Amit Chakma Engineering Building
Western Universtiy
~ $37 Million
Perkins + Will | Cornerstone Architecture
Norlon Builders
2018
The Amit Chakma Engineering Building (ACEB) is a striking addition to Western University’s Faculty of Engineering, designed to inspire collaboration, innovation, and hands-on learning. Opened in 2018, the 100,000-square-foot facility provides flexible research and teaching spaces, state-of-the-art labs, and modern classrooms that adapt to the needs of students and faculty alike.
At the heart of the building is a soaring atrium that floods the interior with natural light, creating an open and welcoming hub for interaction and idea sharing. Sustainable design principles are woven throughout, with energy-efficient systems and materials that reduce the building’s environmental impact while providing a comfortable, healthy environment.
The ACEB is more than just a building—it is a catalyst for growth in engineering education and research at Western, supporting breakthrough discoveries and equipping the next generation of engineers with the tools and environment they need to succeed.
The structural design of the Amit Chakma Engineering Building balances openness and durability to support its ambitious program. A steel frame system provides long, column-free spans, creating flexible teaching and lab spaces that can adapt as needs evolve. Exposed structural elements highlight the building’s engineering character, making the structure itself a teaching tool. Careful integration of concrete cores and shear walls ensures lateral stability while allowing the signature central atrium to remain light-filled and expansive. The result is a structure that not only meets demanding performance and safety requirements but also embodies innovation, transparency, and adaptability in engineering design.
