Coming Soon to Trafalgar: New Student Space!

By: Ritz

One renovation down, one more to go! If you’re from the Trafalgar campus, you may have heard the news that the Marquee is closed for construction. I’m happy to share the exciting journey of our ongoing renovation that is set to bring a fresh and vibrant change to our main student space on campus. With one successful renovation already completed, I can’t wait to take you on a tour from the Den to the Marquee, highlighting the unique experiences and invaluable lessons learned along the way.  

Completing the Den renovation was an important milestone for us at SSU, as it allowed us to provide a more welcoming and functional space for Sheridan students at the Davis campus. We are proud of the collaborative effort that went into this project, knowing it will enhance the student experience and promote a stronger campus community.

The Marquee vs. The Den: What’s Different? 

While the Den renovation focused on creating lively and multi-functional spaces for our technically inclined and active students at Davis, the Marquee's redesign caters to the more laid-back, artsy vibe of the student community at Trafalgar (TRC). This renovation embraces a unique design approach that reflects the creative culture of TRC. Moreover, the Den’s scope was mainly focused on “facelifting” and minor renovation works, while the Marquee has a more comprehensive scope, including revamping the ceiling, and flooring, and introducing some wall openings. And that's just a part of it—there are more exciting additions in store that we can't wait for you to experience firsthand. Get ready to be surprised! 😊  

Understanding the unique culture of each campus is important for a successful design. At the Den, we created spaces that facilitated both study and social interaction. The Marquee will have similar spaces but since it tends to have a more artistic atmosphere, we included some unique additions to ensure that the new space resonates with thes tudent lifestyle. 

One of the highlights of this TRC renovation is the visual wall. The visual wall will serve as a gallery that displays students’ art, important SSU announcements, and visual content celebrating holidays and significant cultural days. Our Marketing department also plans to collaborate with Sheridan's Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design (FAAD) on content creation, giving them an avenue to reach more students within their network and promote their work.  

Student Feedback Made An Impact!

To create a multi-functional and engaging student space, it is essential to consider what matters most to students: flexibility, accessibility, and comfort. For the TRC renovation, we focused on versatile study areas that accommodate both group and individual study, lounge seating, and dining. The team also introduced some natural lighting that was missing in the space before. These spaces were designed to promote social interaction and relaxation. Throughout the design process, we always asked ourselves, “How will our students feel about this?”  

Lessons Learned & New Approaches 

There are a lot of lessons learned from doing the first renovation that our Facilities Director, together with the whole team, took note of going forward. For the Marquee, we paid special attention to the colour choices and material selections of the furniture. Adding TV and audio sources in the quiet study area was also a good call, as it can double as a presentation room. Removing the stage was a key takeaway from the Den renovation, as it is easier to design a flexible space without it. We have also opted for a furniture selection that is more inclusive and can accommodate more people. 

The journey from The Den to Marquee has been exciting. Each project has offered me opportunities for growth and I'm grateful to be involved to represent students at Sheridan. Despite serving different campus cultures, both The Den and Marquee have connecting elements, leaving an SSU trademark, created by students and for students. One of the most important additions to our team has been our new President, Ganyo Soh, a recent graduate of Sheridan College. Adding more student voices in decisions and planning was highly effective. I look forward to the positive impact these new spaces will have on our students. Thank you for following along on this journey. Stay tuned for more updates on the TRC renovation and other exciting projects at Sheridan Student Union! 😊  

Want to learn more about our spaces on campus?

While the Marquee is being renovated, why not check out Ritz’s blog about her experience with renovating the Den at the Davis campus? Have you checked out its modern study spaces and dining area?