The University of Windsor has named CS&P Architects Inc. as the firm chosen to provide all-inclusive design and implementation of renovations to the Armouries and proposed renovations to the Windsor Star building.
The University plans to move its Music and Visual Arts academic programs downtown to the historic Windsor Armouries building, and is considering converting the landmark Windsor Star building for the use of the School of Social Work’s academic program and the University’s Centre for Executive & Professional Education.
CS&P is a Toronto architectural firm specializing in the design of public spaces and community-focused projects such as the $50-million Windsor Justice Facility which houses Windsor Police Headquarters and the provincial courthouse; Ryerson University’s Student Campus Centre; the University of Guelph’s Stewart Hall; Queen’s University’s Faculty of Law at Macdonald Hall; and the Harbourfront Community Centre, to name a few.
Design work will begin immediately on the project which aims to make downtown Windsor an education destination, allowing UWindsor to join St. Clair College’s vibrant Centre for the Arts and Mediaplex in drawing students to the city’s core.
“Our downtown location will provide new and distinctive opportunities for our students and a greater impact of our University on our community,” says University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman. “We look forward to working with CS&P in envisioning spaces that will enrich and inspire our students while respecting and celebrating the historical qualities of these landmark buildings.”
The project is funded through a $10-million capital donation from the City of Windsor and its gift of the Armouries building, as well as a provincial government contribution of $15 million announced in May.
CS&P spokesman Craig Goodman says the firm is excited about the projects and is honoured to have been selected as architect. “This represents a unique opportunity for the University of Windsor to not only develop and enhance student achievement through these two leading-edge interdisciplinary facilities, but to also participate in the revitalization of the city’s downtown core.”
Founded in 1963, the University of Windsor has close to 16,000 full-time and part-time students.