Western to unveil new $47 million interdisciplinary research facility

Western University will officially open the newly constructed Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) on Friday, April 13 at 11 a.m.

The $47 million state-of-the-art research facility will house Western’s Brain and Mind Institute, BrainsCAN and the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, as well as dry laboratories, teaching and research space and a public plaza.

“Western recognizes that many of the significant problems facing humanity today are enormously complex, and that the greatest advances made in solving them often emerge at the boundaries and intersection of traditional disciplines,” says Western President Amit Chakma. “Our response to this reality has been to promote collaboration and to build operational capacity for interdisciplinary research through a series of strategic investments in selective areas of excellence. WIRB will generate an extraordinary return on those investments by providing the infrastructure we need to conduct truly world-class research and scholarship across multiple disciplines. ”

A significant percentage of building costs for Western’s newest signature seven-storey structure is supported by the Federal Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (SIF). With the SIF program support, WIRB was upgraded from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver designation to LEED gold. LEED is a rating system that is recognized as the international mark of excellence for green building in more than 160 countries.

WIRB, with a total gross area of 118,000 sq. ft., is located adjacent to the John Labatt Visual Arts Building off Perth Drive.

President Chakma and Western Provost Janice Deakin, as well as renowned researchers from the Brain and Mind Institute, BrainsCAN and the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, will be joined by Kate Young, MP London West and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport, and Peter Fragiskatos, MP London North Centre, at the official opening.

A tour of WIRB will follow the formal presentation.

Media are invited to attend the WIRB opening.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Renaud, Senior Media Relations Officer, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165, jrenaud9@uwo.ca, @jeffrenaud99

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