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Trent University

Heritage Stewardship

  • Welcome
  • The Architectural Vision
  • Ron Thom
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  • Revitalization Projects
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Panoramic photo of the Great Hall

Heritage Stewardship

  • Welcome
  • The Architectural Vision
    • Adamson Power Station
    • Alumni House
    • Athletic Centre
    • Bata Library
    • Champlain College
    • Chemical Science Building
    • DNA Building
    • Environmental Science Building
    • Lady Eaton College
    • Master Planner
    • Otonabee College
    • Peter Gzowski College
    • Science Complex
    • The Faryon Bridge
  • Ron Thom
  • Furniture
  • Revitalization Projects
  • Heritage Policy
TRENTU.CA / Heritage Stewardship / The Architectural Vision / Champlain College

Champlain College

Designed mainly by Ron Thom himself, Champlain is the flagship college and nucleus of the campus, housing the university’s grand dining hall, residences, small seminar rooms, master’s residence (now Alumni House), and a bell tower that visually anchors it like a church spire. The entire complex is built with walls of aggregate rubble, a construction process that is highly labour intensive and expensive, but yields beautiful results evocative of medieval castles. 

Named in honour of the explorer Samuel de Champlain, the college is situated right on the bank of the Otonabee River.  Champlain’s spirit of adventure, discovery, and global citizenship are captured in the college motto:  “continuer mes decouvertes”, “continue my discoveries”.  That spirit lives on in the programs, people, and architecture of Trent’s Champlain College. To Champlainers, architecture matters. Its buildings are renowned for their avante garde use of natural materials and traditional elements in modernist form. Walking through its winding paths and staircases, or through the courtyards or to the banks of the river you’ll feel how the architecture creates a feeling of community, takes inspiration from the natural environment, and provides a safe space for intellectual discovery, adventure, reflection and hearty engagement with a community of learners. At the centre of the college is the impressive Great Hall, which serves as the college's gathering place for formal dinners and events, as well as a daily dining and study hall.  Near the great hall are a Junior Common Room for student recreation and study, The Seasoned Spoon, an independent cooperatively run café serving healthy, organic, locally grown, affordable food, and the newly renovated Champlain Living Learning Commons.

Learn more about Champlain College here!     

Ceiling of the Great hall with Trent banners hanging around diamond shape sky lights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black and White photo of the interior of Champlain College with a lecture being underway and students sitting in rows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An artist's rendering of Trent University with a focus on Champlain College

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

two women walking near champlain

The Architectural Vision

  • Adamson Power Station
  • Alumni House
  • Athletic Centre
  • Bata Library
  • Champlain College
  • Chemical Science Building
  • DNA Building
  • Environmental Science Building
  • Lady Eaton College
  • Master Planner
  • Otonabee College
  • Peter Gzowski College
  • Science Complex
  • The Faryon Bridge
  • Support Heritage - Donate Now

Additional Resources

  • Ron Thom: Trent University’s Walking Tour
  • Media and Awards
  • Student Project: Ron Thom's Original Collection
  • Trent University Art Collection
  • Trent University Visual Archive
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Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

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