Description du projet

The first and second floors of the McLennan Physical Laboratories were alienating, institutional spaces, harshly lit with overhead fluorescents. In the classrooms, students sat crowded along long tables; the setup discouraged circulation and interaction, and was so inefficient that the department was turning away 100 students from a popular course each term due to lack of space. Open to non-science students, the course is aimed at giving future non-scientist members of the public a deeper insight and appreciation of what scientists do, through hands-on experiments and demonstrations. To support its teaching, the University of Toronto determined it was necessary to renovate the two floors, with the new space to include a drop-in work/study area; three practical teaching labs; and an enhanced support and storage space for lab technicians – all within a strict budget. The design team responded with a complete reimagining of the space that incorporates the latest in collaborative and sustainable technologies, and is styled in a sleek new visual identity that draws on ideas in quantum physics. At the heart of the space is the Physics Café – a vibrant work/study area for informal study and collaboration. The Physics Café includes a multi-use video wall, full-height writable wall surfaces, and a felt-wrapped column for posting notices. Materials and systems were selected based on low impact and sustainable strategies. In crafting the café’s visual identity, we were inspired by the Davisson-Germer's experiment, which confirmed that particles of matter can have wave-like properties – a major advancement in the development of quantum mechanics. Vertical bands of transparent coloured film accentuate the curved glazing, and serve the practical function of providing privacy for students using the workspaces. A feature ceiling below the existing exposed concrete coffered ceiling gives the space a more intimate and sociable atmosphere. Oversized ottomans may be moved into clusters, or rolled away from each other for breakout discussions. Acoustic drywall, rubber flooring, and plaster acoustic ceiling tiles all dampen sound for a quieter study environment. Shaw Modular Mixed Materials Converge carpet tile in the rich purple shade Grape was selected for the meeting rooms across the Physics Café to demarcate concentration spaces and enhance the acoustics within. The pinstripe pattern of the carpet tile contrasts the thick, red vertical bands of the surrounding coloured privacy film. The carpet tiles are Green Label Certified, ensuring that the product is low VOC and supports the sustainability goals of the client, the University of Toronto. New teaching labs surround the café and meeting rooms, and facilitate collaborative hands-on learning with informal breakout teaching spaces, smart boards, interactive projectors, and writable wall surfaces – all encouraging interaction. They allow instructors to easily navigate the space between student groups, and encourage interactive hands-on learning. Corridors outside the labs are strategically lined with multiple separate waiting and study spaces, including seating alcoves for individual students or small groups. Plug-in points for charging devices help make this an ideal location to stay and work, while pin boards and well-lit chalkboards further encourage the sharing of ideas and information. The McLennan Physical Laboratories project turns this once-outdated learning environment into a hive of activity, enhancing student engagement. Visually, by bringing vivid colour into a previously monochromatic environment, we created an instantly recognizable brand identity for the Physics department. The space invites the wider university inside to meet the physics community, and showcases science education in the best possible light.