Brock University
Graduate Student Centre
Opportunity
The Graduate Student Association of Brock University recognized a need for a dedicated space where graduate students could connect and network. They wanted a space that reflected the university’s positive student culture while addressing the absence space tailored to the unique needs of its graduate student population. The opportunity emerged to design and conceptualize a Graduate Student Centre to foster a sense of belonging and support.
Response
In what became both a fun and fast-tracked process, the team worked closely with student representatives to navigate through three iterative programming options. Situated on a uniquely sloped site with limited greenspace, the design response to the project employed a structural grid to optimize the building footprint, while enhancing the connection to the surrounding landscape. Social gathering spaces, including a central kitchen and bar, were prioritized to encourage community interaction, complemented by new GSA offices and a flexible multi-purpose boardroom to accommodate various activities. The design not only fulfills the society’s vision for a dedicated space but also invites graduate students to participate in a creative campaign titled “Home to Call Our Own,” rallying unprecedented support for the project through a public referendum.
Project Facts
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Services
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Location
St. Catharines, Ontario
Partners and Consultants
