Trent Student Centre Honoured With Design Excellence Award

The Student Centre at Trent University, a hub of student activity located at the heart of the Peterborough campus and situated on the banks of the Otonabee River, has been recognized for its innovative design and focus on sustainability with a 2020 Design Excellence Award from the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA).

“Trent University is honoured to have our Student Centre recognized with this prestigious award,” says Dr. Leo Groarke, president and vice-chancellor of Trent University. “The Centre continues our long history of architectural excellence. Its inspired design and functionality underscores the exceptional work of the architects, builders, students, staff and administrators who made it possible.”

Photo courtesy Trent University

Photo courtesy Trent University

Opened in 2017, with student vision and connection in mind, the sweeping structure has been selected as one of ten winners from dozens of entries ranging from public spaces to government buildings.

“The Student Centre is deeply rooted in the campus,” reflects Stephen Teeple, architect and founder of Teeple Architects, the architects who worked on the Student Centre. “It is reflective of the geometry, materiality and the strong focus of the place on the river, yet it infuses a more dynamic, open spirit into the architecture.”

Photo courtesy Trent University

Photo courtesy Trent University

The Student Centre was selected for the OAA award based on criteria including creativity, sustainability and legacy.

Paying tribute to the original iconic Ron Thom architecture on the Symons Campus, the building is home to a wide variety of welcoming indoor and outdoor social areas facilitating meetings and social events, as well as study spaces, state-of-the-art lecture rooms, and offices for the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA).

Photo courtesy Trent University

Photo courtesy Trent University

Teeple Architects will receive the award at an online Celebration of Excellence on October 1st. The winning projects were also featured on the OAA’s social media throughout the week of September 14th, followed by an online voting period that is open to the public. The top selection will receive a People’s Choice Award as part of the celebration in October.

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