“We believe we’ve created a building where every student can feel
welcome, safe, motivated and connected to their peers,” explains
Siva Vimalachandran, Executive Director of York University Student
Center.
The building is conceived as a “living room” for student life that
is broadly embraced by the campus community. Designed in
complete collaboration with it houses numerous dynamic features
to promote student success and inclusivity including:
• The top floor offers a large multi-faith prayer space where
students of all religions are welcome to hold service and pray.
The space is used regularly by all faiths without conflict and has
even served as a recruitment tool for students of faith.
• A food pantry in the lower level of the building serves students
facing food insecurity
• A wellness clinic in the building is open to all students who may
need someone to talk to, self-harm reduction tools and training,
quiet time, mental health counselling recommendations and
more. Moreover, feminine hygiene products are available for free
in all of the centre’s bathrooms
• A bustling club space connects students from all different student
clubs. Just some of the clubs include Hallyu Dongari, the Middle
Eastern Student Organization and the Latin American club.
• The building is a hub for student activity, hosting movie nights,
socials and Multicultural Week which features international dance
and food competitions annually.
• The building offers dedicated dance studios on the ground floor
and open space throughout. It is not uncommon to see different
international dances practiced steps from the multi-faith prayer
space on any given day.
• Rooted in safety design principles that embrace natural light,
maximized sightlines and more, the building is designed so nobody
should feel unsafe anywhere in the building.
“This project excels at creating a campus destination where all
students can feel welcome, safe, engaged and motivated to excel,”
said Brad Lukanic, CEO of CannonDesign and a member of the York
U Student Centre project team. “York University made an inclusive
design part of this project’s mission from day one. The Second Student
Centre stands as a paragon of how design can make measurable
positive differences in both campus culture and students’ lives.”
THE BUILDING IS CONCEIVED AS A “LIVING
ROOM” FOR STUDENT LIFE THAT IS BROADLY
EMBRACED BY THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.