Students in the field of architecture are used to travelling the globe to see advanced new buildings. But next year, students at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture in Cambridge won't have to do that. They'll merely walk down to the city's New City Hall Civic Administration Building to see architecture on the cutting edge.

"I think it’s a wonderful opportunity" says Rick Haldenby, Director of the Waterloo School of Architecture. "They'll just go on a field trip across the bridge to see the new building."

The new administration building employs many features of sustainable design, the wave of the future in the field of architecture.

“It (sustainable design) is the most dominant influence in architecture at this point,” says Haldenby. “Trying to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and improve their energy efficiency.”

Haldenby says buildings today are designed to be more holistic. “It is not a matter of simply improving the seals or adding solar panels.”

Among the new building’s eco-friendly features are its layout, lighting, windows and green roof and wall. Its open concept allows for greater air flow and penetration of natural light, reducing the reliance on air conditioning and artificial lights. These features are not just more environmentally friendly; they also create a better place for people to do their jobs.

“The depths of office floors (allows) greater access to outside light,” says Haldenby. “This creates a pleasant working environment.”

The working environment will also be enhanced by the new building’s four-storey green wall. This will not only be eco-friendly, but visually appealing as well and should attract visitors curious to see the green wall up close.

Even with the environmental features, the most attractive feature from an architectural perspective is that the building will NOT stand out. It has been designed to blend in with the many historic buildings in the downtown area and, in combination, create a series of well-defined, attractive and useful public spaces around it.

“I think that is the main virtue of this building; it’s designed to be a good neighbour,” says Haldenby. “It uses the timeless form of the atrium and links public spaces inside the building with civic spaces outside.”

Students of Waterloo’s Architecture 125: Principles of Environmental Design and Architecture 226: Environmental Building Design will certainly find the new building interesting. Perhaps the Cambridge example will spur them on to become the next Frank Gehry or Frank Lloyd Wright.

“This building appears to be a leader at this point,” says Haldenby. “It’s a very positive example in a great many ways.”