University of Guelph Long Range Development Plan, 1967- from Macklin L. Hancock/Project Planning Associates Ltd. fonds, Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library (XL1 MS A021834).

Conceptual Site Plan 1987 from Regional & Campus History Collection, Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library (RE1 UOG A1051).

With its interdisciplinary vision in mind, Project Planning Associates Ltd. prepared a bold new Long Range Development Plan for the University of Guelph which was later amended in 1967 and again in 1987. These amendments show the development of the new vision.

Of note in both the 1967 and 1987 plans are the proposed buildings around Branion Plaza, the central urban plaza intended to be the new focus of campus to the south and the addition of Complex B/South Residence.

Branion Plaza

For Branion Plaza, Zavitz Hall and Raithby House were to be torn down in order to create a modern “town square”; however, the historic Zavitz Hall and Raithby House were never demolished resulting in a more diverse, and possibly more successful urban space than originally planned. The plans also called for the plaza to be framed by five major concrete buildings all associated with prominent designers on the Canadian and international scene: MacKinnon Building and McLaughlin Library (Josep Lluis Sert, 1967 and 1968), MacNaughton Building (Morden Yolles and Eberhard Zeidler, 1969) and University Centre (Macklin Hancock, 1974).

Complex B (South Residence)

The appearance of Complex B (now South Residence) also features in these plans as a 5-module complex (1967). It was scaled down to 3 inverted “F”-shaped modules with 4 wings each when built in 1968, so the 1987 plan reflects this altered reality. Each of these modules is connected to the others at “crossroads,” creating (despite its scaled down version of the original) the largest student residence in Canada at 564,000 sq ft.