Take a sneak peek preview into the new Fabrication Centre

Joanne Frisch, video still
Tuesday, December 3, 2019

The next milestone in the Creative City Campus Project is nearly complete: the renovation to the university’s Wood, Metal, Plastics and Rapid Prototyping studios to create a new, modernized Fabrication Centre. 

Eastern Construction is in the final stages of their work, including the coordination of security, hardware, electrical, and other finishing touches. In upcoming weeks, the Campus Planning & Projects Team will work with a huge group of staff from OCAD U’s internal teams to set up the space. This includes IT Services, Safety & Security Services, Facilities, Campus Operations and Distributions, and of course the technicians for the studios and Studio Management. The move-in has already begun over the weekend, as trucks returned with furnishings and machines to move back into the studios.

As a reminder, the project’s objectives are to:

  • ​Improve OCAD U’s studio-based learning environments by expanding some studios and improving infrastructure within existing spaces​
  • Provide new equipment and technology​
  • Improve circulation, storage, work flow and transparency
  • Provide more opportunities for flexible student work space and social gathering​
  • Improve energy efficiency of building systems (heating, air conditioning and ventilation; lighting, controls, network, etc.)

The new studios, which haven’t experienced an update of this magnitude in many decades, now have significantly more natural light and visibility. There is new LED lighting, new heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC), new dust collection units, better controls, and significantly improved layouts. 

One new feature that the university is very excited about is a new CNC Waterjet Cutter for the Rapid Prototyping Centre! This new piece of equipment will cut a wide range of materials, including steel, galvanized metal, stone, glass and plastic. 

The Campus Planning & Projects team sincerely thanks everyone for their patience throughout the many months of the project, and all the staff involved in getting these spaces up and running. The university could not have accomplished the project without our entire community pulling together. The team is very excited for students and faculty to start using the new spaces in the new year — stay tuned for a celebratory event to be announced in the near future.

 

Fabrication Studio Renovation Details (August 2019)

Floor plate diagram of new Fabrication Studio layout
Floor plate diagram of areas of work for Fabrication Studios
Concept sketch: new Fabrication Centre entrance
Concept sketch: new Fabrication Centre corridor
Wednesday, August 14, 2019

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Creative City Campus Renovations: Fabrication Studios

Temporary Closure and Renovations to the Fabrication Studios

  • Over the Summer and Fall of 2019, the Fabrication Studios (Wood, Metal, Plastics, Rapid Prototyping and Tool Loans) on Level 1 of 100 McCaul St. will be closed and renovated (see diagrams). 
  • Renovations will be completed by December 31, 2019. 

Objectives:

  • ​Improve OCAD U’s studio-based learning environments by expanding some studios and improving infrastructure within existing spaces​
  • Provide new equipment and technology​
  • Improve circulation, storage, work flow and transparency
  • Provide more opportunities for flexible student work space and social gathering​
  • Improve energy efficiency of building systems (heating, air conditioning and ventilation; lighting, controls, network, etc.)

 

How will the studios change? 

  • Significantly improved lighting and studio infrastructure
  • Reorganized layout that creates a more direct and connected pathway through the studios and new, flexible student working and gathering spaces
  • Reorganized layout that adds additional spaces for critique and faculty meetings
  • Improved visibility into the studios
  • Consolidated material sales and services space
  • Relocated and updated washroom
  • Improved energy efficiency of building systems (heating, air conditioning and ventilation; lighting, controls, network, etc.)

Impacts of the Fabrication Studio Closure

  • OCAD U recognizes the strong impact this project will have on our students, faculty, course offerings and equipment and process availability. 
  • Careful studies were conducted over many months in consultation with key stakeholders across the university to determine the most cost and time efficient approach to the project. 
  • The project includes adjusting course offerings as much as possible, in collaboration with Faculty offices and the Registrar. 
  • Adjustments were made to provide as much curriculum as possible in alterative spaces on campus, and to set up as much equipment as possible in temporary locations for use.
  • A process is in place to address students' needs for processes normally available at the university. Students can submit an inquiry online. Needs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis in cooperation with Studio Management and relevant technicians.  
  • The scope and value contracts for impacted staff and faculty are maintained (i.e. our technician and faculty compliment is not reduced, but may be redeployed to other studios to support temporary equipment set ups).

TEMPORARY SET-UPS AND STUDIO ELEMENT RELOCATIONS

METAL STUDIO

Metal Temporary Location: Foundry Metals Area (see diagram)

  • MCA 152 will host Metal classes and related activities
  • Additional grinding stations in MCA 152E
  • Larger, less frequently used equipment located in the hallway recess, MCA 151 
  • MCA 154A, the future Digital Centre, will be used for short term tool and hardware storage.

Temporary Metal Equipment Set Up:

  • 4 Portable Oxy/Acetalene Units (6 workstations)
  • Cold cut saw
  • Additional drill press
  • Anvil
  • Lathe
  • Hossefeld bender
  • Mig welder
  • PLUS existing equipment in Foundry

WOOD STUDIO

Wood Temporary Location: ED / ID Shop (see diagram)

  • Additional equipment has been integrated into MCA 517 
  • Four additional larger, heavier work benches relocated to MCA 515 to facilitate larger projects
  • Some storage previously kept in MCA 515 has been relocated to MCA 528, to create space additional work space in the shop. 

Temporary Wood Equipment Set Up:

  • Larger planer
  • Large jointer
  • Additional table saw
  • 4 additional work benches 
  • PLUS existing wood working equipment

PLASTICS STUDIO

Plastics Temporary Location: MCA 316 (see diagram)

  • Table saw
  • Band saw
  • Drill Press
  • Mill
  • Mini lathe
  • Router
  • Mitre Saw
  • Formec
  • Work tables 

RAPID PROTOTYPING CENTRE

Rapid Prototyping Centre Temporary Location: MCA 314 (see diagram)

  • All current services, with the exception of the large CNC milling machine have been relocated. A small CNC milling machine has been added. 
  • Large CNC milling will be available through RP, facilitated by an external provider. Details available via the Rapid Prototyping web page.

Temporary RPC Equipment Set Up:

  • All 3D printers
  • All laser cutters
  • Small CNC milling machine

TOOL LOANS

Tool Loans is temporarily located in MCA 265 (formerly the Anniversary Gallery in 100 McCaul St.); entrance via hallway, across from Distribution Services 

STUDIO MANAGEMENT

Studio Management Offices are temporarily relocated to MCF 220 (51 McCaul St.)

 

Questions? Contact Us!
We’re here to collaborate with you as we work through the challenges and opportunities in this project! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team about any question!​ Reach us at creativecitycampus@ocadu.ca​. 

Andrea Hunniford, Manager, Campus Planning and Projects​
Joanne Frisch, Director, Campus Planning and Projects​
Nick Hooper, Director, Facilities and Studios​
Sarah Mulholland, Manager, Student Communications and Campus Community

Poster: 
Metal Studio accommodations: Level 1, George Reid Wing
Wood Studio accommodations: ED / ID Studio on Level 5
Plastics Studio accommodations: MCA 316
Rapid Prototyping Accommodations: MCA 314
Tool Loans (MCA 265) and Studio Management accommodations (MCF 51 McCaul)
Assembly room in MCA 161 - open for Fall 2019

Creative City Campus Update: December 2017

An update on the status of the Experiential Learning Centre, George Reid House construction, Fabrication Studios, and the CCC Site Strategy for the campus expansion. 

FAB.ulous Studios

FAB.ulous Studios
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 5:00am to Friday, February 29, 2008 - 5:00am

By special invitation, Ceramics will be participating in the show this year. This exhibition will be presented at the Ontario College of Art and Design in the Great Hall. An eclectic mix of Art and Design projects will be featured.

The Exhibition runs from Tuesday Feb. 26th thru to Friday Feb. 29th.

Location: The Ontario College of Art and Design, 100 McCaul Street in the Great Hall.

This Exhibition has been generously supported by the Faculty of Art

Venue & Address: 
Great Hall 100 McCaul St., Toronto, Ontario
Cost: 
Free

viva voce - voices from the Craft Studio

Saturday, January 19, 2008 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm

This series of lectures and presentations by the Craft Studios artists-in-residence is an important part of the professional development programme. A selection of artists (often in their final year of residency) present, as part of the Craft Department's artists-in-residence biennial exhibition an illustrated lecture to their peers and greater craft community talking about their work and career and the impact the artist-inresidency has had on their development.
As part of ongoing Craft Studio programming we present an afternoon session of talks by the artists-in-residence and others. They will lecture about the development of their work and ideas.

Venue & Address: 
Harbourfront Centre, Studio Theatre 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario
Email: 
rmegan@harbourfrontcentre.com
Cost: 
Free