Laurentian University today proudly celebrated the official opening of the final capital phase of the McEwen School of Architecture, completing a $45 million 72,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Sudbury’s downtown core.
“This is a proud day for many people at Laurentian and within the broader community,” said Dominic Giroux, President and Vice Chancellor of Laurentian University. “The McEwen School of Architecture has been ten years in the making and has been made possible through many partnerships and collaborations. It’s an uplifting example of transformative change, achieved through community alignment and a shared vision.”
Planning for the School of Architecture began in 2007 when members of the Greater Sudbury community and Laurentian University representatives, recognized the economic benefits and the opportunity to leverage regional expertise in creating a unique educational opportunity.
Dr. Terrance Galvin, Founding Director, joined the team in January 2012 and has been a visionary for this unique program that embraces the resiliency of northern people and the unique beauty of the northern Ontario landscape.
“The past five years were about taking the vision and making it operational. This includes the design and construction of the new buildings, the implementation of the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program, and the approval of the Master of Architecture program,” said Dr. Galvin. “The next ten years will see a greater focus on expanding research opportunities.”
The McEwen School of Architecture welcomed its charter class in September 2013. In only three years, students have already distinguished themselves and the School through numerous national and international awards, including a first place win at the Bergen International Wood Festival in Norway in May 2016. This cohort will graduate in June. The School will launch its Master of Architecture graduate program in September.
“This is an incredible milestone not only for Laurentian but for the City of Greater Sudbury, the Province and indeed for Canada,” said Jennifer Witty, Chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors. “Laurentian’s McEwen School of Architecture is the first new school of architecture to open in Canada in 45 years. It is the first school of its kind in Northern Ontario and the first in Canada outside Québec to offer courses in French.”
The School was made possible through forward-thinking investments by the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development, the City of Greater Sudbury, Rob and Cheryl McEwen, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, FedNor, the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-Economy, Blaine and Lise Nicholls, F. Jean MacLeod Trust, Susan and Perry Dellelce and many other private donors.
Yes, Greater #Sudbury...you did it! Very exciting Grand Opening of the @McEwenSchool...great teamwork! @Dominic_Giroux @LaurentianU pic.twitter.com/fXKTaFClcj
— Marc Serré (@MarcSerreMP) January 19, 2017
About the McEwen School of Architecture
The McEwen School provides an immersive educational experience that conveys the inherent necessity of pairing technical expertise with a full understanding of the spirit of landscapes, and the people who inhabit them, in order to design smart, sustainable and functional buildings. As the 12th School of Architecture in Canada, the McEwen School was conceived as a venue for students from the North to be able to study architecture in their region. It will also encourage recent graduates to stay and become a part of the growing design community in the North. The McEwen School will be recognized for its research and design with wood, its research into indigenous architecture, as well as its expertise in studying the Sudbury Basin as a source for design.
The McEwen School is housed in a magnificent new $45 million complex in downtown Sudbury designed by LGA Architectural Partners totalling 72,000 sq. ft. including two century-old repurposed buildings formerly owned by CP Rail and CP Telegraph, and a final phase of 52,000 sq. ft. A highly competitive program, enrolment will rise to 400 students by 2018, when it will have 25 faculty and staff.
The philosophy of the McEwen School is founded upon pride of place. It is an unfolding experiment in emerging pedagogies and diverse cultures. Gathering a faculty and student body that are French, English, Métis and Anishinabek reflects Laurentian’s unique purpose to offer an outstanding university experience, in English and in French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.
McEwen School of Architecture Awards and Recognition
In addition to three separate “Insight Grants” awarded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to Dr. David Fortin, Dr. Tammy Gabor, and Dr. Kai Mah, the following awards or recognition have been received by students, in collaboration with McEwen School of Architecture faculty members:
- 2016 CCA Annual Interuniversity Charette: Reassembling the North
“Public Opinion Prize” awarded for Nutri-Nunavik: The Potential of Northern Farming (team of undergraduate students) - 2016 IIDEX Canada
Student Edward Chung selected to exhibit EAB Floor Lamp, in Toronto - 2016 Bergen International Wood Festival
McEwen Architecture students win “First Prize” for design-build wood installation (Profs. Tammy Gaber, Randall Kober + students) - 2015 Pride House that Kids Built, Sudbury for Para Pan-Am Games
Human Resources “Award of Excellence,” Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines for installation quilt of children’s “Inclusion in Sports” paintings. (Professor Thomas Strickland + students) - 2015 Science North
“Partnership Award” given to McEwen School of Architecture, for design of Dynamic Earth Pavilion (Profs. David Fortin, Roch Belair, with Francis Thorpe + students) - 2015 CANStruction
“People’s Choice Award” for PARALLAX: “a” is for architecture
(Prof. Terrance Galvin + students) - 2014 International VELUX Award for students of architecture (Vienna)
“Honourable Mention” for “Northern Lights” Ice Fishing Hut design
(Prof. Tammy Gaber + students)
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.