Fanshawe College Innovation Village
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Fanshawe College Innovation Village Banner Image
Location
London, ON
Project Size
100,000 sq. ft.
Year Completed
2023

A space for experiential learning and community.

A redevelopment project that transforms existing buildings on Fanshawe College’s main London campus, the Innovation Village project balances tradition with technology. 

One of the focal points of the building is the Library Learning Commons, which has an Indigenous spirit assembly at its heart. This unique space features wooden curved panelling in a circular shape that represents the back of a turtle and unique finishes, and caters for workshops, summer camps, exhibitions, and smudging and pipe ceremonies. In contrast, the Innovation Village also contains advanced technology in collaborative work spaces, labs, study areas, and maker spaces with 3D printing and laser cutting equipment.

Smith + Andersen is engaged as the mechanical, electrical, communications, security, and intelligent integration consultant.

 

We don't take the word "innovation" lightly.

Heating and cooling for the new spaces are provided by a new central campus plant via underground piping, with high-efficiency fan coils utilized for temperature control. A HVAC load reduction module (air scrubber) helps improve outside air quality and optimize energy consumption in some spaces, while carbon dioxide feedback is used as an occupancy indicator to modulate the amount of fresh air required in other spaces. In addition, the new L building has building-integrated photovoltaics and photovoltaic roof panels, which supply it with approximately 55 per cent of its electricity needs. Special consideration areas, such as the Indigenous ceremony space, maker spaces and design studios, are controlled by dedicated local exhaust systems. 

A space for experiential learning and community.

A redevelopment project that transforms existing buildings on Fanshawe College’s main London campus, the Innovation Village project balances tradition with technology. 

One of the focal points of the building is the Library Learning Commons, which has an Indigenous spirit assembly at its heart. This unique space features wooden curved panelling in a circular shape that represents the back of a turtle and unique finishes, and caters for workshops, summer camps, exhibitions, and smudging and pipe ceremonies. In contrast, the Innovation Village also contains advanced technology in collaborative work spaces, labs, study areas, and maker spaces with 3D printing and laser cutting equipment.

Smith + Andersen is engaged as the mechanical, electrical, communications, security, and intelligent integration consultant.

 

We don't take the word "innovation" lightly.

Heating and cooling for the new spaces are provided by a new central campus plant via underground piping, with high-efficiency fan coils utilized for temperature control. A HVAC load reduction module (air scrubber) helps improve outside air quality and optimize energy consumption in some spaces, while carbon dioxide feedback is used as an occupancy indicator to modulate the amount of fresh air required in other spaces. In addition, the new L building has building-integrated photovoltaics and photovoltaic roof panels, which supply it with approximately 55 per cent of its electricity needs. Special consideration areas, such as the Indigenous ceremony space, maker spaces and design studios, are controlled by dedicated local exhaust systems. 

Low voltage, highly efficient.

Energy efficiency was an important focus for the client. The new buildings feature high-efficiency LED lighting and fully addressable lighting controls for maximum controllability. Control sequences include occupancy/vacancy sensing, daylight dimming, scene controls, and time scheduling. In addition, the lighting system is integrated with the fire alarm and security systems, so, for occupant safety, all lights will turn on in the event of an emergency. 

Flexibility was also the name of the game for our specialty services – especially the audio-visual team, as different spaces needed to accommodate different AV uses (and users), as well as infrastructure for future technology. 

The upgrade of the main performance space in particular required a high level of coordination with the Student Union to make sure it suited their current and future needs. Our designs include infrastructure for rented or future installed line array loudspeaker system, lighting truss, portable video wall, and stage connection boxes for two stage locations for maximum return on investment.

Other innovative solutions include:

  • High-end AV for a divisible classroom that doubles as a multi-purpose space allows for a multitude of functions, including presentations, lectures, panel talks, and trade shows. 

  • Classroom and breakout room technology is designed primarily for distance learning, and to support high quality devices. 

  • Motorized pipe grids to optimize the possibilities for lighting and motion capture sensor locations in the augmented reality/virtual reality classroom. 

  • A feature video wall system in the facility’s entrance to showcase student art. 

The campus’s telecommunications network was upgraded and the entire fibre backbone distribution was redesigned. During construction, over 15,000 feet of fibre cable was relocated and re-routed to avoid the demolition zone. In the new space, the traditional horizontal telecommunications cabling is heavily focused on utilizing wireless connectivity for students, and multiple new Telecommunications Rooms were designed to accommodate the new footprint.

Finally, to help the College Energy Management team better plan maintenance and energy savings measures throughout the life of the building, the distribution system is monitored and integrated to the building energy management system.