Wilna Thomas Building Renovation

The Wilna Thomas Building renovation at Camosun College includes a complete transformation and upgrade of the former School of Health Sciences building on the Lansdowne Campus into a contemporary student hub that is flexible, inviting, and accessible. Structural and mechanical upgrades are included as part of the scope of the project.

The building became fully vacant when the School of Health and Human Services relocated to the College’s Interurban campus. This provided an opportunity to achieve campus-level space goals that elevate the academic lives of Camosun students and staff both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Wilna Thomas Building renovation is a continuation of the Camosun Renewal Feasibility study completed by Thinkspace and the RE-Imagine – Concept and Recommendations for the reconfiguration of the Wilna Thomas Building by Sybil Harrison. The Re-Imagine Study was an involved consultation process with various stakeholders at the college. The Re-Imagine Report established several project themes that have driven the design.

Thinkspace worked with Camosun and various stakeholder groups to envision the new student hub. The space is welcoming, introducing new ideas in teaching, and learning and support the applied learning of students and staff at Camosun. The new building also incorporates important elements of Indigenous philosophy and culture, presented in such a way as to reflect a sincere understanding of Indigenous perspectives. It also represents the delivery of the full suite of services from Thinkspace: planning, architecture, interior design, and furniture selection.