Written by Rich Eberhardt, VP University Affairs for the TCSA Executive and Physical Resources

The design visioning session held on Monday, May 8, 2000 expanded on the 6 student centre priorities approved by the Trent Central Student Association Board of Directors in early April. These 6 key aspects were defined as common space, pub & restaurant space, office space for clubs and groups and the TCSA Board, a sheltered bus bay, an integrated services kiosk and quiet study space/ computer lab apace.

PART ONE: Study / Computer Lab Space

Student survey demanded that a student space project include both computer workspace, and quiet study space - the TCSA board agreed. The TCSA Executive, with the help of a broader group visioning session, was charged with the task of identifying the most effective way to provide Trent students with quiet study space and accessible computers. A suggestion was made that creation of a proximate area devoted to social gatherings as well as the potential conversion of some existing space, should make the Library a much more effective study space.

It was decided that the demand for Computer space is not entirely a direct lack of terminals, which is one aspect, but also the lack of effective workstation space. Therefore, instead of creating dedicated computer/study space, an aspect of the TCSA Student Space Project will be the creation of a laptop loan service, funded by the project. In addition, the student centre itself will be wired with several ethernet access points that students can use to access internet resources. Other ethernet access points can be created across campus in co-operation with the University.

PART TWO: Design Aspects

With the change of needs related to quiet space and computer lab space, there remains three main areas of the building which need to be further explained in order to pursue a design process. The function, size and other aspects of a general common area, specific size requirements and needs of a pub/restaurant space, and the exact description of TCSA office space and Clubs and Groups office space.

THE BUILDING as a WHOLE:

Functions: General meeting space, entertainment space, accessing food services, accessing TCSA services & university services (integrated desk), gathering place (waiting for bus), work space for clubs and groups, promotion of clubs and groups, providing vending space.

Needs: Clubs and Groups work space & offices, Vending Space, convenient food services, restaurant style food services, a pub, TCSA Office.

Special Details:
* Must be welcoming and inviting.
* Bright, and Open space - not concrete and sterile!
* Must be high quality materials and furnishings
* must be "fully wired" for campus cards and Internet connections
* accessible 24hrs/day

A. Pub / Restaurant Space

Functions: large special events, day to day restaurant, nightly dance bar / coffee house, catering to a < 19 audience for evening activities

General Needs: stage space, servery/food preparation space, bar space

Capacity (per person, licensed space): Balcony 100, Floor 200, Patio 100

Special Details: Floor & Balcony: The pub must be built to be adaptable to change licensed and non licensed areas. The best way to achieve this is to have a balcony which could be held as a licensed area while the floor can be opened to all ages to increase capacity for special events.

Patio: A 2nd floor open air patio could further contribute to the capacity of a building, as well as providing a potential 2nd access point and allowing a place for smoking.

Stage: The pub should be arranged so the "front" focal point of the pub is a stage which can be used for large special events, as well as day to > day concerts or theatre productions

Kitchen/Servery: A small kitchen to prepare pub fare is a necessary aspect of the pub

Proximity to Common Area: For very large special event days (i.e.. Head of the Trent), it is important that the entire floor of the common area be able to carry a special event license. To open the common area to large special event crowds, it is also important that the pub is directly adjacent to the common space. One suggestion is to have the balcony of the pub which faces away from the stage be overlooking the open common space.

B. Office Space - TCSA Board and Clubs & Groups

Functions: Space for TCSA Board to expand student services, office space for clubs, multipurpose resource space, board/meeting room.

General Needs: One comprehensive TCSA office space with several small rooms within, large clubs and group offices, 8 small clubs and groups offices, 1 large multipurpose room, 1 large boardroom

Capacity:
*TCSA Office: 1.5 * existing space.- internal: 3 exec offices, 1 small conference room, reception room, computer room.
*Large Clubs and Groups Offices: Approx. 600 sq ft. (x3)
*Small Clubs and Groups Offices: Approx. 100 sq ft (x8)
*1 Multipurpose room: Approx. 800 Sq ft.
*Boardroom: 40 person meeting rm.

Special Details:

Multipurpose Room: Should have a reception desk, computer workstations, storage space for clubs and groups, workdesks and tables.

C. Common Space

Functions: Main general campus meeting space, accessing bank machine, accessing basic food services, accessing vendors and special events (Imaginus poster sale), accessing businesses, sitting on couches, accessing email terminals, waiting for the bus, main entry to building, sitting at tables, using the integrated university services desk

Needs: Large open space, adjacent to pub space and corridors which connect to remainder of building. Main doors (to sheltered bus bay), bank machine facilities, bank of email terminals, vending space, integrated services kiosk, circles of couches, areas of tables & chairs, space for front end coffee & donut servery, space for front end business.

Capacity: As large as cost allows.

Special Details: * Large open Space (layout): should be open to a 2nd storey roof with as many skylights as possible. Central space should be kept for a main concourse, surrounded by groupings of couches, tables and chairs. Other aspects should be pushed to wallspace as much as possible.

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