withheld and you may not be able to register for the next term until payment is received.
    

Plotting

There are two large format plotters available for student use. They are located in ACM on the second floor.

We will not plot files that are too large (panel no more than 35.5" wide, max. file size 80MB) and students will be expected to pay for what is produced unless it is a printing error on our part. Those who do not pick-up or pay for their prints within 2 business days will have a hold placed on their student account - marks will be withheld and they will not be able to register for the next term.

Instructions for Plotting (Plotting Instructions ) 

1. Layers should be flattened at each stage of the process - before making a .pdf file.
   *For example, if importing layered files from Illustrator into InDesign, you should flatten the Illustrator files before importing. InDesign will not flatten another program's files.

2. Your panel should be no more than 35.5" wide (there is a .25 white margin that prints on each side). If wider than 35.5" we will have to crop or scale down your plot to make it fit. If you choose a smaller width (24" x 48"), you are still required to pay for 36" width paper.
   Your panel should be no more than 48" long.

3. Files should be submitted in .pdf format.
4. Images will be printed at 300 dpi.
5. Please ensure you have properly prepared your document for printing. We reserve the right to refuse documents that are too large or improperly prepared.
6. PDF files for plotting should not contain any layers, no vector graphics and should be rasterized

Regular plotting policy

1. We have a 24-hour plotting policy. Submit files through our online submission form and they will be available for pick-up 1 business day after submission.
2. If you do not pick up & pay for your plots within 2 business days, a hold may be placed on your student account.
3. All documents are printed exactly as specified by the embedded colour profile. Colours are not guaranteed to print the way they look on your monitor. If you are concerned about colour calibration or any other quality issues for projects please speak with your professor or TA before printing.
   * It is recommended that you print a test plot when you drop off your files (subject to regular plotting prices). Colours, lines, etc. produced on the plotters vs the student printers are very different.
4. No Refunds will be given for files that do not print as expected unless the problem is due to obvious hardware failure.

Deadline Plotting Policy

The plotting policy during a printing deadline is the same as the regular policy, with a few exceptions:

• We do not accept test plots on the day/week of a deadline. You must submit your test plot in advance if you wish to ensure the colour and quality is acceptable.
• ACM will be open extended hours for a plotting deadline. All changes will be posted on the exterior ACM door and the website.
• ACM will set a deadline for files to be submitted via Learn, to allow sufficient time for printing. The deadline will be determined by the number of students in the class, number of panels per student, etc. Generally we require 2-3 business days to print for a studio class.
• If your files are not submitted to ACM by the designated time, there is no guarantee that your plots will be available for your crit.

Plotting Prices

• Bond Paper: $2.00 / square foot
• Vellum: $3.00 / square foot
• Mylar or Satin Photo Paper: $4.00 / square foot

For all media types : prints with full ink coverage (i.e. black or colour background) will be charged $1.00 more per square foot, and monochrome line drawings will be charged $1.00 less per square foot.

Hours of operation

The Fitness Centre is accessible to students 24 hours a day.  It is supervised by video cameras that are linked to security on main campus. Students must use their key to access the facilities.

Equipment

• 2 Elliptical trainers
• 1 Treadmill
• 1 Upright Bike
• 1 Recumbent Bike
• VECTRA multi-user weight machine
• Stability Balls
• Stretch Tubing
• Skipping Ropes
• Programs

Have any ideas? Contact the fitness coordinator with your suggestions!

Located on the second floor of the Waterloo Architecture building in Cambridge, this branch of the University of Waterloo Library supports the teaching and research of students and faculty at Waterloo Architecture. Musagetes houses books and journals on a wide variety of subjects relating to architecture and design, as well as history, art and literature. The collection also includes rare books, reference resources, Master's theses, films, research and article databases and geospatial data. 

The Library takes its name from the Musagetes Foundation, which provided funding for the renovation and furnishing of the space. The name “Musagetes” (pronounced “Mews-a-get-ees”) was the Greek god Apollo’s title as protector and supporter of the Muses.

To search the library collections and learn more, please visit the Musagetes Library website.

Hours of operation

The Musagetes Architecture Library is normally open every day, but hours of operation are subject to change according to holiday and inter session schedules. View the current hours of operation.

Contact information

Contact Musagetes Library staff

Riverside Gallery, is located on the campus of University of Waterloo School of Architecture in the historic former Riverside Silk Mill. Situated along the banks of the Grand River in Cambridge, the gallery showcases the work of students in the graduate and undergraduate programs.

Visit our Riverside Gallery page for more information about current and past exhibitions.