William G. Davis Computer Research Centre (DC)
The William G. Davis Computer Research Centre, (commonly known as the Davis Centre or DC, pronounced 'dik'), is a major academic and research building on the University of Waterloo campus.
Named after former Ontario premier Bill Davis, the building was completed in 1988 and marked a shift on campus toward neo‑modern architecture featuring extensive use of glass and metal rather than the brick and concrete that dominated earlier campus buildings. In other words, DC is the only pretty building on campus.
History
Planning for the Davis Centre began in the early 1980s as computer science and related research activities at Waterloo expanded rapidly. The Institute for Computer Research (ICR), formed in 1982, soon outgrew existing facilities, and the university launched a national architectural competition to design a state‑of‑the‑art research and teaching building.
Construction began in 1985 and the building officially opened in 1988, with a formal inauguration attended by provincial leaders. The new facility was intended to support the university’s growing strengths in computing, engineering, and science.
Design
Designed by IKOY Partnerships, the Davis Centre stands out on campus for its glass and metal exterior, symbolizing the technological focus of its occupants. It was one of the first buildings at Waterloo to depart from the traditional brick and concrete aesthetic in favor of a neo‑modern style.
The building contains long internal “streets” and extensive interior glazing to bring daylight deep into workspaces. It was conceived to support flexible labs, offices, and collaborative spaces for computing, engineering, and science disciplines.
Library
The DC is a popular place to study.