Opportunity

Conestoga College identified a critical need to expand animal care education in response to regional workforce shortages, while working within the constraints of an existing campus building originally designed for electrical and robotics training. The challenge was to transform a highly compartmentalized, technically dated facility into a specialized, accreditation-ready learning environment that could support hands-on veterinary and grooming programs; without disrupting ongoing campus operations or requiring new construction. The project also presented an opportunity to improve building performance and position the facility for future decarbonization within the College’s broader sustainability goals.

Response

A new central atrium brings daylight into the deep floor plate and establishes a shared academic and social heart for the facility. Teaching, diagnostic, and collaboration spaces are arranged around this core to support a “science on display” approach, using transparency and sightlines to reinforce hands-on learning.

Specialized clinical and grooming spaces are integrated to meet regulatory requirements while remaining flexible and durable. Through adaptive reuse and careful spatial planning, the project delivers a cohesive, student-centered environment that supports evolving pedagogy and extends the life of existing campus infrastructure.

Sustainability

Targeted envelope upgrades improve thermal performance and humidity control, reducing operational energy demand and mechanical system sizing. High-efficiency heat pump–based heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilation, and adiabatic humidification improve indoor air quality while lowering energy consumption. Mechanical systems were designed to support future electrification, positioning the building for long-term decarbonization as campus infrastructure evolves.