Community previews L.R. Wilson Hall plans
Community members at the open house gather around a design rendering of L.R. Wilson Hall.
The future of the liberal arts at McMaster was front and centre during two community open houses held this week.
Nearly 200 faculty, students, staff and community members participated in the events to view renderings of L.R. Wilson Hall, learn more about the sustainable design of the building, and receive updates from the deans of social sciences and humanities about the teaching, learning, research and community activities planned for the building.
During the open houses, participants viewed detailed building renderings, learned about the student community and faculty spaces and were able to ask questions of the deans, the project architects and McMaster’s facility services team.
“L.R. Wilson Hall will change the way learning and teaching happens in the liberal arts,” says Ken Cruikshank, acting dean of humanities. “This is a transformative moment.”
The project is made possible by a $45.5-million investment from the province of Ontario, and a $10-million gift from McMaster’s Chancellor and liberal arts alumnus L.R. (Red) Wilson.
As the design vision of the building was taking shape, groups of students, faculty, staff and neighbours who live in the community adjacent to the building location have been involved in sharing ideas and providing feedback.
“It is extremely gratifying to see such a strong interest from the community,” says Charlotte Yates, dean of social sciences. “There has been and will continue to be extensive consultation with students, faculty and our neighbours as the project continues.”
The building, to be LEED certified, will house McMaster’s Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Social Sciences. It will include:
- classrooms
- research spaces and labs
- performing arts facilities, including a 350-seat concert hall
- public gathering and community spaces
- gardens
Located on the site of the current Wentworth House, construction is expected to begin in June, 2013 with the building opening in September 2015.
You can view the presentation materials and renderings from the meeting below.
