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College Quarter Undergraduate
Student Residence - University of Saskatchewan College Quarter at University of Saskatchewan is a 145 - acre mixed - use development modelled after university settings like Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts where the energies of the university and the community merge into a lively, dynamic setting focused on active street - level uses and beautiful outdoor public spaces. The development is part of the universitys Vision 2057: University Land Use Planning project that could integrate up to 3,000 student residents, recreational and sports facilities, retail stores, restaurants and cafes, and green spaces into its overall sustainable neighbourhood design that addresses and encourages community living. Two five - storey undergraduate residence buildings positioned between 14th Street and College Drive, immediately east of Cumberland Avenue, are some of the first buildings in the project to bring the vision to life with a design focused on pedestrian culture and urban ambiance. Phase one was completed in September of 2011 and the second phase is scheduled to finish in August, 2012. The 137,000 - square - foot buildings will provide 800 much - needed beds and be an important step in the universitys goal to increase on - campus available housing from six per cent to 15 per cent as the project is built out over the next 10 years. Ron Cruikshank, director of planning and development, facilities management division for the University of Saskatchewan, says one of the biggest challenges was creating enlivening, engagingspace for students on a restricted budget and with optimal energy efficiency. In the scale of the larger project, College Quarter buildings were designed to reduce their perceived mass and maintain a sense of connection between buildings and their users. A mix of mid - and low - rise buildings maintains a human scale and shadow studies ensure adequate sunlight for pedestrians. Similarly, the undergraduate residences are a series of mid - rise buildings positioned around large courtyard space. Each buildings organization is based on the creation of two major open space elements that serve as the visual and social focus of the project, says Calvin Brook, principal architect with Brook Mcllroy, College Quarter master plan designers. "Firstly, a large quad has been created atthe centre of the complex with the residence building framing its perimeter," he says. "Residence rooms look into the quad and many activities on the ground floor spill out into this outdoor landscaped area which will be used for both informal and formal events, recreation and outdoor learning." The buildings are L - shaped with the entrance at the corner and a wing off to either side. Atthe knuckle of each L, a vertical column of each floors common space - lobby, laundry, meeting rooms and open commons - creates consistency in the floor plan and facilitates orientation. From the exterior, the glazing on these columns forms vertical walls of glass that stretch up to concrete cantilevered top - floor canopies that mark the entrances. The cast - in - place concrete construction was straightforward with no delays. The timeline itself was short - under 16 months in terms of getting the first building open. "By keeping the overall construction simple and repetitive, we were able to accommodate finer appointments in the units," says Cruikshank. The one -, two -, three -, and four - bedroom units average approximately 850 square feet in size. Each unit has a kitchenette, sleeping areas and a common space. Although they are budget - driven, the residence buildings are designed for maximum comfort and a contemporary esthetic. The unit floor plans include jogged walls and glazing that maximizes natural light and reshapes the interiors beyond a standard rectangle.
Karl Miller, principal with Meridian Development Corp., the design - build contractor on the project, says the prime focus was creating a home for students rather than an institutional setting. "We worked hard to make the units seem like little lofts or condos and yet be durable and stand the test of time," says Miller. "The look is modern and crisp, but warm and inviting." Each unit features open concept living and eating areas with never more than two students sharing a bathroom. Granite counters, Spacia flooring and wood grain cabinetry are some of the finer interior finishes the design was able to accommodate by keeping the construction simple. "We are firm believers in lots of glass in the units for student comfort," says Miller. "All units have large five - by - six - foot windows and corner desks so they are sitting at the windows for more natural light and a nice living environment." EnergyStar appliances and recycling stations support the buildings есоЗ000 sustainability goals. The buildings are heated by fan - coil systems with HRV units and individually controlled forced air units in the suites. Solar hot water heating via 60 rooftop panels provides 99 per cent of the hot water requirements. Because the buildings are positioned south of the main campus, there was more flexibility in the exterior design and less pressure to conform to the rest of the campus collegiate gothic style esthetic. A combination of Tyndall stone and fieldstone, high - efficiency stucco and extensive glazing achieve a contemporary facade that blends effectively with the surrounding neighbourhood. "One of the aspects of developing a whole new site is how to tie the buildings back into the campus," says Cruikshank. The residence buildings are connected to the rest of the campus via the GreenWay - an all - season pathway extending the full north - south length of College Quarter for safe, sheltered, well - lit pedestrian travel to and from the main campus. The GreenWay is the linear nerve centre of the College Quarter master plan, says Brook. "The buildings grand opening took place in September, and welcomed more than 100 members of the community who came to show support for the development.
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