Construction is now underway on an experiential learning facility at Carleton University in Ottawa.

The university announced the start of construction on November 9, with an estimated opening date of next fall.

The Engineering Design Centre is a long-planned project within the university’s Faculty of Engineering and Design (FED) The $16-million, 25,000-square-foot facility will connect to Carleton’s Mackenzie Building on Library Road and will provide dedicated space for undergraduate students as they collaborate on fourth-year Capstone design projects.

Designed in a joint venture by Diamond Schmitt Architects and KWC Architects, the three-storey structure will feature a maker space, design studios, workshop bays, central atrium and meeting and lounge spaces.

The building’s interior has been designed to be open and inviting, with easily reconfigurable furniture and both formal and informal meeting space that encourages students to connect with one another, discuss projects and exchange ideas. Design rooms, which will serve classroom-like functions, will be outfitted with presentation technology, allowing for everything from small group discussions to formal meetings and presentations.

While the Engineering Design Centre will establish a new core for interaction within FED, the building’s maker space will serve as the heart of the facility—supporting students, technicians and faculty with access to vital equipment. Located on the ground floor, the maker space will feature laser and waterjet cutters, 3D printers, injection molders and vacuum, as well as standard drill presses, saws and routers upon opening.

“The best learning environments inherently combine both theory and practice,” said FED Dean Larry Kostiuk. “By investing in this newly-established space for hands-on education, we look to expand Carleton’s longstanding commitment to experiential learning.”

While engineering and design students at Carleton engage in hands-on projects throughout their programs, fourth-year students are required to work in teams to produce a design innovation that incorporates everything they have learned.

Often considered the hallmark of an undergraduate engineering degree—fourth-year Capstone design projects provide a platform to integrate their knowledge with practical skills to develop a professional-level project. They also help foster an entrepreneurial spirit and passion for real-world problem solving.

“For students, fourth-year projects are much like working on a startup—serving as an opportunity to explore new ideas that require sustained commitment, critical thinking and improvisational skill,” says Kostiuk. “Having a dedicated physical space where students can work together towards a shared goal helps them gain valuable transferable skills for the future.”

The Engineering Design Centre will also serve as an example of Carleton’s commitment to accessibility and sustainability. The entire building has been designed to be inclusive and accessible throughout, including barrier-free clearances for all workshop bays that meet or exceed the Ontario Building Code.

The facility will also incorporate energy-efficient building systems and strategies for electricity conservation and sustainability. The building itself will be instrumented and have the controls needed for graduate-level research to explore and test conservation and sustainability ideas.