Yesterday, I had a late night discussion with the reborn
trekkie fan Andrew about the various buildings at the
University of Alberta and its gotten me to think a little more about the buildings I have been to on campus. So here are my thoughts on some of the buildings that stand out in my mind.
ETLC/ECERF (Engineering Teaching and learning Complex and Electrical and Computer Engineering Research Facility)
Among the newest buildings, it
opened in 2002 to provide classroom space for more than 3000 students and houses a research facility focusing on nanotechnology, robotics, biotechnology, electronic and photonic devices among other engineering related research. This building is decently furnished and even designed to accomodate offices for various student groups and vehicle projects. As well, they now have a pretty good wireless coverage and abundant power and internet outlets. The building and washrooms are also fairly clean considering the amount of traffic that goes through them in one day. I also like the fact they converted the outdoor patio (that was never used) to a new workplace for students with a section designated as quiet area. Designed with students in mind, it is definitely one of the best buildings on campus.
Computing Science Building (CSB)
You poor
computing science students. I hate this building. Lighting is horrible. Dull colors like the waxed cement floor surrounds you. Access to the wireless network is a hassle and coverage isn't that great either. Ventilation seems to be lacking in many of the labs and when there are 30 guys in one lab, you just can't help but cringe. However, not all is lost as some great
stories did come out of the Computing Science Building. On another plus, the building is very clean..except for the keyboards and monitors used by students who pick their nose.
NREF (Natural Resources Limited Natural Resources Engineering Facility - I know...who came up with this??)
This building recently opened in October 2004 and is the newest addition to the Engineering Faculty. Although it looks futuristic from the outside, the inside (mainly second floor) is reminiscent of the colors in computing science.
Andrew and I both agree that the interior is probably something similar to
Martha Stewart's prison cell. I haven't had a chance to explore the rest of the building so I can't comment further.
Dentistry and Pharmacy Building
All I can say is WHAT THE F*CK! Whoever designed the building needs to be stripped of their engineering degree and beaten with a stick. The building is a maze and the white walls and floors makes you feel like a lab mice navigating through it! Elevators don't get you to all the floors. To get to certain floors, you have to get off the elevator on a certain floor and walk around to get to the next elevator or the stairs. Its as if two different engineering companies were working on the building each responsible for one floor but no coordination between the two. If my memory serves me correct, I think the would be elevator shaft on one floor ended up being a bathroom. Absolutely terrible and probably the biggest blunder on campus.
CAB (Central Academic Building)
How can I not talk about this building? This building has been my home away from home and I've spent the majority of my university years in the cafeteria located in the basement of this building. I remember there were days when I would skip all my classes and just sit in CAB to talk to all the people that pass through. Awesome times! This is also the building renowned for the white little bugs that crawl around the edges of the wall eating at crumbs that students drop. Why do you think they fumigate the cafeteria every year during the summer?
The Nanotechnology Building
This buiding is slated to be completed in late 2006 and I have high hopes for this building. Being the national center for nanotechnology research, I am sure this building will be one of the most technologically advance and secure buildings on campus. And i'm sure in 10 years time if I were to spill a drink or food onto the floor of the nanotechnology building, nanobots will quickly surround , isolate and clean it up - kind of like the bugs in CAB...just less visible haha.
UPDATE:
Education Building
...is cool just because of the high concentration of females.
Any other building worth noting?
Tags:
University of Alberta architecture