The Engineering 7 (E7) building at the University of Waterloo was designed and built with one, clear purpose in mind: to revolutionize how engineers are educated. Featuring a cutting-edge “robohub” for testing autonomous and robotic vehicles, an experiential learning Engineering Ideas Clinic™, a 3D printing laboratory, lecture halls and an engineering outreach space for youth, E7 is a building intended to transform education and research in Canada and around the world.

Smith + Andersen was engaged as the mechanical engineer for this ambitious project. E7 connects to University of Waterloo’s Engineering 5 (E5) building through a seven-storey atrium with a series of bridges at each level. The mechanical systems extend from E5’s chilled water plant and the campus central steam plant. The mechanical design features several sustainable components, including heat recovery on exhaust air, a solar wall for outside air pre-heating, and high-efficiency variable speed drive chillers. 

Air handling units are equipped with humidifiers to reduce harmful static electricity, while instantaneous water heaters provide on-demand steam in the lab spaces. Low-flow plumbing fixtures are located throughout the facility to reduce water consumption.

Footprint provided energy modelling for the project.