School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto
The School of Graduate Studies Administrative Offices are located in two century houses: 63 St. George and 65 St. George Street, built in 1872 and 1891.
Both buildings are listed on the City of Toronto’s heritage registry and required a sensitive approach to renovation that would provide modern office amenity while maintaining the distinctive heritage character of the two buildings.
The School of Graduate Studies defines and administers University-wide regulations for graduate education and represents the cause of graduate education at the University of Toronto.
The primary project goal was to create better space for graduate students to interface with the administration, with student common space, counselling and consultation space, and oral defense rooms that provided a more welcoming and dignified atmosphere.
The project commenced with an evaluation of the School’s Functional Program and space planning template to test options for improved organization and workspace efficiency. The building had been extensively modified over time and many of the rooms were awkwardly planned with poor circulation and ad-hoc provisions that severely compromised the quality of space. In particular, the HVAC and lighting systems were in need of improvement to meet a modern day Administration Office standard. The renovation scope of work included:
- Rework of partitions and layout to support the program and respect original building layout
- Provided new centralized HVAC system through entire building
- New limited ceiling installations as required to support HVAC work while preserving plaster heritage cornices
- Revised Building Exiting to allow for the removal of one existing fire escape stair
- AODA compliant Accessibility measures throughout the first floor of the building.
- New Interior Finishes including preservation of significant historic finishes
- Heritage window replacement
LOCATION
Toronto, Ontario
DESIGNATED
City of Toronto Listed Heritage Site
COMPLETED
2017
SIZE
10,000 ft² (63 St. George Street)
6,500 ft² (65 St. George Street)
SERVICES
Renovation & Restoration
University of Windsor Campus Master Plan
+VG Architects authored the University’s Campus Master Plan, which outlines a vision of the open space and landscape for the next 50 years.
The vision, objectives and key elements for the Master Plan were based on an extensive consultative process utilizing The World Café™ as a tool. +VG led strategic visioning sessions with many community stakeholders including the University’s Board of Governors; Senior Administration and
Directors; Students, Faculty and Staff; and City Planning Officials. An Open House information session was also held for the general campus and neighbouring community. Like Western, campus development at the University of Windsor is based on a vision defined through a collaborative process. At Western University, the campus consultations provided direction toward a campus that:
- Is an international place of welcome and events
- Emphasizes its role, identified a new entrance point and gateways to the campus, created new high-quality open space hubs – activity zones that connect to existing and new pathways
- Relocates parking lots to the perimeter of the campus allowing for more green space hubs
- Provides greater access and removes barriers
The Design Guidelines for future decision-making celebrate the historic landscape of the campus, enhance campus spaces and improve the University’s connection with the City and neighbouring community.
+VG Architects is Prime Consultant throughout the project, responsible for implementing the campus consultations, draft visioning documentation, developing Design Guidelines and Schematic Design. +VG has provided Community Consultations, Vision and Concept Plan, Campus Design Guidelines, Campus Open Space Design and Landscaping.
LOCATION
Windsor, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014 (Study & Concept Design)
SERVICES
Master Plan & Phased Implementation
Jean Royce Hall Servery, Queen's University
The project entails renovations to the existing student servery (585 m²) within the occupied Jean Royce Hall student residence at the west campus of Queen’s University.
The new servery provides students with a “market-style” food services environment that provides various self-serve and full-service stations. The new servery offers a contemporary dining experience and was “open for business” in September 2013.
The University’s hospitality staff needed to have input on the colours and finishes in the new servery space. While sample boards were assembled showing optional finishing schemes, it was difficult for staff to make decisions without 3D views of the space. +VG developed a variety of 3D computer model views showing the various finishing schemes to assist the hospitality group in making final decisions regarding flooring, millwork, and paint colours.
Due to the age of the existing underground services in the area of the renovations, it was understood that there was likely a need to replace portions of the existing sewer piping. In order to manage the additional costs involved in this work, +VG recommended that the University allow for monies in their budget for this work and unit prices be requested in the tender documents for pipe replacement. Upon award of the work to a general contractor, the slab was cut and the pipe could be fully assessed and the scope of replacement work was defined. The additional costs associated with pipe replacement were easily determined and work could progress quickly.
LOCATION
Kingston, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
6,300 ft²
PHOTOGRAPHY
David Bell
Mohawk College Campus Centre
The assignment involved repurposing of existing fitness spaces and reconfiguration of library, cafeteria, and bookstore spaces to contemporary use.
The project features:
- Collaborative design with high level of Student Council/Committee participation
- Enhanced social and food services space
- Fit-up for Tim Horton’s retail outlet
- Corridors upgraded to improve circulation
- Introduction of glazing to brighten dark interior and improve visual contact between amenities
- Lighting improvements
- Sprinkler installation
LOCATION
Stoney Creek, Ontario
COMPLETED
2014
SIZE
22,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation
Fred Nichols Campus Centre, Wilfrid Laurier University
Fred Nichols Campus Centre is the primary centre of operation for the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union (WLUSU), and contains the offices, services, and business operations of the student-run organization.
The original design for the WLU Campus Centre draws on the International style of architecture. As specialists in renovation and additions to educational facilities, we worked with WLU to address deficiencies in the original 1960’s building.
This multi-year project, completed in 2012, expanded the existing facility to provide increased administration, restaurant, and bar facilities. The 2011 project provides an addition for expansion of the seating area serving the Terrace Food Court.
The expansion and renovation incorporates the following features:
- Multi-purpose seating (tables/chairs, couches, counters) to enable students to dine and study
- Additional space for the Union Market kiosk
- Storage space
- sustainable design, including a Green Roof
- Student Administration space
- Student club space
LOCATION
Waterloo, Ontario
COMPLETED
2012
SIZE
60,000 ft² (Renovation)
500 ft² (Addition)
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
University Community Centre, Western University
This project involves the conversion of sports facility to student centre, including lecture halls, and student gathering areas.
The original student centre building included a pool, exercise rooms, squash courts, change rooms, and gym on three levels, as well as student services which included a food court, restaurants, bar, and movie theatre in the remainder of the UCC. When a new recreation centre was built in another part of the campus, the opportunity arose to convert the UCC recreation facilities into classroom spaces, which are in high demand on the UWO campus. A new 250 seat lecture theatre is also included in the scope.
A major challenge of the renovation was to transform the squash courts and the pool into usable spaces. Access during construction to the pool area, which was located on the lower level, was created by punching a hole in the exterior precast and concrete walls for a new set of exit doors and a mechanical louver. Equipment and steel had to be lifted into the space, and debris from the demolition had to be removed via this opening. The original student centre building included a gym with three courts. The design makes use of this large area in a new way. The student council explored many ideas for possible uses and ultimately decided to convert the gym into a lounge space with a stage/platform, and a balcony with lounge, study area, and multi-use.
LOCATION
London, Ontario
COMPLETED
2011
SIZE
83,000 ft²
SERVICES
Renovation & Addition
St. Cecilia Catholic School
St. Cecilia Catholic School is part of a new subdivision community, known as Belterra Estates / Treetops, located on the east side of Alliston, Ontario.
In addition to serving this community, the school will play a key role in relieving over population at three nearby catholic elementary schools. This new school will support students, families, and the community with Catholic Education for grades JK through 8 and have a capacity of 470 students. The school also includes a 49 space Childcare Facility (one Infant Room, one Toddler Room, and one Preschool Room).
The mandate for the new St. Cecilia Catholic School was to provide a school layout based upon programmatic layout and design standards for recent Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) new build projects. However, faced with cost escalation challenges in the marketplace, this new design underwent extensive value engineering to reduce costs and come in on budget without sacrificing academic opportunity and construction quality. The re-design incorporates the following principles into the facility:
- Clear plan organization
- Efficient space and circulation planning
- Barrier free design for accessibility throughout
- Chapel space as a primary focal point of the design integrated into the Learning Commons space
- Integrated Childcare Facility
- Low maintenance, quality materials used throughout
- 3 Mechanical HVAC options prepared for Cost Estimate comparison
The main entrance, lobby and gathering area are located near the midpoint of the main corridor intersections. This is the focus of the school. This is where there will be a direct connection to the Chapel, Learning Commons, School Office and Gymnasium. This is envisioned as the heart of the school with the double height entry space creating a clear identity for the building and its users.
LOCATION
Alliston, Ontario
COMPLETED
2022
SIZE
48,075 ft²
CAPACITY
470 FTS
SERVICES
New Construction
Windsor Catholic Central High School
Windsor Catholic Central High School is a new 2-storey secondary school with oversized student commons for multi-purpose uses, large double gymnasium and 21st Century learning spaces throughout designed to encourage collaboration.
This is the first Ontario high school designed to respond to a post-pandemic environment. The efficiency of the design resulted in the gross area of the school being 20% under the Ministry standards without compromising any of the program spaces. The Library area was kept to a minimum to allow a bigger student learning commons to be developed, which will facilitate physical distancing. By starting on site in late 2020, the contractor had 20 months to complete the project.
LOCATION
Windsor, Ontario
COMPLETED
2023
SIZE
102,000 ft²
CAPACITY
900 FTS
SERVICES
New Construction
PRESS
‘Sophisticated and enduring’ concept presented for new Catholic Central High School
CTV News Windsor
Catholic school board director Terry Lyons retiring
Windsor Star
Architects selected for Catholic Central replacement school
Windsor Star
