09/02/2026
The revitalization of University of Regina’s Riddell Centre Commons transformed an outdated food service and student gathering space into a hub that fosters community, school pride, and student engagement.
A diverse mix of seating—including booths, communal tables, lounge seating, and high-top counters—supports a range of activities, from individual study and casual dining to collaborative work and informal social gatherings.
A warm, contemporary material palette draws inspiration from both the University’s identity and the building’s original architectural language.
A key design intervention involved removing the existing six-foot-high partitions and low ceiling elements that fragmented the space and limited visibility. A suspended acoustic wood-look ceiling grid introduces a distinctive architectural feature while improving acoustic performance.
A defining element of the project was the preservation and reintegration of local artist Jacqueline Berting’s original cast glass artwork. More than 200 salvaged glass panels were carefully relocated onto structural columns and illuminated with integrated backlighting, transforming them into striking architectural features. By celebrating this significant piece of the building’s history within a renewed contemporary setting, the design creates a meaningful connection between the University’s past and present.
The result is a modern, welcoming student commons where openness, functionality, art, and campus identity come together.
Photos: Patricia Holdsworth Photographer
Contractor: PCL Construction
Furniture: Avanti Office Products
Glass Artwork: Berting Glass
