A Commitment to Heritage and Architectural Excellence at Trent University
In the instructions to the architect written in 1964, it was highlighted that Trent University’s campus should be “a place of aesthetic as well as of intellectual excitement.” Today Trent’s plan, design and architecture owe much to Canadian architect Ron Thom, author of the University’s Master Plan in April 1964 and the visionary behind award-winning campus buildings: Bata Library, Champlain College, Lady Eaton College and the Chemistry Building.
Since then, Mr. Thom’s architectural vision and his creations are a celebrated aspect of campus life – and many of the newer buildings designed by other architects have garnered awards, continuing the tradition of exceptional architecture and design on campus.
The following awards and media attention have been awarded to Trent as a way to recognize the University’s precious trust of architecture and design:
As of 2016 Maclean's magazine has chosen to praise us as not only being the number 1 ranked undergraduate university in Ontario, but also having the most beautiful campus putting major emphasis on our outstanding architectural design found throughout our campuses.
In July 2015, the Globe and Mail posted an article celebrating Trent University for its successful Alumni House renovation project! Commending the University honouring Ron Thom's original vision and style!
Early in 2013, a traveling exhibition from Vancouver and Toronto to Trent University, New Brunswick and Calgary, was awarded a grant of $47,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts. Curated by Adele Weder "Ron Thom and the Allied Arts,” launched in July 2013 and arrived in Peterborough in time for Trent’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014.
In May 2014, Monocole magazine wrote an article celebrating the "Master Planner Architect" that was Ron Thom. Exploring the inspiration and skills required to complete the masterpieces, that to this day remain a marvel.
Early in 2013, a traveling exhibition from Vancouver and Toronto to Trent University was awarded a grant of $47,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts. Curated by Adele Weder “Ron Thom: from West Coast Home to Points East,” launches in July 2013 and will arrive in Peterborough in time for Trent’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2014.
In March 2013 “Madmen on the Otonabee,” a student-curated exhibit of the design behind the furniture of Trent architect Ron Thom, opened at ARTSPACE in Peterborough. The exhibit was curated by fourth-year Business Administration student Richard Love as his legacy project, with a goal to raise awareness of the furniture designs of Ron Thom and their contribution to the collegiate system and social spaces of Trent University
The Archives has a room in the Library dedicated to Ron Thom. It is furnished with a selection of furniture, lamps, and ashtrays chosen by Thom for Trent in the early 1960s. This room is called "The Michael Treadwell Special Collections and Rare Books Room."
In October 2011, $110,000 was raised for renovation of original Ron Thom courtyard. Faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of Trent University gathered outside at Alumni House at Champlain College for the dedication of the Tony Storey Courtyard.
In February 2011, Trent hosted a heritage exhibit as part of Ontario Heritage Week. The festivities included a keynote address by Prof. Symons and a special presentation titled "Ontario's Hidden Heritage" by celebrated author and travel writer Mr. Ron Brown. As part of Ontario Heritage Week celebrations, Trent University Archives and Alumni House both hosted open houses on campus. Members of the public were welcome, free of charge, to view diverse collections of heritage artefacts, housed within the celebrated walls of renowned architect Ron Thom.
In 1990, the Environmental Sciences Building received the "Award of Excellence" from the Canadian Architect Annual Awards Program
Throughout the years the Chemical Sciences building has received several awards and honourable mentions such as in 2003 when it received the Award of Merit from the Canadian Architect Magazine, 2006 honourable mention from the Ontario Association of Architects, and lastly in 2008 where it recieved the Governor General's Medal in Architecture from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.