Diamond Schmitt Architects wins a SCUP Excellence in Architecture Award for Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont.

Lazaridis Hall is home to the School of Business and Economics and the Department of Mathematics and associated programs in entrepreneurship. According to the press release, it includes a 1000-seat auditorium, 300-seat lecture hall, and large skylit atrium. The building contains state-of-the-art incubator space to support entrepreneurship and new business startups while fostering student interaction and collaborative research. It is LEED Gold and 2030 Challenge certified, making this an exemplar of sustainable design on a large scale. The building has previously been acknowledged with a Civic Trust Award (UK), two wood design awards and design excellence for use of glass.

This recognition is one of 23 awards for campus architecture across North America in 2018 presented by the Society for College and University Planning / American Institute of Architects – Committee on Architecture for Education (SCUP/AIA-CAE).

It is the sixth SCUP Award of Excellence for Diamond Schmitt. SCUP offers an awards program that recognizes excellence in planning, design and implementation efforts of firms and institutions, as well as the achievements of individuals whose lives and passions involve higher education.

“It is an honour to be recognized by SCUP for a design that is an aspirational landmark for academic collaboration and community connection,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects in the release.