Academic Facilities & Libraries

  • GVSU - Mary Idema Pew Library

    Student needs come first

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  • UFV - Canada Education Park Phase II

    Retrofitted and reused

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  • WCU -The Sciences and Engineering Center & The Commons

    A hybrid building and new hub for campus interactions

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Learning in every space

The intellectual life of academic facilities depends as much on the formal learning areas as it does on the dynamic, vibrant matrix of informal spaces—opportunities for chance encounters and productive discussions. In these, we design spaces for student, faculty, and staff interaction, creating a sense of place that is critical to fostering a strong learning community.

The academic library has always symbolized the intellectual heart of a campus. Its setting articulates the values, aspirations, and mission of the institution. To students, the library is a vital resource—and an important factor in their decision to enroll, but a library must do more than store books to remain relevant in an information- and technology-driven world.

Our designs respond to students’ desires for academic and library spaces that are more socially focused, are more than just an information portal, and can anticipate how they learn, use information, and thrive in an academic community.

Ideas

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College Libraries Turn to Transformational Tech

Published Article

Research + Benchmarking Issue 01 | How Buildings Shape Us

Publication

Design Quarterly Issue 11 | Empowering Design

Publication

Scenic Stormwater Management

Published Article

Bright places and gathering spaces: 5 tips to design a modern industrial learning center

Blog Post

From the Design Quarterly: Building design as a tool for wellness

Blog Post

Academic libraries of tomorrow: 4 models for storing your collections

Blog Post

Research and benchmarking: Revisiting a 21st century library a decade after design

Blog Post

From the Design Quarterly: 3 strategies to design academic research facilities to last

Blog Post

How do our library and learning commons designs stack up?

Video

What’s Research + Benchmarking at Stantec?

Video

Cutting calories and carbon: Rethinking residence life to promote a healthier campus

Blog Post

From the Design Quarterly: Creating the right collisions for higher education

Blog Post

From the Design Quarterly: Bringing an urban campus together for the better

Blog Post

From the Design Quarterly: Old idea, new form—makerspaces make it big

Blog Post

Libraries & Learning Commons, Part 4

Video

Libraries & Learning Commons, Part 3

Video

Why your office needs a makerspace—it’s about investing in the creative workplace

Blog Post

Libraries & Learning Commons, Part 2

Video

Libraries & Learning Commons, Part 1

Video

How being a lifelong learner helps you design great schools

Blog Post

How can we design adaptable buildings?

Blog Post

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Featured News

  • Golden Empire Transit welcomes expanded transit center to CSUB Campus
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  • Boulder Valley School District welcomes redesigned Administration Campus
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  • Stantec takes top spot for 8th year in a row among all A/E firms in Building Design + Construction’s 2020 Giants 400 Report
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  • Prince George’s County Education & Community Partners consortium selected for Prince George’s County, Maryland, schools alternative construction financing project
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How do our library and learning commons designs stack up?

Our Research + Benchmarking team studies the evolution of both academic and public libraries to understand opportunities for transitioning, providing social interaction, and keeping spaces relevant.

Related Markets

Incubating campus cool

How does a university continue to support students when class is over? Modern libraries foster academic fellowship that crosses all disciplines and has the resources, support, and the ability to help guide students. Read More

Revisiting a 21st century library a decade after design

Our Research + Benchmarking team examines the major changes in academic library design over the past two decades. Read More

Recent Projects

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American University – East Campus Development

Washington, District of Columbia

Bucknell University - Academic East

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Camosun College - Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness

Victoria, British Columbia

Centennial College - Downsview Park Aerospace Campus

Toronto, Ontario

Architect: MJMA / Stantec

Cleveland Institute of Art - The George Gund Building

Cleveland, Ohio

Grand Valley State University - Performing Arts Addition

Allendale, Michigan

Kettering University – New Learning Commons

Flint, Michigan

North Park University - Johnson Center for Science and Community Life

Chicago, Illinois

Metropolitan State University of Denver Hotel & Hospitality Learning Center

Denver, Colorado

Oakland University - South Foundation Hall Renovation and Addition

Rochester, Michigan

Selkirk College Student Commons

Nelson, British Columbia

Temple University – Charles Library

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Architect: Stantec/Snohetta Joint Venture

Tarleton State University – Engineering Building

Stephenville, Texas

Thompson Rivers University - Old Main Revitalization

Kamloops, British Columbia

Tufts University - Cummings Building

Medford, Massachusetts

University of British Columbia - Okanagan University Centre

Kelowna, British Columbia

University of Notre Dame - Walsh Family Hall of Architecture

Chicago, Illinois

West Chester University - The Sciences and Engineering Center & The Commons

West Chester, Pennsylvania

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Our innovative educational designs support our greatest asset: the next generation of students.
#5
Top Higher Education Architecture
2M+
Square Feet
#2
Green Design Firm
#4
Top 25 Design Firms
Building Design + Construction (September 2020) ranked us fifth in their top higher education school sector architecture firms.
In the past 10 years, we’ve completed more than two million square feet (186 thousand square metres) of library visioning, planning, and design projects.
We were ranked second in top green design firms in educational facilities by Engineering News Record (September 2020).
Engineering News Record (June 2020) ranked us fourth out of the top 25 design firms in general building – education.

Expert Spotlight

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Services

  • Architecture & Interior Design

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  • Research + Benchmarking

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  • Buildings Engineering

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  • Landscape Architecture

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  • Program & Project Management

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Architecture & Interior Design We create spaces that are engaging and uplifting, that contribute to our collective sense of health and well-being, and encourage the sustainable stewardship of our communities.
Research + Benchmarking Expertise is not static. Through our Research + Benchmarking program, we connect team members across sectors, geographies, and disciplines to continually learn and improve.
Buildings Engineering With decades of innovation and experience under our belts we’re engineering a promising future leveraging the best in building systems, technology, energy analysis, and sustainable performance.
Landscape Architecture Whether it's an urban park, a restored wetland, an athletic complex, or a waterfront destination--through analysis, planning, and design, we create inspired landscapes that reflect context and user needs.
Program & Project Management We know from experience that delivering a complex project without surprises doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges, but our creative approach to planning and controls can head off most problems.

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