Sherman Health Science Research Centre

The Challenge:

We took a decommissioned hockey arena on York University’s Keele Campus and repurposed it into a world-class research facility to accommodate the relocation and expansion of their Vision and Kinesiology Research programs.

The facility includes areas for brain imaging, a virtual reality environment with rotating sphere and tumbling rooms, a visuo-motor assessment, infant visual development, as well as research programs in health promotion and neuroscience. This will also become the first fMRI on the campus.

Our full mandate included programming, design, and contract administration services.

Achieving a Successful Outcome:

• Preservation of the existing structure included integrating the old wooden roof deck into stair treads and re using the arena’s slab, cut-up to create an artificial alvar landscape.
• Additional sustainable strategies include bringing light into the dynamic interior street, incorporating a high albedo roof, landscaping with drought-resistant native plants and innovative storm water runoff management.
• By inserting a new second floor structure, we doubled the previous footprint while preserving the entire exterior roof, steel truss structure and envelope, diverting tons of waste from landfill site.
• By adapting the former arena into a vibrant interior street connected to the campus, and the future link to the new subway arrival, we have delivered incredible value to York and created a significant new space on the campus.