Memorial University – Emera Innovation Exchange | DIALOG

Location: St. Johns, NL
Client: Memorial University of Newfoundland
Completion: 2018
Size: 4,645 sq m

50,000 sq ft
DIALOG Services: Architecture

Interior Design

Structural Engineering

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A hilltop hotel is revitalized into a multi-use facility overlooking St. John’s. The Emera Innovation Exchange makes room for serendipitous collisions in a new community engagement hub for Memorial University and the city beyond. The facility welcomes students, university faculty and staff, industry start-ups, and the local community into the mixed-use building. The revitalized space offers graduate student housing, community classrooms, private offices, and open shared space for guests and the community at large.

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emera innovation exchange exterior memorial university carousel 01 — A beacon in St. John's From its perch on top of Signal Hill, clean lines of glass juxtapose the octagonal forms of the former Battery Hotel.

emera innovation exchange stair memorial university carousel 03 — Exchanging ideas Understanding how we learn and how we exchange ideas was a large influencer on the design.

emera innovation exchange stair memorial university carousel 04 — Gathering places The arrangement wraps private office and classroom spaces around a larger social hub - anchored by the socially magnetic gathering stair that is meant to emulate the ribs of a ship.

emera innovation exchange stair memorial university carousel 05 — Expansive views This facilitates serendipitous collisions of ideas and people. Chance encounters can occur between students, faculty, industry, and the public.

emera innovation exchange exterior memorial university carousel 06 — Thoughtfully sustainable While LEED® was not required for this building, choices were environmentally sensitive.

emera innovation exchange interior memorial university carousel 08 — Repurposing historic materials Wood from the demolished hotel was used in a variety of ways for the project, lending a nod to the past as well as respecting the local tradition of waste not, want not.

emera innovation exchange interior memorial university carousel 09 — A new purpose The renovation gives new life to a historic building that had served as a beacon and cultural centre to the city of St. John’s since the 1950s.

Meet The Team

It’s a beautiful space, and really - it’s been designed for collaboration.

Cathy Newhook, Manager of Engagement and Communications at MUN’s Harris Centre

emera innovation exchange stair memorial university special feature 01 — A Centre Piece
A gathering stair Glass-fronted classrooms open towards a large common area that is grounded by the massive gathering stair.

emera innovation exchange stair memorial university special feature 03 — A Centre Piece01
A Maritimes tribute The stair's curved form emulates the ribs of a ship and performs double duty - providing a bold transition between levels, and seats to gather for lectures or performances.

A Centre Piece01

A Maritimes tribute The stair's curved form emulates the ribs of a ship and performs double duty - providing a bold transition between levels, and seats to gather for lectures or performances.

Awards

2019 Award of Merit (Finalist) - Building, Engineering & Science, Ontario Consulting Engineering (CEO)