Urban Design Awards honour campus buildings (November 21, 2007)

The votes are in, the people have spoken—and U of T Mississauga’s new library has won a double honour at the Nov. 20 Mississauga Urban Design Awards.

Not only did the Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre take home the People’s Choice Award—given to the building receiving the highest number of online votes from the general public—it also received an award of excellence for exemplifying the judging criteria and, in particular, the City of Mississauga’s design principles.

The Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre

“This is an incredible honour,” says chief librarian Mary Ann Mavrinac. “The Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre is truly the core of student life on campus, and we are so deeply proud of this building, which provides a phenomenal learning environment for our students, incorporates our beautiful natural surroundings and reduces our ecological footprint.”

The highest honour—the award of excellence—was also given to the Communication, Culture and Technology (CCT) building and the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC), capping off a tremendous night for U of T Mississauga.

The Communication, Culture and Technology building

“This is an overwhelming honour for U of T Mississauga—and in particular, we are so grateful to receive the People’s Choice Award,” says chief administrative officer Ray deSouza, who oversees capital projects on campus. “U of T Mississauga is growing rapidly, and as we expand to meet the needs of our students, staff and faculty, we strive to mirror and embrace the physical beauty of this campus. We are so proud that we can share these outstanding facilities with our local community, and humbled that they have honoured us along with our fellow nominees.”

Jurors assessed each building for its significance on a city-wide and community scale, innovation, context and execution. The competition was judged by Mississauga Councillor Carolyn Parrish, Commissioner of Planning and Building Edward Sajecki, Mark Sterling of Sweeny, Sterling Finlayson & Company Architects, Peter Kuitenbrouwer of the National Post, and Harold Madi of the The Planning Partnership.

The Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre

The CCT building, designed by Saucier + Perrotte Architects, was praised as a “graceful addition to the family of space-defining buildings” and the jurors noted that “the playfulness of clear and translucent glass cleverly integrates with the natural aspects of the site.” The RAWC was cited as an “extraordinary investment in quality design” and the jury commented that the transparent principle façade “underscores important urban design principles.” Finally, the jury called the library “a truly inspiring building” and noted that its “innovative use of phenolic panels with a wood veneer skin is beautiful—its grain and use of two colours are warm and convincing.”

The library also drew raves from the public. “Stunning,” was one verdict, while another praised the “great use of natural light.” “What a great learning centre for students,” wrote one fan, while a student raved, “It makes me want to study!”