Renovations enhance studio, learning and research spaces
The Jewelry Studio was expanded and reorganized
to integrate a better workflow along with new equipment.
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As OCAD University gears up for another school year, students can expect to see improvements to campus buildings, including improved studio and learning spaces for the Material Art and Design (MAAD) program and a new research lab in sustainable art and design practices.
These improvements reflect the University’s ongoing investments to enhance the learning, research and campus experience for students by creating more functional, flexible and collaborative spaces for students, faculty and the broader University community.
IMPROVED STUDIOS AND LEARNING SPACES
Textile Studio, pictured above, includes new storage and dye kitchen infrastructure.
The Jewelry and Textile studios, located on the second floor at 100 McCaul St., were renovated to accommodate a class size of 30 students in each area, improving access to the MAAD program.
The Jewelry and Textile studios, located on the second floor at 100 McCaul St., were renovated to accommodate a class size of 30 students in each area. The Jewelry Studio was expanded and reorganized to integrate a better workflow along with new equipment while the Textile Studio was reorganized to provide an improved presentation space for students and to include new storage and dye kitchen infrastructure.
As a result, these upgrades will strengthen the MAAD program and provide new opportunities for curriculum delivery, extracurricular activities and industry partnerships.
NEW BIO-ART AND LIVING MATERIALS LAB The Joan & Clifford Hatch Foundation Bio-art and Living Materials Lab was established in room 460 at 100 McCaul St. and is the first space at the building solely dedicated to research.
The new lab will enable new cross-university collaborations across art, design, science, Indigenous knowledge, sustainability and material innovation. It will provide new opportunities for curriculum delivery, student-led inquiry, interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and external partnerships.
RETROFIT OF GRADUATE STUDIO The Graduate Studio in room 611 at 205 Richmond St. W. now includes new semi-private work spaces for graduate students with a maker-based practice. The retrofitted space has a thoughtful layout of new three-quarter height partitions that were added to provide more functional and flexible studio space, while maintaining natural light throughout the space.
RELOCATION OF EXPERIMENTAL ANIMATION STUDIO The Experimental Animation Studio has moved to room 314 at 100 McCaul St. from room 460. The new set-up includes a range of furniture and equipment to support studio practice for senior students in the program. This new location will promote collaboration between other programs on the third floor, including Integrated Media, Advertising and Industrial Design as well as OCAD U LIVE.
RELOCATION OF CAMPUS LIFE LOUNGE To support regular programming and events for the more than 50 student clubs and committees, the Campus Life lounge has moved to room 287 at 100 McCaul St., so it is closer to the main lobby and public facing spaces on the first and second floors. The lounge was previously located in room 314.
ADVANCING ENERGY-SAVING MEASURES An electrical service upgrade, coupled with upgrading the air conditioning infrastructure of the transformer room at 100 McCaul St., were important steps in enabling the University to switch from gas to electricity as the main source of energy for several Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) units.
To help reduce energy consumption and improve lighting quality and maintenance performance, the campus-wide replacement of fluorescent lighting fixtures with LED continued on the third floor at 100 McCaul St.
Funding for some of these renovations and upgrades has come primarily from Ontario government grants and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Some components of projects were financed through the University’s capital budget and private donations.
