Seneca College, Health & Wellness Centre (Design Competition)
Toronto, Ontario
In Collaboration with Two Row Architect
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Gymnasium (1200 Spectator Seats), Fitness Studios, Running Track, Golf Simulator, Bowling Alley, Student Wellness Centre: Food Services and Student Kitchen, Student Federation Space, Multi-Faith Centre, Counselling Rooms, Medical Treatment Rooms, Multipurpose Rooms, Meeting Rooms, Study Spaces, Rooftop Event Terrace, Dish with One Spoon Courtyard, Fitness Courtyard
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Structural: Blackwell
Mechanical: TMP
Electrical: Mulvey & Banani
Landscape: MJMA
This competition scheme plans a new student precinct at Seneca College’s Newnham Campus with the design of a 100,000sf student facility housing an array of athletics, recreation, and wellness programs as well as social and study spaces. Designed collaboratively with Brian Porter of Two Row Architect, the proposed bold transformation of the campus leads with landscape—honouring nature and re-naturalizing the site.
The master plan organizes the precinct along two landscaped spines—one east-west, connecting new spaces to existing infrastructure and student buildings, and the other a north-south health and wellness axis. Along the latter is the new student hub, divided into two buildings, and seven new outdoor spaces. The design draws on local Indigenous history and culture, with an emphasis on the teachings that humanity’s stewardship of the earth is essential to our long-lasting mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. This ‘Planning for the Seventh Generation’ drove the sustainability-focused landscape approach and targeting of Net-Zero Energy.
The master plan proposes to begin with the principle of sculpting the earth to define naturalized places for gathering and for siting architectural elements. Then, creating a system of forests and rain gardens will work to define and establish movement, habitation, and the future growth of campus. Finally, a pair of sister volumes will maximize connections between interior and exterior, and allow for more full definition of new and existing landscaped spaces.
The largest courtyard sits at the intersection of the master plan’s two organizational axes. It celebrates the spirit of the Dish with One Spoon, an Indigenous concept referring to an agreement between nations to share territory, with each taking only what they need from the land to leave an abundance for future generations.
A central circular canopy connects all surrounding buildings and wraps the inner courtyard. Both of the sister building’s arrival lobbies face onto the new courtyard along with an adjacent existing building lobby and the expansive glazed space of the existing student residence dining hall.
The Recreation and Athletic Centre’s central volume houses a singular field house with three FIBA/FIVB courts. Two courts are contained as event spaces, seating 1,200 with a central ’showcourt’. The remaining space is a dedicated double-gym for unimpeded recreation use.
The Student Centre sits on the south of the courtyard and similarly has a double height lobby facing into the courtyard as a student event centre. This building’s massing is lower but developed with a similar structural approach and rhythm as the Athletics and Recreation volume.
