Photos courtesy Michael Lalich

McMaster University has opened its new Engineering Technology Building in Hamilton.

Hamilton's McMaster University has opened the new Engineering Technology Building, a facility the school describes as representative of its "sustainable, high-tech future."

Now home to more than 2000 students, professors, and staff, the $48-million, glass-covered building is five storeys and more than 11,600 m² (125,000 sf).

The facility was designed to have structural and mechanical elements exposed throughout for students to view the construction and operation—essentially, the building itself is a learning tool. There are also two elliptical classrooms (facilitating better interaction between teacher and students) within the three-storey, funnel-shaped towers.

The VermeulenHind Architects (Dundas, Ont.) design of the new building intends to achieve Gold certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program.

Its features include:
• rainwater-harvesting for wastewater flushing and landscape irrigation;
• occupancy and automated photosensor-controlled lighting;
• high recycled content in primary materials;
• inclusion of local slag to reduce cement content in structural and landscaping concrete;
• dual-duct HVAC system that separates ventilation from space heating and cooling functions (with heat recovery for exhaust air); and
• integration of mechanical systems with the building envelope and structure, incorporating the mass of the structure as a heat sink.

The elliptical computer lab promotes better interaction between students and teachers.