OLD MAIN ACADEMIC ADDITION Thompson Rivers University
the undulating double curves of the roof blend into the rolling range of mountains beyond
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Campus Green
Old Main Addition
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Future Residences
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site plan of TRU Campus
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Old Main Extg Block B Clocktower Library Culinary Arts Sciences & Health Sciences Gym Student Residences Fieldhouse & Aquatic Centre Hillside Stadium Trades & Technology House of Learning Campus Activity Centre Arts & Education International Building
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TRU CAMPUS PLAN
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The Old Main Addition adds 45,000 ft2 of academic teaching and office space atop an existing 1970s-era building at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, British Columbia. It houses the newly-founded Faculty of Law and the MBA program of the School of Business and Economics. The campus overlooks the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers and a range of softly rolling mountains beyond, in particular Mount Peter and Mount Paul, prominent peaks sacred to the indigenous Secwepemc people of the area.
Mount Paul, by A.Y. Jackson
rail bridge over the North Thompson River, looking to Mt Peter and Mt Paul
The curves of the main roof are complemented by projecting canopies below, softening the hard lines of the existing building into the surrounding landscape.
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south elevation
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1. new south entrance and canopy 2. clerestory windows 3. cement-board siding over existing faรงade 4. existing mechanical penthouse behind spandrels and louvres
The natural surroundings and First Nations heritage that inform TRU’s identity inspired the Addition’s design. Its undulating, 400 foot-long roof echoes the landscape while integrating two new floors with the mechanical penthouse of the original Old Main, making a virtue out of necessity. The projecting roof soffit is clad in cedar, appearing from ground level as a flowing ribbon against the curtainwall façade. The two lower, existing floors have been re-clad in cement-board siding, normally a linear material fitted to curving bands that suggest First Nations basket-weaving traditions. The bands bow outwards to form two cedar-clad canopies covering previously non-descript entrances and creating a dialogue between the plans and elevations.
south elevation before addition
the roofline wave form with a cedar soffit is echoed by the curving bands on the facade that create a canopy over the south entrance
the new north entrance incorporates a wood canopy and a glass elevator
north elevation 1. new north entrance and canopy 2. glass elevator tower 3. cement-board siding over existing faรงade 4. new mechanical room behind spandrel and louvres
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the existing mechanical penthouse is integrated with the addition
roof assembly 1. 80-mil fully adhered, felt-backed PVC membrane • 1/4” roof board (not shown) 2. 16” polyisocyanurate insulation board (R-60) • Air and vapor barrier (not shown) 3. 5/8” fire-retardant treated plywood roof deck 4. 4x6 heavy-timber pulrins, with fire-retardant 2x4 wood blocking 5. 20” deep glulam beams
Because Old Main had to remain in use during construction, the only way to complete the shell of the Addition over the summer was to prefabricate roof panels that could be craned into place. A system of glulam beams and timber joists covered with plywood deck was used for modules that could smoothly follow the complex double curvature of the roof. Installing the entire 42,000 ft2 of roof panels took just two months.
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From the new north entrance, a glass elevator leads to a central, double-height atrium on the third floor with unhindered views to the mountains. The woodpaneled atrium is a gathering place connecting two wings lined with teaching spaces on the south and the law library and offices on the north. Full height glazing between the atrium and the adjacent reading room to the west affords a dramatic view of the sweeping ceiling, complemented by a sculptural spiral stair that leads to a bridge spanning the room on the fourth floor. This ceiling of acoustic planks unifies these two main spaces and three interconnected multi-purpose rooms in the east wing, its pattern bringing the basket-weaving motif of the exterior inside. The lecture rooms meanwhile are also filled with natural light, providing warm and attractive spaces conducive to learning.
a glazed wall between the double-height atrium and reading room provides a continuous view of a hundred-foot section of the curving ceiling clad in acoustic wood planks
fourth floor atrium bridge and seating
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fourth floor plan 1. atrium bridge 2. glass elevator tower 3. dean’s suite 4. boardroom
5. office suite 6. large meeting room 7. seminar room 8. mechanical room 9. open to below
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third floor plan 1. atrium 2. glass elevator tower 3. law library 4. reading room 5. 60-seat classroom 6. 30-seat classroom
7. multi-purpose room 8. seminar room 9. office suite 10. student law society 11. new mechanical room
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ground floor plan 1. new north entrance and canopy 2. glass elevator tower
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exposed glulam beams and wood acoustic ceiling create a dramatic space for the reading room
As the design of the building was grounded in its context, wood as a local material was featured in its structure and finishes. The sustainable nature of wood was also important, for while the project was not pursuing LEED certification, it still followed the same principles of green design. Other features include a highly insulated, reflective roof; solar shading on the south faรงade; abundant access to daylight, views and ventilation; and highefficiency mechanical systems with underfloor air delivery. The decision to use wood in the roof structure also required innovative thinking to comply with the building code. At four storeys, the Addition was too tall to permit flammable materials in its structure. Hence an alternative solution based on heavy timber and fire-retardant-treated dimensional lumber had to be developed, involving computer simulation of fire conditions to demonstrate the building would safely meet the intent of the code. The success of this approach opens up new opportunities for wood structure in building types where it cannot be conventionally used.
A: East-West Section 1. operable windows 2. operable clerestory window 3. raised access floor 4. service bulkhead 5. main gutter with snow guard 6. secondary gutter
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lecture room
fourth floor atrium seating
As a relatively young institution, TRU is seeking to expand its profile across Canada and internationally, competing globally for students and faculty. The Old Main Addition enhances the university’s brand with an iconic image that is in harmony with its natural and cultural context.