Waterloo’s School of Architecture honours its history with a commemorative event on its beautiful riverside campus
In 2004, the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture moved from the Waterloo campus to a repurposed silk mill in Cambridge, Ontario, to expand its facilities. The school’s new location in the heart of historic Galt was supported by the City of Cambridge and local businesses who recognized its potential to revitalize the municipality’s downtown core.
Thanks to this strong community and University partnership, Waterloo got the foundation it needed to build a beacon of academic excellence in the fields of architectural design and engineering, while Cambridge got an award-winning landmark that attracts thousands of visitors each year and adds to the city’s cultural vibrancy.
This collaborative success story was recently celebrated with a weekend-long event at the school to mark its 20th anniversary in Cambridge. Alumni, students, partners, faculty and friends enjoyed exhibitions, tours and an evening reception that celebrated the school’s accomplishments and its ambitions for the future.
Student exhibitions at Waterloo's School of Architecture.
Laying the foundation
Before Cambridge, the School of Architecture was part of the Faculty of Environment on the Waterloo campus, and before that, it was part of the Faculty of Engineering. By the early 2000s, it was known as the best architectural school in Canada, but it didn’t have the space to build on its growing reputation. Recognizing the need for new premises, Rick Haldenby, the school’s director at the time, worked with Cambridge community leaders and members to relocate the school to the city’s old riverside silk mill. Inspired by the success of the move, Dr. Adel Sedra, Waterloo Engineering’s dean at the time, brought the school back to the Faculty of Engineering.
“It was very much a communal project,” Haldenby says. “The bulk of the funding came from the City of Cambridge with additional support from home builders, car dealers, lawyers and many other businesses and individuals. People donated concrete, library shelves, wood doors, light fixtures, hardware, steel studs and digital projection equipment. Our students were part of the building’s redesign, sitting at the table with architects, informing and improving the quality and functionality of the building. The school was built by our community for the community, and this is its enduring legacy.”
The school’s design ethos is evident in its student spaces which overlook the Grand River and encourage initiative, creativity and innovation. Its commitment to shaping designers who care about how people experience and inhabit built structures is brought to life through its Rome Studio and architectural engineering degree programs.
“The architectural engineering program is one of our newest undergraduate programs,” says Dr. Mary Wells, dean of the Faculty of Engineering. “These students spend time on the Cambridge campus and enjoy a dynamic exchange of ideas with their fellow architectural design students. It's a true example of interdisciplinary learning, ensuring that structural and design thinking work together to address complex challenges facing our world.”
Designing the future
Moving to Cambridge set the school on an exciting new course. Designed as an open, engaging space, the Cambridge campus fosters interaction among students, faculty and the community. The school is a vibrant hub for creative and intellectual exchange, channeling the University’s talent into the city.
Dr. Mary Wells, dean of Waterloo Engineering; Dr. James Rush, University of Waterloo Provost, and Maya Przybylski, director of the School of Architecture.
“We’re thrilled by the school’s remarkable growth and the deepening connections within our community,” says Maya Przybylski, O'Donovan director and associate professor at the School of Architecture. “As we celebrate 20 years in Cambridge, we honour the relationships that bridge past and future — from alumni returning to campus to local businesses, architecture firms and community partners joining hands with us.
“Our role as a leader in cultural production in Cambridge and the Waterloo region is foregrounded by our commitment to serve society through design and public engagement, with initiatives like student-led design projects showcasing our capacity to deliver impact.”
In attendance was Elisia Neves (BArch ’08, MArch ’12) who was a student during the school’s relocation from the Waterloo campus. Neves now owns her own firm, Fabrik Architects Inc., in Cambridge which employs Waterloo co-op students.
“There’s a renewed post-pandemic energy among students to connect with the community and work on projects that enliven public spaces,” Neves says. “In the last few years, the area around my company has become very active with events spaces, shops, cafe courtyards –– all done with an eye for design. Local businesses like mine are excited to see this development and be a part of it –– we want more of the school’s creativity and energy to spill out into Cambridge, both the city and the students have so much to gain from each other.”
The School of Architecture’s Citizens and Cities Fund supports undergraduate and graduate student projects and initiatives that build community living within city environments. Please contact Julie Dring if you would like to know more or make a donation.
Banner image credit: Fred Hunsberger
