Lakehead design lauded

Campus architecture wins provincial award

By MIRANDA MINASSIAN Special to the Packet & Times

Updated 10 months ago

The new Lakehead University building on University Avenue is the recipient of a 2011 Design Excellence Award, presented by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). Designed by Moriyama and Teshima Architects, the 80,000-square-foot building was recognized for the innovative skills used to create a building and space that respects the environment and enriches human activity.

"The interior and the exterior work together. There's an esthetic to it. There's a

flow inside the building that I thought was really elegant," Sara Diamond, a juror responsible for selecting the winners, said in an email.

This continuity, which includes an eramosa limestone wall that is carried from the exterior to the interior of the building, is also a favorite feature of Brian Jeffs, a co-ordinator of the project for Lakehead.

"Everyone has their favorite part of the building. The limestone is mine," he said. Jeffs' office overlooks one of the building's moss-covered green roofs, another architectural design point that bring the outdoors in.

"I've had several community organizations in the building for functions and the comments are incredibly positive," he said. "People are impressed by the facility."

Daniel Teramura, one of the architects responsible for the project, credits teamwork for the success of the building.

"This is an example of a very successful project because Lakehead was a good client, EllisDon were great contractors. I am thrilled the hard work paid off," Teramura said. "Completing a building like this is hard. You need a good team."

The building, which took nine months to design and 16 months to build, was also recognized by jurors for its role as Canada's first Leadership in Energy and Environment Design.

"It is quite an honour," Teramura said. "The OAA doesn't give out too many awards."

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