The Welland Campus Student Commons is a finalist for a prestigious interior design award – and the public has a chance to vote for the winner until September 30.

The SBID International Design Awards 2020 lists the Student Commons, designed by Gow Hastings Architects, as one of 18 finalists in its Public Space Design category.

The space, which officially opened in September 2018, was part of $15-million addition and renovation to the Simcoe building, and part of the College’s $64-million campus redevelopment project that provided new and expanded facilities at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses.

The new 35,000 square-foot double-height space includes a cafeteria, retail space, activity room, welcome centre and open spaces for learning and study, with hotel-style amenities such as super-scaled LED monitors and a gas fireplace. The addition also provides the College with an alternative entrance.

The Student Commons is described on its SBID finalist page as “establishing a welcoming heart within the sprawling decentralized campus, and establishing a flexible gathering space where students can study, collaborate, eat and socialize.” The write-up noted that the project enhanced student amenities and upgraded the campus with a new north-facing entrance, enhanced wayfinding and branding with bold graphic treatments and introduced natural lighting to the campus.

SBID International Design Awards attract entries from 46 countries around the world. Its three-tier voting process ensures that projects are fairly assessed for technical merit, creative delivery, and ability to inspire those who appreciate and understand truly good design. A technical panel of industry experts assesses entries on technical merits and all eligible entries are then assessed by the panel of expert judges. A public vote makes up 30 percent of the final result. The process is strictly monitored and each voter may cast only one vote per category.

SBID Awards winners for 2020 will be announced on October 23, 2020.

Submit your vote

To vote for the NC Student Commons, visit the Welland Student Commons finalist page on the SBID International Design Award and click on ‘vote for this finalist.’

For info on the SBID awards visit internationaldesignexcellenceawards.com