Royal Roads University recently held an open house for its new Centre for Environmental Science and International Partnership (CESIP), which is being built on the west end of campus. Royal Roads invited community members to look behind the scenes at the project’s vision and design inspiration.

At the open house, HCMA Architecture + Design’s Stuart Rothnie described how the new Centre would be transformed from a 100-year-old horse stable. The CESIP was designed to be a living laboratory that will foster innovation in research, sustainability and intercultural understanding at Royal Roads. Rothnie says the new space will encourage a sense of belonging among students and create ways for people to learn and explore together through shared interactions and learning experiences.

“When students come to Royal Roads and if they are worlds apart when they arrive here…, it’s our hope that they begin to connect and share experiences,” said Rothnie, in a press release. “When they leave, when they graduate, there’s a moment when they become global citizens and sensitive to the needs of others. If we create a facility that meets that objective of international partnership, then we have succeeded.”

Rothnie, the architect on the project, says the renovated Mews building and newly construction additions will serve as classrooms, laboratories and interaction spaces for meetings, break-out sessions and socialization.

“We know that learning is everywhere in our lives and the opportunities for students to engage, connect and socialize in and around this facility is vital to its success,” said Rothnie. “As architects, we think very carefully about the connective spaces between the program needs and we make sure they are as successful as the teaching environment.”

CESIP’s construction is expected to be complete by April 2018.