|
|
|
Designed for maximum flexibility, the adaptive reuse of the Steacie Building accommodates more students and courses in the SuperLab than ever before. The efficient use of space has alleviated the need for expansion and has yielded the safest possible equipment layout.
The new design also engages the ring corridor as a part of the teaching environment to encourage collaboration. By activating these adjacent areas and consolidating the learning spaces, Steacie SuperLab is transformed into a high-capacity, equipment-driven, teaching machine.
RESULTS
To promote its new SuperLab, Carleton University's Chemistry Department invites local high school students to visit. The result was an increase in tours from 36 groups to 50 per school year, or nearly a 40% increase. Enrolment for the coming school year is currently up 10% from this time last year.
"The old labs were rather dreary looking, and it was difficult to convince a prospective student that their experience here would be as good as that at a university that had new labs. Labs are so important to science students that they often decide on which university to attend based on the facilities. The SuperLab is simply beautiful to look at, so potential students are immediately impressed."
- Robert Burk, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Chemistry
The new lab holds 120 students at a time, including 24 new positions, reducing crowding significantly. Effectively utilizing the space has allowed the designers to increase the quantity of fumehoods - now only two students share, rather than five. New state-of-the-art VAV fumehoods with automated sensors were chosen, resulting in less energy usage and optimum air quality and safety.
|
