
Brock University Residence 8
Brock University
~$40 Million
architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson
Bird Construction
2022
Brock University’s Residence 8, opened in January 2022, is a striking six-storey, 308-bed building that ushers you through the eastern gateway of campus with modern flair and thoughtful design. Crafted by architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson, the structure is strategically stepped to comply with Niagara Escarpment height restrictions—verified using a crane mock-up pre construction—ensuring it nestles beneath the tree line.
A key jewel is the ground-level green quadrangle, a vibrant outdoor lounge framed by adjacent residences and Residence 9, offering students a peaceful gathering courtyard. Inside, the lobby features a 24/7 service desk, large common lounge, music room, study zones, and laundry on the main floor—all connected into the campus via an underground tunnel from Alan Earp Residence.
Upper floors each host three wings, each around 45 single rooms that form semi-suite pods sharing a two person, three-piece washroom—promoting student bonding and privacy. Shared lounges and study rooms on every level capture sweeping vistas of the Niagara Escarpment, with a sixth-floor terrace offering particularly spectacular outlooks.
Visually bold and functionally refined, Residence 8 blends sustainable, student-centered spaces with a campus community ethos—creating a lively hub that’s architecturally distinct and deeply integrated with Brock’s landscape and student life.
Residence 8 at Brock University features a cast-in-place concrete structural system, selected for its strength, fire resistance, and acoustic separation—essential qualities in a student residence setting. The six-storey structure uses reinforced concrete slabs and shear walls to efficiently manage vertical and lateral loads. The building’s massing was carefully stepped to align with local topography and Niagara Escarpment height guidelines, requiring precise coordination between architectural and structural design. Foundations were adapted to the sloped site conditions, while the below-grade tunnel connection to the adjacent Alan Earp Residence posed unique structural integration challenges, particularly with alignment, waterproofing, and long-term durability.






