The Daily Bulletin is published by Internal and Leadership Communications, part of University Communications
Contact us at bulletin@uwaterloo.ca
Submission guidelines
Quantum-Nano Centre wins design excellence award
KPMB Architects, designers of the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, has received a 2017 Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Design Excellence Award for its work in designing the innovative building.
The jury noted the facility's glass patterned façade and how it organizes lounge, office and meeting room space around an atrium. The perimeter of the nanotechnology engineering component of the centre is supported by "an exterior structural steel honeycomb, which is suspended from concealed steel trusses in the penthouse. The pattern is inspired by the intrinsically stable hexagonal carbon structure of the nanotube, and allows for column-free office space."
The $160M, 285,000 square feet building was completed in 2012.
"Two distinct programs are articulated differently, then combined through public gathering spaces that use light and a beautiful stair to make people linger," wrote the OAA jury. "Connections between levels and wings become places for the exchange of ideas—an aspiration common to many contemporary buildings, but one that here is achieved through thoughtful design in an extremely well-executed project."
"Locally, this project raises the standards of design excellence and quality on the University of Waterloo campus," the OAA notes. "Globally, it demonstrates the significant role architecture has to play in moving the world in new directions of interdisciplinary research and innovation."
University Architect Dan Parent attended the award ceremony on behalf of the University on May 26, 2017.
Photographs by James Brittain.
What's open and closed this long weekend
The University, by and large, will be closed on Monday, August 7 for the Civic Holiday.
All Retail Services locations will be closed for the holiday.
All Food Services units are closed Monday unless otherwise specified on their website.
The Physical Activities Complex and Columbia Icefield will be open on Saturday, August 5 but will be closed on Sunday, August 6 and Monday, August 7.
As always, the Student Life Centre's Turnkey Desk remains open 24 hours a day, and UW Police are available at extension 22222 or 519-888-4911 off-campus.
An exception is the Library: the Davis Centre will be open 24 hours on Monday, while the Dana Porter Library will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Hours for all branches can be found on the Library's website.
Have a wonderful long weekend!