The 178,300 square foot Trades, Technologies and Innovation Facility (TTIF) addresses the need to expand trades and technology education at Lethbridge Polytechnic and fosters interdisciplinary innovation among students, instructors and industry partners – a key theme of Lethbridge’s academic vision.

The building’s shape references local landforms while optimizing daylight principles, building envelope performance and mechanical-electrical system integration. Two slender wood columns support an overhang to create a sheltered area at the main entrance and signal the procession of paired wood columns along a north-south central spine.

The building includes instructional shop facilities that provide for heavy equipment, automotive, wind turbine and welding technologies as well as high-head workshops devoted to research, and a virtual welding facility. In addition to the increase in shop space, the facility also provides technologically equipped classrooms of various sizes, administration areas, student study and social spaces and 60 new faculty offices. A double-height atrium provides expansive views to the surrounding landscape and provides natural light to the interior spaces.

The use of wood as a design element supports the Polytechnic’s focus on sustainability by making the facility both a showpiece and learning tool for energy-efficiency. A comprehensive array of passive and active sustainable design features includes net zero utility cost to operate the expanded area at no more than the smaller facility it replaces. The LEED Gold building optimizes daylight access, building envelope performance and mechanical-electrical system integration.