L.R. Wilson Hall, McMaster University

L.R. Wilson Hall is sited at a major entry node along the edge of McMaster University. It is a multi-departmental faculty situated at the eastern entrance to the campus. The landscape programme consists of an entry plaza and spill-out space for the adjacent auditorium, an aboriginal studies terrace including a medicinal wheel garden, interior courtyard and extensive green roofs. Further, the surrounding streetscape design applies the City of Hamilton’s urban braille for the visually impaired.

PMA was also tasked to ensure that the surrounding landscape and its walkways fit within the broader pedestrian circulation of the campus, thus taking cues from the University’s Campus Master Plan. A secondary circuit skirts through the site towards the entry intersection.

PMA provided full landscape architectural services from schematic design through to construction documentation and construction services, under the management of the project architect lead. PMA coordinated efforts with the arborist to maintain and protect as many existing trees from the remnant woodlot along the edge of the site: a wood lot that serves as a backdrop and borrowed scenery to the aboriginal studies terrace.