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Peter George Centre for Living and Learning
McMaster University
~$120 Million
Diamond Schmitt Architects
EllisDon
2019
The Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL) at McMaster University is a 12-storey, 335,000-square foot facility that combines residence, academics, wellness, and student services in a single, integrated space.
Opened in 2019 and named after President Emeritus Peter George, the building includes a 500-bed student residence, two large lecture halls, an active learning classroom, a Student Wellness Centre, and underground parking. A childcare centre for toddlers and preschoolers was added in 2023. A four-storey skylit atrium features a sculptural helical staircase, linking lounges, study rooms, and shared kitchens with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects and built by EllisDon, PGCLL was developed with BIM processes and targeted LEED Silver certification through energy efficient design, water conservation, and healthy material selection. As the first new residence on campus in 15 years, PGCLL provides a dynamic and holistic student environment for both living and learning.
The Peter George Centre for Living and Learning required an innovative structural approach to accommodate its vertically integrated mixed-use program. Large lecture halls and active learning spaces on the lower levels demanded long-span transfer systems to support a residential tower above. VB&S engineered a concrete frame system that redirected loads from cast-in-place bearing walls to four strategic columns—allowing the removal of central supports for more open floor space. Stacked lecture halls utilized composite steel beams and concrete slab systems to address vibration and span requirements. Deep foundations, tight site constraints, and a four-storey atrium with a sculptural stair added to the project’s structural complexity, all resolved through detailed BIM coordination.
