The three-storey ATIRC is the first dedicated facility in central Ontario of its kind to support research, acceleration and commercialization. Envisioned as the “centrepiece of Georgian’s Barrie Campus,” the new campus landmark assumes a striking presence off Highway 400.

The Centre houses research and entrepreneurship spaces, including incubator, change-maker and fabrication spaces that are also used for collaboration with external industry partners. It feature CAD, CAM and GIS labs, as well as collaboration space for over 800 degree and diploma students. Other dedicated program spaces include a tele-presence room, electrical lab, environmental lab, an anechoic chamber and other technical project facilities.

The building design focuses on a 3-storey central hall that connects the Research, Innovation and Collaboration labs to the remainder of the teaching labs while also providing lounge and study spaces with views into the various labs and classrooms and out to the campus and landscape beyond. The building is connected to adjacent campus buildings via a second storey link that provides further collaboration possibilities with other departments. The building cladding is comprised of a highly insulated metal sandwich panel assembly, in a pattern and colour that mimics the design of an electrical circuit board.

As the new home of Georgian’s environmental programs and industry partners, the Centre will log data on the usage and functionality of: rooftop solar panels; a micro-grid display room; building automation control system; geothermal ground source heating and cooling; LED lighting; and storm water.