University of Toronto at Scarborough Rounthwaite, Dick & Hadley, in association with Brian MacKay- Lyons Architect, was awarded the commission to design the new Academic Resource Centre at Scarborough in June 2001. This prestigious project involves the creation of a new central library to serve the entirety of the Scarborough Campus together with a new 500-seat fully wired lecture theatre. The project included 18,000 square feet of renovated space and 80,000 square feet of new construction on two floors. The program incorporates 17,000 square feet of stacks, study spaces for 665 including 90 networked study spaces, labs and workrooms for an 8,300 square foot Teaching and Learning Centre, extensive Collections Management and Circulation Areas, an Advising and Career Centre, and support offices. The Academic Resource Centre is a kinetic environment wherein academic and technical staff are empowered to roam among students and interface within a "virtual" space known as the Teaching and Learning Commons. The project was over $1 Million under budget at the time of tender and opened to students and faculty in September 2003.
