CCC Update: Summer/Fall 2019 renovations in Fabrication and Drawing & Painting Studios

Three students working at a lathe
Friday, February 1, 2019

The next phase of the Creative City Campus (CCC) project construction will soon begin: the renovations of more than 30,000 square feet of Fabrication and Drawing & Painting studios at 100 McCaul St. This is a significant step in the project to transform OCAD U’s studio-based learning environment.

The CCC consulting team, led by Teeple and Morphosis Architects in collaboration with Two Row Architects, has worked over the last year in tandem with OCAD U’s Campus Planning and Projects team, our technicians, faculty, staff and students to plan for this project.

To enable efficient, cost- and time-effective work, some parts of the studios will be temporarily closed during the renovations.

Required, core course offerings that are dependent on these studios will be prioritized for relocation elsewhere on campus during the summer and fall academic terms. The Campus Planning & Projects team, with the help of our technicians and staff, have also organized external partnerships and alternative arrangements to accommodate our community’s needs. More information on these alternatives will be available by spring.  

All members of the team are aware of the impact that these closures and renovations will inevitably have on the community over their duration en route to creating a better learning experience. The team’s objectives are both to minimize disruption and to complete the renovations as quickly as possible.

Here’s what you need to know about the renovations:

What?

Fabrication Studios
100 McCaul St., Level 1 (approx. 20,000 square feet)

  • Expanded Wood, Metal, Plastics and Rapid Prototyping fabrication shops
  • A new, centralized sales and services depot for materials and tool loans
  • Upgraded equipment, lighting, controls and heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC)
  • Enhanced space navigation, accessibility, transparency, flexibility and sustainability

Select Drawing & Painting Studios
100 McCaul St., Level 4 south (approx. 8,000 square feet)

  • Improved student and faculty experience of the drawing and painting studios with new lighting, controls, finishes, furniture, storage and AV
  • A new student hub that enables gathering, display, critique and day-to-day work
  • Upgraded build shop with new lighting, controls, storage and equipment

In addition, the roof of the original building at 100 McCaul St. will have end-of-life mechanical units replaced with new energy-efficient units integrated with the Building Automation System.

 When?

  • April 23: Formal assessment period ends (last day for access to Fabrication Studios and Drawing & Painting studios)
  • April 24 to May 12: Final cleaning/moving of Drawing & Painting and Fabrication Studio equipment
  • May 13: Construction begins
  • August 15: Level 4 Drawing & Painting studio renovation complete; studios re-open
  • December 31: Level 1 Fabrication Studio renovation complete; studios re-open

Temporary Core Function Relocations
Core functions of the Fabrications studios and related activities will be re-located throughout the construction period beginning early summer.

  • Wood studio: MCA 515 and 517
  • Metal studio: MCA 152
  • Plastics studio: MCA 316
  • Rapid Prototyping: MCA 314
  • Assembly space: Remaining MCA 161
  • Functions from MCA 166 will be distributed to other classrooms, including MCG 104 (49 McCaul St.)
  • Functions from MCA 140 and 141 will be distributed elsewhere (exact locations will be posted soon)
  • Tool Loans is being located within 100 McCaul St. The proposed location is the Anniversary Gallery space in MCA 265 (to be confirmed soon)
  • Studio Management offices will be relocated to MCF, 51 McCaul Street, Level 2

Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation Impacts
Certain areas of the main building at 100 McCaul St. will be affected while the heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) units are upgraded. Temporary measures will be in place for affected stakeholders. Complete details will be provided in the near future.

Faculty and Staff Offices
A number of options are being considered; the team will consult with those impacted to finalize these plans.

Technician Contracts
Our technicians are key community members with important roles supporting students’ use of equipment, procurement and distribution of materials and training in processes in OCAD U’s studios. They will continue to work as normal throughout the temporary closures of the Fabrication studios and will be deployed to the alternative studio areas where they will continue to provide their support (e.g. the studios with wood and plastics on Level 5, and in the Foundry for metal processes, etc.).

GradEx 104
Rooms MCA 161, 166, 140 and 141 will continue to be available as exhibition space for GradEx; they will be closed and their functions relocated following the show on May 11. As per the dates listed above, the core Fabrication studios will be closed as of April 23 to enable faculty and staff to pack and prepare equipment for moving, and clean out the studios to start construction. Tool Loans will be moved to a temporary location in time to support GradEx setup.

Learn More
Students, faculty and staff are invited to join the Campus Planning & Projects and Studios Team for information sessions and/or pop-ups:

  • Information Sessions (MCA 258, George Reid House)
    • Wednesday, February 20, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Tuesday, February 26, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
       
  • Pop-up discussion opportunities:
    • Wednesday, February 27, 2:30 to 4 p.m. -- Learning Zone, 122 St. Patrick
    • Tuesday, March 5, 12 to 2 p.m. -- Lobby, 100 McCaul St.
    • Wednesday, March 6, 12 to 2 p.m. -- Lobby, 100 McCaul St.

Questions and comments can be directed to creativecitycampus@ocadu.ca. See you at one of our info sessions or pop-ups!   

Temporary Entrance Closures, Experiential Learning Centre: February 2, 3

Temporary closures during the lift of sections of the scrim onto the Experiential Learning Centre on February 2 and/or 3. 

Creative City Campus Update: George Reid House Renovations Begin

The George Reid House renovation is part of Creative City Campus project, a major expansion and renovation that will revitalize the main campus along McCaul Street.

Creative City Campus Update

Read about faculty offices and Design Photo Studio moves, thesis spaces changes and upcoming renovations in the George Reid Wing and Rosalie Sharp Pavilion.