TORONTO, February 27, 2002 -- York University will officially open its new Computer Science building on Friday, March 1, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. Lorna R. Marsden, York’s President and Vice-Chancellor and Gillian Wu, Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, will preside at the event, taking place in Lecture Hall A of the new building.

Designed by Busby + Associates/Van Nostrand Di Castri Architects, the three-story, 100,000-square-foot building will house three new state-of-the-art lecture theatres and research laboratory space, and sets a new standard for energy-efficient green buildings designed for cold climate locations.

"This beautiful and environmentally friendly building has been needed for some time by our large and successful Faculty of Pure and Applied Science. Our undergraduate and graduate students in computer science will join in the research of our professors in these laboratories and take classes in well-equipped new classrooms," noted Marsden. "Opening this building now provides space for some of the new students we expect to select York's science faculty in the coming years. I congratulate the architects, the builders, designers and all those who contributed to the design and completion of this new building."

Wu said, "The new building will provide badly-needed science teaching facilities, particularly in computer science whose student population has doubled in the last ten years. It is an exciting building in which to teach and do research."

The building will feature natural light and fresh air. The new facility will require up to two-thirds less energy for heating and cooling than other buildings. Radiant heat from the sun, the earth (from air ducts below the surface), people, computers and office equipment will help to provide warmth during winter months. Cool air from open windows, the earth, and sun shades will help to moderate hot summer temperatures. Careful attention has also been given to ensure sustainable building materials are used in the construction.

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For further information, please contact:

Cim Nunn
Director, Media Relations
York University
416-736-2100, ext. 22087
cimnunn@yorku.ca
YU/027/02