University of Waterloo Applied Health Sciences Addition

This 4-storey addition ties together three existing, free-standing buildings on the main University of Waterloo campus: Burt Matthews Hall, the Lyle S. Hallman Institute for Health Promotion, and the Manulife Wellness Centre.

The functional and striking expansion includes a 350-seat lecture hall and reception/crush space; a 55-seat, multi-function seminar room; faculty offices; a 60-seat dining area with food service outlets; student work spaces; anatomy teaching and prep areas; as well as several 25-seat undergraduate teaching labs for physiology, biomechanics, and neuroscience. These flexible labs will provide opportunities for both lecture format and experiential learning at pods throughout the facility.

In addition to the four research labs on the second floor, a large, multi-user research lab on the 4th floor permits a wide range of research activities including wet lab research in a hoteling concept. The open concept research lab includes both fixed and non-fixed work surfaces and will be supported by special project rooms opening into the common lab area. The entire building, including the labs, was designed to be completely accessible.

The project was fast-tracked via a design-build delivery method with Melloul-Blamey Construction in order to achieve occupancy for the summer of 2016, prior to the beginning of the school year. This enabled the complex’s underground connection and the remaining basement and foundation work to be completed prior to the arrival of the harsh winter weather.