When the University of Waterloo began planning the renewal of its Earth Sciences & Chemistry Building (ESC), the opportunity was to rethink how an existing building could continue serving researchers and students for decades to come.

Originally built in the 1960s, ESC required updates to support modern laboratory needs while improving energy performance and creating greater flexibility for future changes.

Through a collaborative retrofit approach, the project team worked within the existing structure to renew critical systems, improve performance and extend the life of an important campus building.

Renovations and retrofits can be a pathway to award-winning design. By investing in existing buildings, institutions can reduce embodied carbon, preserve valuable resources and create spaces that support the next generation of learning and research.

ESC has been recognized in SABMag’s Annual Awards issue for the Green Building Awards.

Click here to read the full issue, including the jury comment write-up for ESC on page 53.