Envisioning south quad – what comes next?

Owais shares how he explored and contributed to a new vision for North Campus.

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owais

YouAlberta is written by students for students.

Owais (he/him) is a third-year mechanical engineering major in the Faculty of Engineering, born and raised in the Sultanate of Oman (close to Dubai). With a taste for adventure, his future plans include exploring South America and Antarctica, but for now, you can find Owais enjoying a good Tom Clancy book while sipping on his favourite Tim’s coffee. His favourite place on campus is on the eighth floor of DICE to soak in the panoramic views of downtown and the river valley, along with enjoying the lively atmosphere of hanging out with fellow engineering students.


Back in January, I visited the South Quad Open Space Planning Study engagement event. Like many students, I’d heard about plans to demolish the Administration Building sometime in the future, but I hadn’t given much thought to what would replace it. I pass by that area every day, and the idea of it being changed was interesting. So, I decided to attend the event to see what the future of the south side of the quad might look like and maybe even contribute my ideas.

The moment I walked into SUB, I could see maps showing the proposed changes and university representatives ready to chat. It was clear that this was more than just a simple demolition plan — this was an opportunity to reimagine a vital part of campus.

I started by reading up on the reasons behind the demolition of the Administration Building. It’s reached the end of its useful life and was identified for removal. While no exact timeline has been set for demolition, the study explores what could take its place. It makes sense — better to plan than to end up with an empty and underutilized space.

One of the key ideas behind the project was restoring the campus to its original vision. Back in 1912, the campus master plan by Percy Nobbs and George Hyde had a large open space at the heart of the university, free of buildings. The Administration Building disrupted that vision when it was constructed, blocking what was supposed to be a grand, open gateway. Removing it would reconnect the quads, making it feel more open and inviting. The idea of being able to see clearly across campus from 114 Street to CCIS sounds pretty amazing.

What got me excited, though, was the opportunity to contribute ideas for how the new space could be used. The event was interactive; there was an open forum, sticky notes and a drawing board where students could write down suggestions. Some wanted more green space, with trees and seating areas for studying or socializing. Others, including myself, wanted to make a pathway to SAB and CAB. 

One theme that kept coming up was how to make the space usable year-round. Let’s be honest, Edmonton winters can be brutal, and there are few places on campus where students want to spend time outside during the colder months (ie there are none). Some people suggested installing a skating rink, while others focused on having good lighting, heated pathways and sheltered areas. I loved hearing these ideas because, as an international student who isn’t used to extreme winters, I know how important it is to have spaces that still feel inviting in the colder months.

Another interesting discussion revolved around making the space more inclusive. The U of A has a diverse student population, and many people at the event wanted the new south quad to reflect that. Some ideas included having Indigenous elements, such as spaces for ceremonies or storytelling, and featuring art from different cultural groups. Someone even suggested creating a dedicated area where international students could experience classic Canadian winter activities like skating or tobogganing for the first time. I thought that was a fantastic idea as it could be a great way to meet new people and feel more connected to campus life.

Of course, there were practical concerns to consider. One of the university representatives explained that while they were open to all ideas, some would be more feasible than others due to existing infrastructure. For example, the area has underground utilities and an LRT line, so anything requiring major excavation could be tricky. Still, it was nice to know that they were taking all of these factors into account while keeping an open mind about the possibilities.

One question I had was how the university planned to honour the history of the Administration Building. It may not be the most beloved structure on campus, but it’s been around for a long time, and many faculty, staff and alumni have memories associated with it. When I brought this up, a representative explained that they had been discussing ways to have elements of the building into the new space. Maybe some of the bricks could be repurposed, or perhaps there could be a subtle tribute to its legacy in the final design. While nothing had been decided yet, they were open to hearing suggestions.

Clearly, the university genuinely wanted student input, and this was just the beginning of the process. The feedback from this event will help shape preliminary concept plans, which will be presented for further discussion at a second engagement event in March. After that, the study will be compiled into a report that will guide future development when the time comes to remove the Administration Building.

While it might take years before the vision for south quad becomes a reality, it’s nice to know that students have a voice in shaping it. Walking away from the event, I couldn’t help but picture what south quad might look like in a few years: a vibrant, welcoming space where students gather, relax and experience campus life in a new way. 

And the best part? Knowing that I had a small role in helping to shape that future.


The university is holding another opportunity to share your feedback to inform the final concept design for the new plaza space!

Complete the online survey, which closes April 8, or attend an in-person open house on April 2. 

Visit the South Quad Open Space Planning Study web page to learn more.