Construction has begun on the new four-storey 10,000-square-metre Mathison Hall building for the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. The project includes renovations to Scurfield Hall.
Diamond Schmitt Architects In association with Gibbs Gage Architects designed the innovative learning environment. Targeting LEED Platinum, the project is set to be completed for September 2022.
“The technologically enhanced state-of-the-art spaces will add a dozen new classrooms ranging in size from 40 to 100 seats as well as new spaces for study, group work, student advising, food services and events,” said David Dow, principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects.
The project has been a university priority since 2014 and is proceeding to address a significant space crunch. When Haskayne’s Scurfield Hall opened in 1986, the school had approximately 1,000 students taking courses in traditional lecture halls.
By 2022, the school is projecting to have 4,000 students across Bachelor of Commerce, MBA, Master of Management, PhD and DBA programs who will learn in technologically enhanced state-of-the-art spaces that facilitate learning by lecture, group work and experiential learning.
“This is a critical time for the school to expand in support of our strategic growth and bold vision and will add significant capacity for unparalleled learning, innovative research and meaningful community engagement,” says Haskayne Dean Jim Dewald. “We are creating a home for our students and bringing all business classes back to the business school with new places to collaborate, study and learn.”
Since the University of Calgary announced the project in 2018, generous donors have contributed more than $28 million of its $40 million philanthropic goal. Calgary business leader Ronald P. Mathison donated a gift of $20 million.
“The Haskayne Capital Expansion project is an investment in the future of business education in Calgary and will bring immeasurable benefits to our students, province and economy,” says University of Calgary president Ed McCauley.
