Mathematics 4

Rendering of a modern looking glass building with curved architectural features and a sign saying Faculty of Mathematics

As the Faculty of Mathematics continues to grow, so too will our footprint on the University of Waterloo campus. Mathematics 4 (M4) will be a new 142,000 gross square feet, 5-storey building situated in the heart of the "Math district" on campus connecting directly to Mathematics and Computing (MC), Mathematics 3 (M3), and the W.G. Davis Computer Research Centre (DC). The location will provide opportunities for access improvements to MC, and will integrate traffic flow between the North Common and the quad. It also provides an opportunity for a new pedestrian entrance from the East Campus gateway, especially with the new link connection between MC and PAC/SLC.

M4 will provide space for computer and research labs, staff and faculty offices, and classrooms. In addition, M4 will also include space for innovation and outreach activities and a state-of-the-art "green" server room to replace some of the current, less environmentally friendly machine room facilities. In the pursuit of energy efficiency and carbon performance, the building will also provide high-quality spaces that support community well-being, including mental health and wellness promotion, accessible and inclusive design, thermal comfort, noise, indoor air quality, and natural lighting. 

The M4 Design Principles

While we look towards the future and design M4 to be an inclusive space, it is important to honour the traditions of peoples who have inhabited this land for generations. The building will be developed with a set of guiding design principles that will consider and respect Indigenous perspectives including: 

Innovation

Encourage and foster innovation by University of Waterloo faculty, students, and staff through:

  • World-class, state-of-the-art mathematics and computer science research labs
  • New computing systems and technologies to test the limits of math and computer science

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Weaving both indigenous values and modern mathematical concepts holistically into the building design.

Outreach

Attract and retain faculty, staff, students, and industry partnerships:

  • A mix of shared and private office spaces with natural light
  • Dedicated space for tech demonstrations and meeting space

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Curvilinear design and public spaces inspired by nature designed to create a welcoming feeling.

Collaboration

Provide academic and social "collision" spaces that encourage diverse collaboration through a wide range of design features including:

  • Collaborative, modern meeting and breakout rooms of various sizes
  • Multi-use informal classroom spaces
  • Multiple lounges and inviting lobbies

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Working with indigenous groups, acknowledging their land and values
  • Introduce curves and binary patterns into the design
  • Design is aligned with the directions of sunrise and sunset
  • Use the power of nature to provide passive solar heating and natural ventilation
  • Considerations given to locations of assembly, and ability to smudge

Sustainability

M4 will be designed and built with the future in mind and include the following sustainable features:

  • Reuse of existing DC office wing
  • Natural Ventilation Chimney Exhaust Louvre
  • Passive Cooling Design
  • Waterless Plumbing Fixtures
  • Heat Recovery Chiller
  • Energy Recovery Ventilator
  • Metering
  • Co2 Sensors
  • PV Panels

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Acknowledging the beauty and primacy of nature, like passive solar heating and natural ventilation.

Connectivity

Maintain and enhance the connectivity with the campus at large and within the Faculty of Math by:

  • Connecting the DC and MC buildings and creating a new Math Quad
  • Equitable and inclusive design to ensure the building is accessible to the entire community

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Flow of circulation and open public spaces creating a hub for interaction

Green Space

Preserve and enhance current green spaces as much as possible by:

  • Creating a new Math Quad with enhanced landscaping and natural features
  • Increased variety of native and sustainable plant species
  • Intentionally designed sections that allow for full sun exposure as well as shaded areas
  • The tree housing the red-tailed hawk nest near MC is not in the scope of construction/demolition; impact should be minimal

Indigenous Perspective:

  • Focused on nature, and preserving campus green space.

With these principles guiding the design process, the building is scheduled to be completed in 2025. While the designs have not been finalized, you can get a sneak peek into the building style and types of features that will likely be included in the gallery below.  

Aerial view of UWaterloo Campus showing the Math buildings and the site of the new proposed M4 building
Rendering of windowed and glass building exterior labelled Faculty of Mathematics above the entrance
Rendering of a windowed building exterior with people walking into the entrance labelled Faculty of Mathematics
Rendering of people in groups in a white roofed lobby with grey floors and concrete pillars
Rendering of a sunny lobby featuring a windowed wall, white staircase, concrete pillars and wooden slat roof
Rendering of people gathered by the exterior of building with a windowed wall, covered concrete walkway with wooden slat roof,
Rendering of a person looking up at a white staircase in an open concept lobby with wooden slat roof
Rendering of people walking on a staircase in an open, windowed lobby
Rendering of an open, multi-level lobby with windows on one wall and wooden slats on the other as well as the roof
Rendering of people sitting at tables in a wooden roofed lobby with concrete pillars and white walls
Rendering of windowed exterior of building in a green space with paths
Rendering of people interacting on rows of wooden bench seats and the surrounding area
Rendering of people on multi-level benches in an open space with windows and a wood-style ceiling
Rendering of people sitting at a window bar, tables, and amphitheatre style benches
Rendering of people interacting on multi-level bench spaces, some sitting, some standing, some in wheelchairs
Rendering of people sitting on multi-level wooden benches in a bright white lobby with sun beams coming in
Rendering of white indoor lobby space with multi-level wooden benches and large windows with sun beaming in
Rendering of the interior of a person standing in a high ceiling staircase designed to help regulate temperature
Rendering of two people meeting in a small enclave of a white hallway
Rendering of a group of people meeting at a wooden high top rectangular table in a windowed room with a TV on the wall
Rendering of people sitting in chairs at tables in thin open sided meeting pods in a white hallway
Rendering of a group of people during a presentation in a windowed meeting room with wooden walls, one is pointing at a TV
Aerial view of UWaterloo Campus showing the Math buildings and the site of the new proposed M4 building
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Rendering of windowed and glass building exterior labelled Faculty of Mathematics above the entrance
2 / 22
Rendering of a windowed building exterior with people walking into the entrance labelled Faculty of Mathematics
3 / 22
Rendering of people in groups in a white roofed lobby with grey floors and concrete pillars
4 / 22
Rendering of a sunny lobby featuring a windowed wall, white staircase, concrete pillars and wooden slat roof
5 / 22
Rendering of people gathered by the exterior of building with a windowed wall, covered concrete walkway with wooden slat roof,
6 / 22
Rendering of a person looking up at a white staircase in an open concept lobby with wooden slat roof
7 / 22
Rendering of people walking on a staircase in an open, windowed lobby
8 / 22
Rendering of an open, multi-level lobby with windows on one wall and wooden slats on the other as well as the roof
9 / 22
Rendering of people sitting at tables in a wooden roofed lobby with concrete pillars and white walls
10 / 22
Rendering of windowed exterior of building in a green space with paths
11 / 22
Rendering of people interacting on rows of wooden bench seats and the surrounding area
12 / 22
Rendering of people on multi-level benches in an open space with windows and a wood-style ceiling
13 / 22
Rendering of people sitting at a window bar, tables, and amphitheatre style benches
14 / 22
Rendering of people interacting on multi-level bench spaces, some sitting, some standing, some in wheelchairs
15 / 22
Rendering of people sitting on multi-level wooden benches in a bright white lobby with sun beams coming in
16 / 22
Rendering of white indoor lobby space with multi-level wooden benches and large windows with sun beaming in
17 / 22
Rendering of the interior of a person standing in a high ceiling staircase designed to help regulate temperature
18 / 22
Rendering of two people meeting in a small enclave of a white hallway
19 / 22
Rendering of a group of people meeting at a wooden high top rectangular table in a windowed room with a TV on the wall
20 / 22
Rendering of people sitting in chairs at tables in thin open sided meeting pods in a white hallway
21 / 22
Rendering of a group of people during a presentation in a windowed meeting room with wooden walls, one is pointing at a TV
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  1. 2022
    1. Feb
      1. Pre-Design Phase

        • Conceptual design
        • Program confirmation

    2. Nov
      1. Design Phase

        • Schematic Design
        • Costing Estimate
        • Redesign
        • Budget approval

  2. 2023
    1. Sep
      1. Conclusion of Design Phase

        • Contract document preparation
        • Approval to proceed to Tender
        • Final Design approval

    2. Dec
      1. Build Phase

        • Construction begins of the new Mathematics 4 building.
        • Relocation of occupants from DC 2100/3100 wing. 

Engage with us

If you have specific questions about this project or would like to provide feedback, please send us an email.