Exterior afternoon view of low rise Thompson Rivers University Law School showing undulating stylized wooden roof and prefabricated exterior wooden paneling

TRU Law School: Old Main Revitalization

Location: Kamloops, B.C.
Completion: 2013
Photo credit: Ed White Photographics, courtesy of StructureCraft Builders

Size
4,180 square metres

Structural Engineer
Fast + Epp

Wood Supplier
StructureCraft

Structural systems
Low rise
Panelized
Post + beam
Prefabricated

Project materials
Glue-laminated timber (Glulam)
Millwork
Panelling
Plywood

Species
Western red cedar

Undulating timber roof top echoes the surrounding landscape

Located amid rolling grasslands above the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers in the south-central region of the province, this addition houses the university’s law school.

To meet a tight summer schedule, the panelized roof structure was prefabricated off-site from glue-laminated timber (glulam) beams, wood joists and plywood sheathing. It was installed in only seven weeks, with the panels locking into place like puzzle pieces. Exterior soffits are finished in a smooth western red cedar cladding, making the sweeping serpentine roof appear like a floating ribbon of wood above the south-facing glass curtain wall.

Lightweight champion: wood eases burden on existing structure

Its lighter wood hybrid design has the added benefit of minimizing the additional load on the original 1960s structure, transforming an otherwise forgettable low-rise building into a campus focal point.

A south wing comprises teaching spaces and lecture halls, while the north wing houses the law library and faculty offices. Expansive interior glazing of the double-height atrium creates transparency and sightlines between the lobby and the library reading room. A sculptural spiral staircase complements the design—its top-floor landing accommodates a wraparound study counter with mountain views, and doubles as a panoramic venue for informal gatherings.

An altogether modern, flexible design that can shift with programming and student population changes, this is a law school ready for the future.

“This reinvention of Old Main is an important expression of TRU’s vision for the future. TRU’s first graduating class of law students and each subsequent graduate will carry a tremendous sense of this place with them as they move forward with their careers.”

ALAN SHAVER – PRESIDENT THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY
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