FIRST SPACE
UNWRAPPED

Inaugural Take Your Place renovation a model for more student spaces

By Erin Carpenter

Phil Vandermey and Lukas Armstrong are putting their stamp on the University of Calgary.
The two Faculty of Environmental Design graduate students are among a group of more than 20 students putting their learning into practice by leading the design of the Take Your Place renovations. Take Your Place is the university’s 40th anniversary project to provide more—and better—student spaces across campus.

Vandermey and Armstrong worked with Stantec Architecture to design the Take Your Place showcase space in the corridor linking Social Sciences and Administration, unveiled last week.
The inaugural renovation has a distinctly modern feel, one that will be incorporated in many of the Take Your Place locations. “It has contemporary lounge furniture and contemporary study seating,” says Armstrong. A key architectural element is a series of “ribbons” that run along the ceiling and down the walls, and project into the space to become tables, benches and countertops.

“These ribbons are complemented with re-arrangeable benches, chairs, tables and lounge furniture, in order to provide comfort and flexibility for students,” adds Vandermey. “They can study, lounge, meet, present, rest, nap, access the Internet and more.”

The new design addresses other fundamental concerns, too, such as the need for more electrical outlets to charge laptop computers. Stantec was so impressed with the designs that a number of other architecture students have been invited to re-design the rest of the 40 spaces.

“It makes great sense for us to tap into the tremendous design talent and rich creativity we have on campus,” says Brian Sinclair, dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design and advisor to the president on design.

Kathryn Tonelli, a master’s candidate in EVDS who is helping overhaul 16 residence spaces in Kananaskis and Rundle Halls, says the experience is invaluable.

“This is giving me exposure to an actual design project that’s going to get built. We are designing and also going through the financing and working with the stakeholder groups. It’s a real-life hands-on project.”

The U of C is partnering with the community to raise the funds that will give life to the student designs. The university will pay for infrastructure costs such as wiring and lighting, and the community will be invited to sponsor the more visible items such as furniture and paint.
Stephanie Felesky, chair of the investment committee of the U of C’s Board of Governors, and a member of the Faculty of Education’s development advisory committee, is helping in the fundraising effort.

“Take Your Place is about helping students create a sense of community,” says Felesky. “That community is integral to their success at university and their success after they leave the U of C.”
Sheila O’Brien, special advisor to the president on student life, is spearheading Take Your Place, and will work with Felesky to fundraise.

We need to make sure that students’ financial needs are addressed and also ensure that they are offered a range of educational opportunities. But we also need to make sure their needs for comfort and community are addressed. I think these things have equal worth in a university.”