An activated environment for social interaction

The life of a university student is a time of growth, exploration, and challenge. A student’s higher-education experience will be a memorable one. There is a sense of pride associated with the institution, the instructors and even campus life. The day-to-day life of a university student, however, may seem hectic; filled with commutes, classes, extra-curricular activities, meetings, and study. The campus environment must support these movements, study, work, play, and should provide moments of respite, even delight, for students.

Dalhousie University, founded in 1818, is one of Canada’s oldest universities and the largest research university in Atlantic Canada. In fall of 2018 Fathom Studio was retained by Dalhousie University to develop a schematic design for the Bicentennial Common and Formal Quad, a legacy project for the University's 200th year. Situated at the heart of Dalhousie’s main Studley Campus, the goal was to transform the space to inspire people to stay and engage with the environment and with each other. The vision of Bicentennial Common and Formal Quad is to provide an activated outdoor environment for academic, recreation, and social interactions that enrich student life on a day-to-day basis. 

This project involved significant consultation with stakeholders from Dalhousie University including students, faculty, and administration; as well as an ongoing tactical "Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper" phase in order to test the ideas put forward in the design before permanent implementation. With careful consideration of the dynamic of pedestrian flows, small gathering spaces, flexible open areas, as well as attention to detail and materiality, The Bicentennial Common and Formal Quad will collectively work together to communicate the 200 year history of Dalhousie University and situate it as a forward thinking institution, which celebrates diversity and fosters innovation 

Status

Completed 2019

Our Role

Landscape Architecture, Interpretive Planning

Client

Dalhousie University

Location

Halifax, Nova Scotia