University of Waterloo

Earth Sciences & Chemistry, Level 3

Opportunity

The Earth Sciences & Chemistry building is described by the University of Waterloo as an old friend. As one of the cultural centers on campus, the building itself represented valuable embodied carbon. And yet, there was an undeniable disconnection between the program and available spaces, challenges with the building flow, and lack of standards for materials, equipment, energy efficiency and safety after years of smaller renovations. Therefore, this project was structured to update the spatial arrangement and organization of the labs, bring the facility up to modern code and sustainability standards, aligning with the cutting edge research and work of its faculty, staff and students.

Response

The redesign focused on creating a cohesive, modern research environment that supports collaboration, clarity of movement, and long-term flexibility. The previous floorplate was a patchwork of older labs, narrow hallways, and mismatched upgrades accumulated over decades. The new design replaces this with a clear, intuitive layout organized around eight research labs, graduate work areas, and faculty offices that now function as a connected community rather than isolated rooms.

A major architectural move was shifting from a dark, double-loaded corridor to a bright, single-loaded one along the west side. This simple change transforms the experience of being on the floor, bringing in natural light, improving sightlines, and giving students and researchers a healthier, more welcoming environment. Collaboration areas and touch-down spaces are placed intentionally along this corridor, making informal interaction part of daily life.

Inside the labs, each space was planned with both consistency and customization in mind. While the labs share a common layout approach to ensure clarity and ease of use, they also respond to the specific research needs of each group. This balance keeps the floor organized and adaptable, while still giving individual teams what they need to succeed.

Because this project is the first phase of a much larger renewal of ESC, it also carries significant responsibility for the future of the building. The design incorporates major building-wide upgrades including fire protection, improved air systems, and new service infrastructure that will support future phases on lower floors.

Sustainability

Because the building holds significant embodied carbon and remains vital to the University’s scientific community, the project focused on renewing and extending its life rather than replacing it. This reduced the impact of new construction while preparing the facility for future research needs.

New fume hoods use far less energy thanks to automatic sensors and variable airflow, significantly lowering one of the building’s largest traditional energy demands. A new hydronic heating and cooling system adds another layer of efficiency by redistributing heat between rooms, improving comfort while reducing reliance on carbon-intensive systems. Heat exchangers also provide flexibility for future integration with low-carbon district energy networks

Envelope improvements, including enhanced insulation, air barriers, and high-performance windows, further strengthen the building’s energy profile, reducing heat loss and improving comfort for researchers and students. The project also reused existing terrazzo flooring wherever possible and selected new materials, such as rubber flooring with recycled content, that support both durability and reduced environmental impact.

A major improvement is the new rooftop Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS), which delivers fresh air more efficiently, improves control in the labs, and recovers heat from exhaust air to reduce energy use. Upgraded high-exhaust systems further support safe, efficient operation and position the building to connect to future low-carbon campus infrastructure.