Architecture school to break ground Nov. 23

Work on Laurentian University’s new school of architecture will begin with a groundbreaking on Nov. 23.

The title for the land in downtown Sudbury was transferred from the City of Greater Sudbury to Laurentian on Nov. 6. Bids have been received for phase one of the construction project from a list of Ontario contractors who were successful in the pre-qualifying process.

“We were pleased to see several Northern Ontario companies qualified to bid, as well as some firms from other parts of the province,” said Brad Parkes, director of capital projects at Laurentian University, in a news release. “The successful bid for the phase one contract is expected to be announced in mid-December.”

The renovations to the freight shed in phase one will include upgraded insulation and new finishes to the interior, new siding and roofing, as well as updated electrical, mechanical and ventilation systems. The brick and mortar of the telegraph building will be freshened, and many of the interior surfaces refinished, while the original wooden staircase will be refurbished.

Laurentian Architecture and its design team have worked with Sudbury’s local heritage committee in planning the renovations of the CP telegraph building, and all changes will respect the integrity of this historic downtown landmark.

“This is an exciting juncture for the architecture project, and we are anxious to begin the work of preparing the buildings for occupancy next fall,” said Terrance Galvin, the school’s founding director. “Phase one of the renovation work will give us our studio and seminar space for the first two years of the school’s operation.”

The first cohort of students will be studying in renovated space in the CPR freight shed, while faculty offices will be located in the CP telegraph building. Both structures were erected on the site in the early 20th century and will be incorporated into the design of the new school, which is scheduled to be completed in 2015.