College of Engineering Opens New Adams Collaborative Engineering Studio

The College of Engineering (COE) is proud to announce the opening of the Adams Collaborative Engineering Studio (ACE Studio), a new student-focused learning environment where students will design, build, collaborate and solve real-world challenges.

Made possible by a generous gift from University of Guelph alumni Linda Adams (B.A.Sc. ’83, M.A. ’19) and Rob Adams (B.Sc.Eng. ’83), the ACE Studio will transform space within the Albert A. Thornbrough Building into a dedicated hub for first-year engineering education. Linda and Rob Adams are longtime supporters of the University who have championed student success through their philanthropy and volunteer leadership. Their latest gift reflects a continued commitment to enriching the student experience and supporting future generations of engineers.

The ACE Studio will serve as a central hands-on learning environment for ENGG*1100 – Engineering and Design I, the College’s foundational first-year engineering course. As the entry point to the University of Guelph's engineering design curriculum, the course introduces students to engineering design processes through hands-on, team-based learning and an open-ended design project that emphasizes physical design development, testing and analysis.

Students using the studio will strengthen their skills in engineering design, analysis, technical and visual communication, problem-solving, and teamwork while collaborating with peers from across engineering disciplines. The studio is designed to foster creativity, innovation, and teamwork, reflecting the collaborative nature of the engineering profession.

“The future of engineering will demand more than technical knowledge. Engineers must be able to work across disciplines, turn ideas into solutions, test assumptions, learn through iteration, and exercise sound judgment in the face of complex challenges. The ACE Studio brings that philosophy to the very beginning of the student journey. Here, students will learn engineering by doing engineering together. We are deeply grateful to Linda and Rob Adams for helping us create an environment that will inspire generations of Guelph engineers to imagine, design and build what comes next,” said Moncef Nehdi, Dean of the College of Engineering.

The creation of a dedicated first-year design studio represents an important milestone for the College as its enrolment, programs and ambitions continue to grow.

The first phase of the ACE Studio itself has been conceived as an iterative design project. The space will feature flexible workstations and collaborative learning areas while the College gathers feedback from students, teaching assistants, and faculty. That feedback will inform refinements at the end of each semester and help shape the studio’s full renovation, planned for Fall 2027.

By involving students in shaping the environment, the College is embedding the principles of engineering design into the development of the studio itself, aiming to have it designed by students for students. Students will not only learn the engineering design process but also help inform the future of a learning environment that will support generations of engineers to come.

Support for teaching and learning spaces plays a vital role in enhancing the student experience and creating opportunities for experiential learning. The Adams Collaborative Engineering Studio reflects COE's commitment to preparing future engineers with the skills, creativity and confidence to address complex challenges and make meaningful contributions to their communities and professions.