CONESTOGA COLLEGE
Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences and Biotechnology wins national design award

The magazine noted that "beyond merely updating classrooms into advanced research labs, the mandate was to put science on display,'" a motto that inspired the project through its various phases.  

Located at the college's Kitchener - Doon campus, the centre has also won the following awards and recognition from industry-leading organizations:  

• Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario Award
• Ontario General Contractors Association Builder Award
• Grands Prix du Design Silver Certification
• Society of British & International Interior Design Award finalist
• FX International Design Award - Public Sector - finalist
• Interior Designers of Canada Value of Design Award - Award of Excellence

There is also a decision pending on an International Design Awards iDesign Award.

"The design accommodates all of the highly technical requirements for Canadian biosafety standard level 2 classification laboratories, while simultaneously showcasing these spaces to the college community with oversized glazed openings - effectively putting science on display,'" said Greg Poste, director, Architecture.

"The design is modern, bright and welcoming and places our School of Health & Life Sciences in a very good position to advance our degree programs and partner with research agencies."

Tammy Terpstra, a professor in the School of Health & Life Sciences, said the new design has impressed community partners and potential employers.

"Over the past year, the Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences and Biotechnology has hosted visitors from various sectors, including local hospitals, government officials, equipment suppliers and other academic institutions. These visitors have been consistently impressed by our state-of-the-art labs," Terpstra said.

"Not only do they replicate labs typically seen in hospitals and within industry, but are also designed to promote functionality, collaborative work, and have a modern, clean appearance. Feedback from visiting community partners has been extremely positive and they consistently express eagerness to accept co-op students and hire our graduates." 

The renovation has helped to facilitate learning and teaching advancements, with students and faculty speaking highly of the upgrades.

"The new Cowan Centre for Medical Sciences and Biotechnology is fully equipped with all the modern equipment that you find in modern biological, chemical, and biotechnology labs. This space has inspired faculty to push the boundaries of education and research, while our students develop key skills to equip them for the future landscape of the scientific and health care communities," said Ryan Roeder, professor, School of Health & Life Sciences.

The centre is the result of a transformative gift from The Cowan Foundation to help advance programming at Conestoga. A valued partner, the foundation has been instrumental in the development of several other college facilities, including the Career Centre and the Cowan Health Sciences Centre. 

"This renovation and innovative space would not have been possible without The Cowan Foundation's support to help advance health care with accessible, high-quality programming and facilities over the next five years," said Sandra Schelling, vice president, Enrolment Logistics and executive dean, Schools of Health & Life Sciences and Community Services.  

"In addition to The Cowan Foundation, we thank the many employees and partners who had the vision and dedication to make this great space a reality, notably Curt Monk and Stacey Robinson from the School of Health & Life Sciences, and Tim Schill and Greg Poste from our facilities and architecture teams who worked closely with Gow Hastings Architects to complete this award-winning project."

Conestoga's School of Health & Life Sciences offers a range of credentials to assist in the goal of becoming a health care professional. From pre-health programs, through to certificates, diplomas, graduate certificates and degrees, the school delivers the most up-to-date training provided by expert faculty and staff in state-of-the-art facilities.