WHT Mead Building, Lakeland College

Blending modern technology with the warmth of timber, the WHT Mead Building brings people together in a bright, connected space for learning and collaboration.

Reimagined for a growing college community, the building adds a contemporary mass timber addition with flexible, light-filled classrooms that support how students learn, share, and connect each day. It is named after William H.T. Mead, who graduated from Lakeland College in 1927. Mead pioneered research in artificial insemination and helped establish the University of Alberta Research Ranch in Kinsella, Alberta. Mead received the Distinguished Agrology Award in 1978 and was inducted into the Alberta Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1989.

Over the past decade, Lakeland College’s agricultural and environmental sciences programs have grown by more than 200 percent, outpacing the original 1964 building. With input from students, faculty, and stakeholders, GEC transformed the WHT Mead Building into a healthy, adaptable academic hub that balances heritage and innovation. The project includes a striking timber addition with exposed Douglas fir and hemlock ceilings, tiered lecture theatres, and active-learning spaces where students work together on hands-on projects and hybrid lessons. Classrooms and gathering areas encourage collaboration, accessibility, and spontaneous interaction among students and faculty. The WHT Med Building is also home to the Student-Managed Farm - a planning space for animal science technology and crop technology students that manage Lakeland’s crop, livestock and research units.

Sustainable design strategies improve both air quality and energy performance. Low-VOC materials, displacement ventilation, energy modelling, and upgraded mechanical and electrical systems create a safe, comfortable, and high-performing environment. Exterior improvements, including modern cladding, roof insulation, and refreshed signage, give the building a contemporary identity while honouring Lakeland’s heritage.

Consolidated faculty offices and a central breezeway strengthen daily interaction across disciplines and link the building seamlessly to campus circulation. A donor wall made from rough-sawn wood squares engraved with local cattle brands celebrates the college’s agricultural roots, connecting the space to its community and history.

Today, the WHT Mead Building welcomes more than 800 students each year. It functions as a hub for learning, collaboration, community events, and industry partnerships. By combining technology-enabled classrooms, flexible spaces, and heritage-inspired details, the building demonstrates GEC’s commitment to creating environments shaped by people, purpose, and place.