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Lazaridis School of Business and Economics | Wilfrid Laurier University
Education 

Lazaridis School of Business and Economics | Wilfrid Laurier University

Location

Waterloo, Ontario

Partners

Diamond Schmitt Architects

Project overview

The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics at Wilfrid Laurier University was developed as a significant addition to the university’s campus, designed to support academic programming while strengthening engagement with the broader community.

The building’s architectural form is defined by shifting floor plates and curvilinear features that articulate interior program areas on the exterior.

A central, daylit atrium serves as the primary organizing space within the facility. Designed for year-round use, it provides a functional and accessible gathering area suited to Waterloo’s winter climate. The atrium accommodates both scheduled activities and informal student use, acting as a circulation hub and shared space within the building.

Informal study areas and breakout rooms are located around the atrium on each level. These spaces support collaborative learning and provide flexible environments for group work, discussion, and academic interaction.

The building includes dedicated incubator space to support collaboration between the university and industry partners. These facilities are intended to facilitate research, innovation, and community engagement in response to the region’s continued economic growth.

MTE's Involvement

Wilfrid Laurier University, with the support of the provincial government, developed this facility to accommodate the increasing demand for enrollment in its business and math programs. The Lazaridis School of Business and Economics is proudly LEED Gold and 2030 Challenge certified, setting a benchmark for sustainable design on a large scale.

Prior to the design of the building, MTE initially provided environmental engineering support through a Designated Substance and Hazardous Building Materials Audit, the preparation of a Demolition Plan and tendering support for the demolition of the former St. Michael’s elementary school building.

MTE also provided civil engineering services, completing the site grading and servicing, and stormwater management design and assisted the project team through the site plan and building permit approvals processes. In addition, MTE also completed the topographical survey and prepared the salt management plan for the site. Again, the building is designed to meet LEED Gold standards. For this aspect, MTE collaborated with the mechanical consultant and landscape architect to integrate a rainwater cistern into the stormwater management design that collected and recycled rainwater to be used for irrigation and for grey water applications.