U of O to build new Learning Centre by 2018

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

U of O to build new Learning Centre by 2018



06 Nov 2014 By Nadia Drissi El-Bouzaidi The Fulcrum


New facility to address space shortage

The University of Ottawa plans to develop a brand new Learning Centre to pick up the slack from Morisset Library by no later than 2018.

The Board of Governors (BOG) approved a motion to construct the new building at its Nov. 3 meeting. The U of O has planned to expand Morisset Library since 2012, but university president Allan Rock said the building is too small, and “nearing the end of its functionality.”

“The Learning Centre will provide much-needed state of the art classroom facilities and attractive study spaces to our growing and ever-evolving student population,” said Rachel Ouellette, chief of staff of the office of the vice-president academic and provost. The new study spaces will seat more than 800 students.

The Centre will entail two “technology-friendly” 350-seat amphitheatres, as well several smaller classrooms, said Ouellette. The space behind Lamoureux Hall will soon become a student hub with its own food services, classrooms, labs, and library. The new facility will also provide more space for the Faculty of Education.

Construction will begin as early as the spring and will be finished by either August 2017 or 2018, according to the board.

It’ll come at a projected cost of $83 million, drawn from government funds, the university’s revenues, private funding, and, once the Learning Centre is up and running, food revenues from the building.

Plans for a new Learning Centre are a step forward for one of the pillars of Rock’s Vision 2020 to improve the student experience on campus, but the university still needs to get moving on another leading goal to increase its research capacity, the board said.

Board member Monica Gattinger, a professor of graduate studies in the Faculty of Social Sciences, said that to pump up research, the university needs to retain its graduate students. Only 40 per cent of PhD candidates at the U of O graduate, she said.

In his report, Rock opened up discussion about proposals to the Ontario government to procure alternative sources of funding, and about potential research partnerships with various other schools.

The board also announced that budget consultations would be suspended this year, as the university hopes to develop a new form of consultation in the future. Anaïs Elboujdaini, the graduate student representative of the BOG, suggested splitting them up into several different budget proposals.

Rock also said he wanted to improve the university’s ranking on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The U of O ranked 188th in the 2014–15 report.

—With files from Lindsay MacMillan

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Just a bit more info in this blurb from the university--such as it will be six stories high---and construction will begin this summer--not that the university is often on time getting new construction going.

I have not seen a rendering yet---does any one know where there is one?

An investment of $83M that will create new student spaces


OTTAWA, December 9, 2014 — The University of Ottawa has approved the construction of a new learning centre to be located in the heart of its downtown campus. This new centre will feature 26 classrooms as well as more than 800 around-the-clock study and work spaces and create a convivial gathering place for students.

To be located just a few steps from the future uOttawa light rail stop, the six-storey Learning Centre will feature a food court with seating for 350 and greatly increase the space on the main campus devoted to students. This project is part of the University of Ottawa’s ongoing efforts to improve the overall experience of its students.

“The Learning Centre will become the new place where students congregate on campus,” says Christian Detellier, vice-president, academic and provost. “We carefully selected a location where the main flows of pedestrian traffic intersect. The Centre will be a friendly meeting place and is designed to respond to the needs of not only our students but also new teaching practices.”

Specially equipped classrooms for hybrid education
Recognizing the benefits of blended learning and its promising future (mixing online and on-campus classes), the University of Ottawa will dedicate four classrooms in the Learning Centre to hybrid courses. These classrooms will the boast state-of-the-art equipment that is critical for the modern teaching practices involved in blended learning.

The University’s Board of Governors approved the construction of the Learning Centre as well as the financing, comprised of government funding and funds from the University.

Construction of the Learning Centre will begin this coming summer, with the Centre expected to open in 2017.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

Just a bit more info in this blurb from the university--such as it will be six stories high---and construction will begin this summer--not that the university is often on time getting new construction going.

I have not seen a rendering yet---does any one know where there is one?

I can answer my own question now----there is not any rendering because the university has nor chosen a design yet.

[rocketphish]

The Learning Centre: a great new meeting place is born!

Posted on Thursday, Aug 13, 2015
Author: Johanne Adam


The University of Ottawa is about to break ground on another major construction project that will build a state-of-the-art $83M facility to be known as The Learning Centre, a place that will be entirely dedicated to student services.

The new building will be attached to Lamoureux Hall and will house 26 classrooms, four of which will be used for active, collaborative learning, and all of which will be equipped with the technology needed for hybrid teaching. Studies have shown that this type of teaching promotes learning because it requires students to actively participate in class.

“We first built a prototype of this kind of classroom in Louis Pasteur Hall, which allowed us to study the teaching method,” said Yves Herry, Associate Vice-President, Teaching and Learning Support Service. “The pilot project confirmed the validity of the concept so we designed the new building with this in mind.”

Two of the new classrooms will be able to accommodate 120 students, while the others will have a capacity of 60 students. Each classroom will be equipped with workstations that seat nine team members and feature video monitors, cameras, microphones and computers to facilitate teamwork, particularly in problem-solving exercises. “This equipment will allow students to share information with students seated at other workstations. The professor will then be able to project each team’s solution on a screen in front of the class,” said Yves Herry.

The Learning Centre will also house two 350-seat lecture halls and 20 associated study rooms that will serve as meeting spaces for small groups of about 15 students to discuss case studies or engage in problem-solving.

In addition, 800 study spaces have been set aside for individual or group work. “The Library space in the new Learning Centre will focus on active learning experiences that occur beyond the classroom, with dynamic and technology-rich environments where students can learn and create together,” said University Librarian Leslie Weir. “Our 24/7 study spaces will support students in a wide range of digital media projects, providing digital design studios and interactive screens allowing for immersive, large-scale displays. Balancing these dynamic and collaborative spaces will be quiet areas for individual reflection and concentration.”

Moreover, students will enjoy a new 350-space food court, which will be built on the ground floor and will feature an outdoor dining patio, all of which aims to lend a friendly, collaborative atmosphere to the new facility. “The goal is to make the Centre a meeting place for students, a place where they can eat, discuss, study and socialize. We really need this kind of space on campus,” said Lucie Mercier-Gauthier, Associate Vice-President, Student Services.

Given its prime location at the crossroads of several campus pathways, The Learning Centre is destined to become a favourite meeting place for students.

The Learning Centre is scheduled to open by the end of December 2017.

http://www.uottawa.ca/gazette/en/news/learning-centre-great-new-meeting-place-born

[rocketphish]

University of Ottawa unveils $83M Learning Centre

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: August 14, 2015 | Last Updated: August 14, 2015 1:13 PM EDT

The University of Ottawa broke ground Friday on its new $83-million Learning Centre, a state-of-the-art teaching space that in the words of one university official, will become “a magnet on campus.”

The centre, at the corner of Marie Curie Private and Louis Pasteur Private, will house 26 classrooms and 800 study spaces that will be available around the clock. The six-strey centre will have two large amphitheatres and a 350-seat food court.

University president and vice-chancellor Allan Rock said the building, with its five dedicated “hybrid classrooms” will encourage collaborative learning between students and professors. It’s a method of “active learning” pioneered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he said. The classrooms will have stations where groups of students can work together, interacting with the professor via computers.

“When I was a student, I’d take my notes and leave the class,” Rock said.

“There was no time to work with colleagues to see if I really grasped the concepts or to ask questions. This is going to change that. That will all take place in real time in the classroom, and the technology will allow the professor to monitor the rate of learning, identify issues and be available to respond. But more than anything else, it will allow students to actively put into practice concepts they are being introduced to. It’s a really effective way of learning.”

The Ontario government is contributing $30 million of the total cost of the project and Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Reza Moridi attended the ceremony along with local MPPs Madeleine Meilleur and Yasir Naqvi.

With its study spaces and food court, the centre is bound to become “a magnet on campus,” said Gary Slater, associate vice-president of student affairs.

Work has already begun to demolish a two storey structure on the east side of Lamoureux Hall where the new Learning Centre is to be built. Construction is expected to be complete by January 2018.

[email protected]
Twitter.com/getBAC

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/university-of-ottawa-unveils-83m-learning-centre

[Admiral Nelson]

The title should be updated to U/C.

Progress from mid-August.



And then last week:

[pico]

Update on construction.

SE corner:


NE corner:


SW corner:

[Uhuniau]

Why do so many new institutional buildings in Ottawa have those stupid "barcode" windows going on?

[Admiral Nelson]

Progress:





Three projects underway: Learning Centre on left, new STEM on right and Campus Station in foreground.

[Admiral Nelson]

This weekend:

[Admiral Nelson]

2017/12/03

Peeking out above Lamoureux. Some final cladding up.

[Uhuniau]

Why are all new buildings on educational campuses now using the UPC Barcode window pattern?

[AndyMEng]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Why are all new buildings on educational campuses now using the UPC Barcode window pattern?

Its the blueskin/sheet metal through-wall flashing industry lobbyists.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

The university web sites are now referring to this building as The Learning Crossroads rather than the Learning Centre.

Here is an update on what the building contains --starting with 800 study spaces. A shortage of on campus study space has been a prominent complaint from students in recent times.

Interesting that Paramount Fine Foods is opening a site in this building.



[QUOTE]

800 NEW STUDY SPACES AND MORE!

REGISTRAR SPACES
20 case-based learning rooms (x16 seats)
2 amphitheatres (x350 seats)
4 Active Learning Classrooms (x56-117 seats)
6 classrooms (x52-66 seats)

LIBRARY SPACES
15 collaborative study rooms (x10-14 seats)
5 multimedia studios and 25 multimedia PCs
3 study suites (x150 seats)
1 data visualization room (x50 seats)
1 gaming room (x50 seats)

NEW FOOD SERVICES (400 seats)
Paramount Fine Foods
Thai Express
Tim Hortons[/QUOTE

[Admiral Nelson]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

1 gaming room (x50 seats)

What does this mean? I understand gaming as gambling or playing video games. Not sure which one uOttawa is more interested in accommodating its students for

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Originally Posted by Admiral Nelson

What does this mean? I understand gaming as gambling or playing video games. Not sure which one uOttawa is more interested in accommodating its students for

A mystery to we technically challenged oldsters. Apparently, it means gaming as an academic exercise. McMaster has had the Lyons New Media Centre for some time. It is referred to as The Gaming Room. I assume uOttawa's Gaming Room will be for a similar purpose.

Here are the rules for Mac's Gaming Room.

Purpose & Priority
As strange as it may sound, the Gaming Room is not a group study nor hang-out space. It is an academic space supporting courses and research about gaming and virtual environments/reality.
ONLY Lyons-owned equipment (including controllers) and games are to be used in this room because of its academic purpose. (Professors may speak with the manager about purchasing games specific for their courses.)
The only exception: headphones / earbuds.
This academic room's priority is research in gaming & virtual environments. Gamers are limited to the collection and equipment Lyons owns as a result.
Priority usage is given to students needing the resources for gaming-related course work.
These spaces must be booked prior to the gaming session via the booking system.

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

A mystery to we technically challenged oldsters. Apparently, it means gaming as an academic exercise. McMaster has had the Lyons New Media Centre for some time. It is referred to as The Gaming Room. I assume uOttawa's Gaming Room will be for a similar purpose.

Here are the rules for Mac's Gaming Room.

Carleton has a game room in the refurbished library as well.

[TheBrain]

The new Learning Crossroads, formally Learning Centre, while not finished is open for the most part.

A few inside pics.
















Lots of study areas.






Even in the basement!



I like it. Very open, lots of colours, nice views outside. Lots of informal areas.

Looks like there's a bit of finishing work left all over to do. Floors #3 and #6 were off-limits so I'm guessing work there to be done.

Also to come are the Tim Horton's, Thai Express and Paramount Fine Foods.

[Vanier]

The sixth floor is bare other than the HVAC ductwork. All floors were accessible to me today when I toured about the building (other than the sixth floor). The electrical/networking needs more time and the painting is anything but completed. The wireless internet is available throughout the building. The interior space is well lit and there are plenty of windows to allow for natural light.

The building's furnishings certainly have a mid century modern vibe to them. Like most new buildings and recent renos (e.g. Vanier), playful colours are used. At the Learning Crossroads, the colours are a red, orange, apple green and robin's egg blue.

The food court will not be open until September.

[mykl]

Honestly that building looks pretty lifeless and bland inside