Scheduled for opening in 2028, Gidigaa Migizi College will become the newest addition to Trent’s distinct and renowned collegiate system. Named in honour of Elder and Trent professor Doug Williams, this culturally inspired and state-of-the-art building will offer as many as 700 new residence beds, along with modern classrooms, faculty offices, and vibrant student spaces.

The latest architectural plans incorporate elements that highlight Trent’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement, featuring energy-efficient solutions, modern student spaces, and thoughtfully integrated Indigenous elements.

All architectural renderings by Diamond Schmitt Architects.

• 700+ residence beds, with multiple different room layouts
• Geothermal heating and cooling systems; aiming for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification
• Two spacious lecture halls with a flexible design that allows them to be combined into a single large event space
• Roof-top event space and outdoor pavilion with panoramic views of campus and the Otonabee River
• Student Services Hub to centralize and simplify access to student services and supports
• College Office complete with Academic Skills, Academic Advising, and a Junior Common Room
• Multi-use communal spaces like a movie room, makers space, game room, quiet study nooks, and outdoor landscaped quad for gathering and dining 
• A fully accessible building and naturalized landscape that supports teaching, learning, and reflection on the land, with features such as smudging areas, teaching garden, and a dedicated storytelling space 
• Culturally grounded design elements include organic shapes, natural materials like wood, stone, and metal, and coloured accents that echo the college crest and honour symbolic features like the eagle and pike
• Fully integrated living, learning, and community spaces designed with extensive indoor-outdoor sightlines that welcome natural light and foster a strong connection to nature

The Indigenous design elements for Gidigaa Migizi College are being shaped through engagement with Indigenous communities, including First Peoples House of Learning, the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, and local First Nations communities.

Feedback gathered from talking circles are guiding the incorporation of cultural symbols, architectural features, and spaces that reflect Indigenous traditions and ways of knowing. These elements will be integrated into both interior and exterior designs, with further details to be shared in upcoming engagement sessions.