Saucier + Perrotte - Perimeter Institute

Saucier + Perrotte
The Perimeter Institute
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada

“The design achieved everything in the program within a context of stunning beauty and daring innovation.”
Howard Burton
Executive Director

Photo: Marc Cramer

The Perimeter Institute, an international center for basic research in foundational issues of theoretical physics, is located on the shore of Silver Lake in Waterloo Park.
The building defines the secure zones of the institute's facilities within a series of parallel walls, embedded in an erupting ground plane that reveals a large reflecting pool.

The design is inspired by the nebulous spaces occupied by the subjects of theoretical physics, at once micro- and macro-cosmic, rich in information and of indeterminate form and substance.
The facade design, with its geometrically patterned panels, is meant to underline the nature of its occupants' investigations of mysterious natural forces.

Photo: Marc Cramer

Two wings of offices are separated by a glass-roofed atrium and an exterior courtyard. Three bridges span the exterior courtyard, to encourage easy continuance of scientific discussion for researchers, connecting the building on the second and third levels. Each bridge culminates in an informal meeting area, overlooking either the exterior garden or the atrium, that are visually accessible from alternate floors, enabling resident researchers to quickly assess who is in the building throughout the day or night.

Photo: Marc Cramer

There are 44 single research offices, together with larger shared offices, to accommodate additional researchers, and 15 administrative offices. The building is flooded with natural light from the generous amount of glass throughout the building and from the central atrium.

Photo: Marc Cramer

The facility also contains a two-story library, two seminar rooms, a large lecture theater, seating 210, and a bistro with a rooftop deck, located above the lecture theater at the eastern edge of the building.
To ensure a warm and personal atmosphere throughout, six wood-burning fireplaces are placed in lounges, informal meeting areas and the bistro.

Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte
Site Plan

Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte
Ground Floor Plan

Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte
Mezzanine Plan

Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte
Longitudinal Section

Total area: 6 000 square meters (64 000 square feet)
Completed: September 2004

Client: Perimeter Institute
Architects: Saucier + Perrotte

March 14, 2005





				Features
		Saucier + Perrotte The Perimeter Institute Waterloo, Ontario Canada “The design achieved everything in the program within a context of stunning beauty and daring innovation.” Howard Burton Executive Director Photo: Marc Cramer The Perimeter Institute, an international center for basic research in foundational issues of theoretical physics, is located on the shore of Silver Lake in Waterloo Park. The building defines the secure zones of the institute's facilities within a series of parallel walls, embedded in an erupting ground plane that reveals a large reflecting pool. The design is inspired by the nebulous spaces occupied by the subjects of theoretical physics, at once micro- and macro-cosmic, rich in information and of indeterminate form and substance. The facade design, with its geometrically patterned panels, is meant to underline the nature of its occupants' investigations of mysterious natural forces. Photo: Marc Cramer Photo: Marc Cramer Photo: Marc Cramer Two wings of offices are separated by a glass-roofed atrium and an exterior courtyard. Three bridges span the exterior courtyard, to encourage easy continuance of scientific discussion for researchers, connecting the building on the second and third levels. Each bridge culminates in an informal meeting area, overlooking either the exterior garden or the atrium, that are visually accessible from alternate floors, enabling resident researchers to quickly assess who is in the building throughout the day or night. Photo: Marc Cramer Photo: Marc Cramer There are 44 single research offices, together with larger shared offices, to accommodate additional researchers, and 15 administrative offices. The building is flooded with natural light from the generous amount of glass throughout the building and from the central atrium. Photo: Marc Cramer Photo: Marc Cramer The facility also contains a two-story library, two seminar rooms, a large lecture theater, seating 210, and a bistro with a rooftop deck, located above the lecture theater at the eastern edge of the building. To ensure a warm and personal atmosphere throughout, six wood-burning fireplaces are placed in lounges, informal meeting areas and the bistro. Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte Site Plan Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte Ground Floor Plan Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte Mezzanine Plan Drawing courtesy Saucier + Perrotte Longitudinal Section Total area: 6 000 square meters (64 000 square feet) Completed: September 2004 Client: Perimeter Institute Architects: Saucier + Perrotte March 14, 2005