The challenge of the Richard Ivey Building was to create a new, modern facility that celebrates the institution’s heritage and fits with the campus Gothic Collegiate architecture. Conceived as a rocky geode breached by crystal, the building imparts both gravitas—its masonry exterior conveying tradition—and vibrancy, experienced in its interior. Arranged around a central, landscaped quadrangle, all spaces encourage the formal and informal collaboration vital to the formation of lifelong networks. A full height great hall anchors the main circulation, with the dining hall, library and amphitheatre extending into the surrounding landscape as distinct pavilions. Designing from the inside out, HPA created spaces that support Ivey’s unique case-based and team learning pedagogy. The research-based design process involved numerous workshops and a survey of 60 top business schools. Special attention was paid to the proportions and design of the 20 case study classrooms, their tiered horseshoe seating configured to encourage exchange. Breakout rooms and built-in benches in the corridors facilitate the continuation of conversation.
The building’s materials—stone, concrete, glass, copper, steel, walnut, and Douglas fir—were selected for their elemental and timeless qualities. Innovative site strategies and embedded technologies were employed to achieve a sustainable design, including the selection of the site and vegetation, storm water and waste management plans, and the use of locally sourced and manufactured materials. The quadrangle layout of the building maximizes natural light, and operable windows allow cross-ventilation throughout. Achieved on an aggressive project schedule, the Richard Ivey building is a beacon of the school’s flagship status.
