Richard Ivey Building, Richard Ivey School of Business

The vision for the Richard Ivey Building in London, Ontario, was to create a vibrant, unified campus that attracts the best students and faculty, expresses Richard Ivey School of Business' global identity, and celebrates Western University’s history.Arranged around a central, landscaped quadrangle, all spaces encourage the formal and informal collaboration vital to the formation of lifelong networks. A full height Great Hall anchors the main circulation, with the dining hall, library and amphitheatre extending into the surrounding landscape as distinct pavilions. Designing from the inside out, HPA created spaces that support Ivey’s unique case-based and team learning pedagogy. The research-based design process involved numerous workshops and a survey of 60 top business schools. Special attention was paid to the proportions and design of the 20 case study classrooms, their tiered horseshoe seating configured to encourage exchange. Breakout rooms and built-in benches in the corridors facilitate the continuation of conversation. The design supports the School’s vision through its form, massing, and materiality. Achieved on an aggressive project schedule, the Richard Ivey building is a beacon of the school’s flagship status.