Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Western University
~$45 Million
Perkins + Will
Cornerstone Architecture
Hayman Construction
2024
The Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Western University is a 100,000 ft², four-storey, net-zero energy facility that serves as the central hub for the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship. Officially opened in 2024, the building is located between the D.B. Weldon Library and the Law Building.
Designed by Perkins & Will and Cornerstone Architecture, it blends traditional campus architecture with modern interiors featuring collaborative spaces, configurable classrooms, and a dramatic central atrium. A standout feature is Canada’s largest on-campus maker space, offering 3D printers, digital labs, metal and woodworking tools, and a Hilti Tool Library for student innovation and prototyping.
The building supports cross-disciplinary learning and venture creation by bringing together incubators, accelerators, mentorship, and academic programs under one roof. Funded in part by a $10 million gift from Ron Schmeichel (JD ’95), the space is designed to foster entrepreneurship, creativity, and hands-on learning across all faculties.
The Ronald D. Schmeichel Building integrates robust structural design with forward-looking sustainability strategies to meet its net-zero energy goals. A four storey cast-in-place concrete slab-and column superstructure is supported by deep caisson foundations, addressing challenging soil conditions. The super insulated envelope includes triple-glazed curtainwalls, thermally broken connections, and high airtightness to minimize energy loss. Passive design strategies—such as optimized massing for solar control—are paired with active systems like geothermal radiant heating and demand-controlled ventilation. The result is a durable, energy-efficient structure that supports flexible, collaborative, and future-focused learning environments within a resilient, high performance framework.
