All of the buildings on the Carleton University campus have something to say. Some scream. Others whisper. It’s up to us to listen to uncover their truths.
After three-and-a-half years at Carleton, I’ve had ample time to listen to each building as it uncovers its secrets. I’ve roamed the halls (and the tunnels). I’ve kept my ear to the ground.
Throughout this process, I’ve developed some opinions. Without further ado, here’s a comprehensive rating of each academic building on the Carleton campus.
- Richcraft Hall
Live plant wall and stunning river views. No further elaboration needed. Richcraft Hall is the easy choice for best building on campus — and I don’t just say this as a biased journalism student. My only minor qualm lies with the first-floor statue. The design is super slick, but can you walk under it? It feels like bad luck and I can’t stop thinking about it.
- Nicol Building
Older buildings on campus simply wish they could be as cool as the Nicol Building. Its grand, open atrium is filled with natural light. The upper-floor chairs that look over the ledge into the atrium below are the ideal study spot for those who enjoy observing the hustle and bustle, without being right in the thick of it.
- MacOdrum Library
The wonderful smell of old books simply radiates from this building. The library’s recent fourth-floor renovations significantly boost this building’s ranking — while the only downside is that it’s much busier now, the new space is bright and dynamic, and the ominous blue study pods make me feel like I’m in a cocoon.
- Nideyinàn
The daunting stairs greeting you immediately upon entering this building are a classic way to get your daily workout in. While some of the older buildings on campus are in desperate need of an upgrade, Nideyinàn has withstood the test of time. It has a wide variety of food options, fun study spaces (the Charlatan office included) and truly feels like the heartbeat of campus.
- Architecture Building
Admittedly, the first time I stepped into this building was for research purposes while writing this article. But I was immediately impressed with what I saw — the sprawling sketches, stunning study spaces and plants in every corner are such a treat.
- H.H.J. Nesbitt Biology Building
Nesbitt is like a refreshing breath of oxygen-filled air. Seriously — I’ve never seen so many plants in an indoor space, so the oxygen levels must be going crazy. The building’s open design and charming butterflies are additional bonuses in this space.
- Health Sciences Building
This building has a mysteriously tall appeal. Think Dunton tower. Now imagine its new and improved younger sibling. I’m not sure what happens in this building. Probably lots of health science stuff. But the ground-floor lecture hall is easily the best on campus and makes those big first-year lectures feel slightly less daunting.
- Dunton Tower
Dunton’s towering presence truly speaks for itself. Its allure whisps around campus as the 22-floor behemoth watches over us like a guardian angel. The views from the upper floors are undeniably cool. Unfortunately, the interior is massively underwhelming in comparison.
- Paterson Hall
I can’t get Paterson to speak to me. It isn’t overly excellent, but it also doesn’t stand out for any of the wrong reasons. Although, the Scotiabank nestled on the tunnel level feels confusing. Ranking it in the middle somehow seems right.
- Tory Building
I’m still trying to figure out how the second floor of the Tory Building is on the same level as the fourth floor of Nideyinàn. Aside from this major confusion, Tory has charm. As the oldest building on campus, it has stuck with the times remarkably well.
- Azrieli Pavilion
At first, this building seems like any other building on campus: dark, dismal hallways and yellow-tinged lights. But head up to the top floor, and you’ll find a bright, collaborative studio for architecture and information technology students.
- Azrieli Theatre
This building is only known for its massive and archaic lecture halls, complete with their squeaky chairs and frigid concrete walls. It loses points for only having one (quite gross and confusingly humid) bathroom within the entire building.
- Canal Building
With a name like the Canal Building, it’s confusing why there’s a major road separating it from a body of water. But, alas — Colonel By Drive. While this building has a cool vibe, it loses points solely based on its inconspicuous neighbouring connections — I often end up here without even realizing it after escaping the depths of the Mackenzie Building. And it’s super disorienting.
- Steacie Building
Oh, sweet science labs. While my reasons to explore this building are few and far between, what always stands out is its strange wooden panelling and endless exposed brick.
- St. Patrick’s Building
This building is far from absolutely everything, and is somehow completely devoid of natural light. However, the Carleton University Art Gallery is nestled into this building, which is its one redeeming quality.
- Teraanga Commons
I’m still puzzled by the fact that Teraanga Commons is considered an academic building. Why must we hold classes in the residence hub? Characterized by its suffocatingly small, windowless classrooms, the academic spaces within this building don’t have much going for them.
- Pigiarvik
With its blinding fluorescent lights and cubic feel, this building reminds me of an indoor shopping mall — and not in a good way.
- Herzberg Laboratories
On the topic of maze-like buildings, I’m surprised Herzberg doesn’t come up more often. It gives major labyrinth vibes, and the floors, while fresh and recently renovated, emit a weird echo, even when you tread lightly.
- Minto CASE
The constant piano sounds constantly echoing through every corner of this building are enough to drive the average (non-engineering student) insane. The tinted windows give it a constant dreary vibe, making it impossible to know what time it is. On top of all this, Minto building has enough concrete to pave the span of Doug Ford’s new Highway 413 project.
- Loeb Building
Four towers of pure confusion and dizzying chaos. I’ve climbed nine floors of stairs in this building before because I couldn’t find the elevator going up the right tower. Need I say more?
- Southam Hall
Speaking of being far from everything, enter Southam Hall. While recent renovations have added some life to the building and have removed the dungeon-y feel, I still have major problems with the narrow stairs that become impossible to navigate during high-traffic times.
- Mackenzie Building
I have yet to go into this building without getting hopelessly and utterly lost. I stand by the myth that they made Mackenzie intentionally confusing to force the engineering students to finally interact with each other just to find a way out.
Featured image by Maia Tustonic.
