Renovation and Expansion Project FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About the Expansion and Renovation Project in General

Why do we need the renovation and expansion?

One of the Schulich School of Engineering's greatest needs is around infrastructure - both quality and quantity. In 2008, the engineering school undertook a benchmarking study to compare available space to the accepted space standards for engineering schools across the country. The analysis revealed something that people in the engineering school had perceived - that the school is significantly deficient in space. Taking into account the different needs of engineering disciplines, such as civil, electrical, mechanical and so on, the analysis documented in detail both the area and kind of space that is required. The deficiency could pose a threat to the school's accreditation if not addressed.

What are the overall goals of the project?

In the process of addressing the space needs, this renovation and expansion project has three goals:

1) Additional space for engineering teaching and research. The expansion project will add approximately 15,500 gross square metres of new space to the engineering complex to support current trends in engineering education and high-level engineering research.

2) Improve safety: In Phase 1 renovations, hazardous materials were removed from public areas. When these facilities were built, these materials were deemed safe but are no longer. The removal of these materials improved the safety of the school, laying the foundation for the expansion. Additional code upgrades will continue in the Phase 2 expansion and renovation. This will include bringing existing stairwells up to current code.

3) Improve environment: Many existing spaces in the engineering school are dark, crowded and outdated. Following construction of the expansion, renovations - both major and minor - will be made to existing spaces allowing them to be repurposed for "highest and best" use.

4) Improve quality: The high-quality expansion and renovatons will support the reputation that the engineering school has earned for high standards of education and research.

How long will the expansion and renovation project take?

Four to seven years will be required to complete the project. Phase 1 renovations were completed in April 2011 thanks to funding from the Alberta Government Infrastructure Maintenance Program and the Government of Canada Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).

Phase 1: This phase included hazardous material removal, mechanical upgrades to meet current code, energy efficiency upgrades, and upgrades necessary to prepare for the expansion. It included installation of sprinkler systems, replacement of wood doors and windows, painting, light fixture retrofits, mechanical retrofits as well as IT upgrades to Engineering Block F and the Mechanical Engineering Building.

Phase 2: The design of the expansion has been underway since the Summer of 2011. We have completed the design development phase and the project team is currently working on detailed design and construction documentation for both the expansion and major renovations. An early works package for excavation, foundations and seismic upgrades is being developed to allow construction to start late Spring 2013 should funding be made available.

Phase 3: Up to two more years is anticipated for renovations and repurposing of existing space once Phase 2 is complete. The expansion will support temporary decanting of select spaces to allow the renovation of the existing complex.

What will the new building look like?

Please watch the Schulich School of Engineering Fly-Through video.

TEACHING AND LEARNING SPACES

contemporary classrooms equipped with the latest learning technologies
undergraduate and graduate labs for hands-on experiences
specialized computer labs

STUDENT SPACES

engineering team and club offices for competition and community work
career centre for professional training throughout education
space to host student events and think tanks

RESEARCH LABS

dry and wet labs to expand research capacity across all disciplines

How will it be funded?

Funding for the expansion and renovation project is in development. The University of Calgary has placed the expansion of the engineering building as its top priority on the capital projects list that is presented to the province each year.

Phase 1 renovations were completed in April 2011 thanks to funding from the Alberta Government Infrastructure Maintenance Program and the Government of Canada Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).