MTE's Involvement
MTE provided structural engineering services for the expansion of the University of Waterloo’s Health Services building. The project included the renovation of the existing 10,450 ft² facility, along with a new two-storey, 21,200 ft² addition that introduces a modern, on-campus medical and mental health clinic for students.
The addition was designed to complement the existing building by occupying the space between the original structure and the street. A new entrance connects the two, creating a pie-shaped courtyard that encourages informal gathering. Above, the second-floor cantilevers over the courtyard, supported by a triangular precast concrete column that also functions as a bench at ground level. Updates to the existing building included selective recladding and refinishing of the stucco exterior to create a cohesive connection between old and new.
The addition incorporates a combination of structural steel, precast, and cast-in-place concrete. To better integrate with the surrounding natural landscape, cast-in-place concrete elements were formed using wood plank liners, introducing a textured finish that reflects the adjacent pond and forest setting.