Niagara College, Marotta Family Innovation Complex
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
In Collaboration with Chapman Murray Associates
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Gymnasium, Fitness Conditioning Space, Changerooms, Classrooms, Canadian Food and Wine Institute Innovation Centre, Multipurpose Rooms, Student Lounges, Café
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Structural: Blackwell
Mechanical / Electrical: Smith + Andersen
Civil: UEM
Landscape: MJMA
Niagara College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus lies along a spectacular escarpment and is known for its agricultural and culinary programs, disciplines that are also identified with the region. With a design that reflects these distinctive contexts, the Innovation and Fitness Complex comprises a new 51,000 sf (4,738 m2) addition and 129,100 sf (11,994 m2) interior renovation of the existing main campus building. Four stories tall, the new expansion’s expression is low and planar to respond to its landscape setting. This horizontality is further emphasized by dimensionally longer brick that is earth-toned, to recall the dolomitic limestone of the escarpment, as well as elongated glazing at each level that slides past the floor below, evoking geological movement.
Acting as a new entrance and outward identity at the campus’s east side, the new building is oriented to provide strong visual connections towards the surrounding vineyards and the Niagara Escarpment. The southern elevation is almost entirely glazed, including a projecting ‘viewfinder’ section of the second and third floors cantilevered above and sheltering a new walkway.
The interior offers ample learning and social spaces, including a student lounge with stunning views. The new gymnasium and fitness centre are located below grade, but excavation and sloping of the site enables these spaces to receive daylight through north and east-facing windows. This configuration also allows for an exterior garden composed of year-round plantings that are native to the region and maintained by students.
